Beeswax Candles vs Regular Candles: What Perth Homes Should Know?
Are your evenings also incomplete without lighting a candle?
Most of us buy candles for their glow or scent, but rarely think about what they’re made of. When actually, every quality of candle from burn time to scent, depends on its composition.
If you noticed black marks on your walls, strange smells, or headaches after burning a candle, the wax you’re using can be the culprit behind it. Regular candles are made from harmful petroleum-based wax or synthetic chemicals from questionable sources.
Hence, candle lovers in Perth who want cleaner & healthier light are shifting towards beeswax candles. But are they really worth the switch & better than regular candles? Read on to find out.
Beeswax Candles vs Regular Candles
Let’s compare both wax options for your candles and find out which option to choose in terms of health & ethics.
1. Origin: Where The Wax Come From
Beeswax candles come from a completely natural and renewable source, honeycombs. When bees produce honey, they also secrete wax from special glands. Beekeepers harvest this excess wax from the hives, melt it down and filter it, without any cruelty.
So, you get clean & natural beeswax for your candle.
Regular candles, by contrast, are made from paraffin wax, which is a by-product of petroleum refining. Paraffin is chemically bleached and then treated with stabilisers, dyes, and fragrances to make it usable for candles.
Some candles also contain soy or palm wax, which aren’t harmful. But they come with other environmental concerns around deforestation or genetic modification.
2. Composition of Candles
Pure beeswax candles are made of nothing more than filtered beeswax and a cotton wick. But make sure when you search for beeswax for sale in Perth, look for 100% pure & locally sourced product.
At Swan Valley Honey, our wax is sourced from WA hives and is untouched by synthetic chemicals or pests. Means a candle free of toxins, artificial colourants, or perfumes.
While cheap regular candles contain:
- Paraffin (a petroleum derivative)
- Artificial dyes
- Chemical fragrances
- Lead or zinc-core wicks (now banned in many countries)
So, always check the composition before buying a candle.
3. Burn Time: How Long Their Light Last
Beeswax has a higher melting point around 62–65°C. Since they are difficult to melt, so, they have a much slower & steadier burn. While on the other hand, paraffin & soy wax have lower melting point & take less time to burn.
Let’s say, if you have three 50g candles of beeswax, soy wax & paraffin. Their burning time will be:
- Paraffin wax = 7-8 hours
- Soy wax: 9 hours
- Beeswax = 14-15 hours
Means, less wax is wasted by beeswax candles. You don’t need to replace them again & again and can enjoy the long-term cost efficiency.
4. Flame Quality: Bright & Warm
Beeswax burns with a brighter, more natural golden flame. The colour of the flame closely resembles sunlight, which creates a comforting and warm atmosphere. So, it is perfect for dinner tables, meditation, or relaxation.
Paraffin or soy candles produce a more blue-tinted flame that flickers or dims quickly. They also tend to form uneven pools, causing tunnelling or wax waste.
5. Soot & Indoor Smoke: Clean vs Dirty
A major difference of wax materials lies in soot production. Beeswax candles burn completely clean with no black soot or smoke (if the wick is trimmed properly).
Paraffin, on the other hand, releases:
- Black soot that stains walls and ceilings
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and toluene
- Particulates that can irritate lungs
If you’re in a small or poorly ventilated room, it is a huge concern. Switching to pure beeswax candles reduces air pollution in your home.
6. Air Quality & Allergy Effects
Beeswax emits negative ions when it burns. These ions bind with dust, pollen, mould spores, and even pet dander in the air & cause them to drop to the ground instead of floating.
This natural air purifying effect is especially helpful for:
- People with allergies
- Those with asthma or respiratory sensitivities
- Children and pets
Many customers in Perth have reported that switching to bees wax Perth options has led to fewer headaches and fresher-smelling indoor air. Paraffin, soy wax or other regular candles doesn’t contain any of such qualities.
7. Scent Experience: Natural vs Synthetic
Pure Australian beeswax candles carry a mild & warm honey scent. It comes from the nectar and pollen used by the bees to make wax. No perfumes or chemicals are needed. These candles smell just like the hives: sweet, earthy, and entirely natural.
