Lemon Beeswax Candles

With the warm weather upon us, it’s time to enjoy the outdoors. Shady tables become our dining spots, the sun lingers longer, and we can finally feel the grass beneath our toes as honey bees buzz around.

As the sun sets, we find ourselves reluctant to head indoors. Wouldn’t it be nice to bring that golden glow of spring into our homes?“ Bees transform sunlight into wax; when we burn beeswax candles, we release that light back into the world,” as beautifully stated in Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?

Nothing creates a cozy atmosphere quite like the soft flicker of candlelight. However, many store-bought candles can release harmful toxins into the air. Did you know that paraffin candles can emit harmful substances? Some even contain lead in their wicks, which can be released into your home environment. Not exactly what you want when lighting a lavender-scented candle!

The good news is that beeswax candles offer a fantastic alternative. Not only are they free from toxic chemicals, but they also act as natural air purifiers. Here’s a little science for you:

When burned, beeswax releases negative ions that help neutralize positive ions in the air—things like bacteria, allergens, and dust. These negative ions attach to the positive particles, making them heavier so they fall to the ground instead of lingering in the air we breathe. Pretty cool, right?

And here’s another fun fact: bees must fly about 150,000 miles to gather enough nectar to produce just 6 pounds of honey, which ultimately yields only 1 pound of wax. That’s why beeswax candles can be pricier than their paraffin counterparts. But considering they burn twice as long and are free from harmful chemicals, investing in beeswax is definitely worth it.

Now for the best part: making your own candles is surprisingly simple! I’m not talking about a complicated project that takes all weekend—this can be done in just a couple of hours.

What You’ll Need

Organic beeswax (ensure it’s 100% pure to avoid any petroleum-based wax)
Lemons (or any heat-safe container you prefer)
Wooden wicks
Newspaper (to protect your work surface)
Double boiler

Instructions

Prepare Your Lemons: Cut your lemons in half and carefully scoop out the insides. You want just the peel left—make sure it’s dry and free from pulp.
Melt the Beeswax: Break your block of beeswax into smaller pieces and place them in a glass bowl over a pan filled with simmering water. Melt over medium heat.
Secure the Wicks: While your wax is melting, cut your wooden wicks to size and dip one end into the melted wax to coat it. This will help adhere it to the bottom of your lemon halves.
Add Scent (Optional): If you’d like to add a natural scent or citronella oil, stir it into the melted wax now. If you’re using glass jars instead of lemons, mix in some coconut oil with the melted beeswax to prevent cracking.
Pour the Wax: Once your beeswax is fully melted, carefully pour it into each lemon half while holding the wick steady until the wax hardens enough for it to stand on its own.
Let Them Cool: Allow your candles to cool completely—ideally for 6-12 hours for best results (though I lit mine later that same evening).
Trim Wicks: Once cooled and hardened, trim the wicks down to about half an inch.

Now you have beautiful homemade lemon-scented beeswax candles that not only look great but also help purify your air! Enjoy their warm glow and lovely fragrance while knowing you’ve created something special for your home.