Regular candles rely on synthetic strong fragrances, that overpower small spaces. They can trigger allergies and even headaches in some people.
8. Sustainability & Environment
Beeswax is a renewable resource. It’s produced as a natural part of beekeeping and doesn’t require deforestation or fossil fuels. Moreover, professional beekeepers don’t harm the bees in the process of wax extraction.
On the other hand, paraffin is made from oil, which:
- Depletes finite natural resources
- Requires chemical processing
- Contributes to greenhouse gases
Using pure beeswax candles online supports local bee populations, encourages sustainable farming, and reduces your environmental footprint.
9. Vegan & Ethical Considerations
Some strict vegans avoid beeswax because it’s an animal by-product. However, when harvested ethically, like at Swan Valley Honey, no bees are harmed. Our wax is collected only after bees have used it for honey storage and when hives are rotated seasonally.
Soy wax is popular among vegans as it is sourced from plants. While, paraffin and other waxes involve chemical processing or even animal-derived stabilisers.
10. Aesthetics & Home Décor
Okay, so let’s talk about the foremost concern of this digital generation, aesthetics. Local WA beeswax candles have:
- Natural golden colour
- Subtle texture
- Handmade shapes and rolled finishes
They’re perfect for rustic, eco-conscious, or minimalist homes. Regular candles also can be painted in different colours and good-looking styles. But they have a signature glossy & mass-produced appearance.
11. Price & Long-term Value
If we compare price factor, regular candles come at a very low cost. Because they are mass produced in industries. While beeswax cost more because their production is an extensive process handled with utmost care.
However, this higher upfront price is balanced when they:
- Last longer
- Purify your air
- Keep your families safe
So, they can give you long-term value than their store-bought alternatives.
Why Choose Beeswax Candles in Perth?
In Western Australia, our bees are some of the healthiest in the world. That means our beeswax for sale are free from the pesticides, chemicals and residues found in wax.
By choosing local, you’re supporting:
- WA beekeepers and pollination efforts
- Healthy bee populations
- Clean, chemical-free wax
If you’re in the suburbs of Perth or across WA, always choose local beeswax as it is handcrafted, sustainable, and ethically sourced.
Looking for cheap beeswax candles that burn longer & support your health?
Get Affordable & Quality Beeswax at Swan Valley Honey
We are the Perth’s favourite to buy honey online or any hive products.
Our beeswax is hand-crafted with the same attention to quality that goes into our 100% Australian Honey. It is made local from the hives of Western Australia, with no harm to bees during the process.
Check Out Our Beeswax for Sale
And bring the golden glow of Western Australia into your home today.
FAQs
Are bees wax candles good?
Yes, beeswax candles are one of the best choices you can make for wellness of your family. They burn longer, drip less, and produce minimal soot compared to paraffin or soy candles. They’re also non-toxic to air & emit a beautiful natural scent.
What’s so special about beeswax candles?
What sets beeswax candles apart is their purity, performance, and sustainability. They burn with a steady, bright flame and release negative ions that help clean the air. They also have a mild & natural honey scent without the need for added fragrance.
Why are people against beeswax?
People who follow a strict vegan lifestyle avoid beeswax because it’s an animal by-product. Their concern lies in how the wax is harvested and the impact on bees. If you’re also conscious about animal welfare, choose a locally sourced & ethically made beeswax like at Swan Valley Honey.
How to tell if a candle is pure beeswax?
Here are a few tips to identify pure beeswax candles:
- Smell: Pure beeswax has a light honey-like scent, even when unlit.
- Colour: It ranges from pale yellow to golden amber depending on floral source.
- Burn: The flame is steady and bright with little to no smoke.
- Labelling: Always check that it says “100% pure beeswax”.
Which is safer, beeswax or soy candles?
Both beeswax and soy are considered safer alternatives to paraffin, but beeswax edges ahead in many areas. They:
- Burns cleaner with no soot
- Purifies the air by releasing negative ions
- Doesn’t require pesticides unlike many soy crops
- Naturally scented without added oils