None of your beeswax (Day 37)…
When I blew out the last of my gazillion-for-$3.69 tea lites from IKEA the other day, I wasn’t sure which eco-friendly option I should replace them with. Because paraffin, a petroleum byproduct, can sometimes creep into soy candles unannounced, I went for 100% beeswax. As Grassroots says on its site, beeswax candles are non-allergenic, non-toxic and made from “the only fuel known to modern science to produce a ‘negative ion’, which when burned purifies the air.”
They were a little on the steep side ($1.50/ea, $1.25 without the metal container) but seem to last longer, and the sweet honey scent is, well, the bee’s knees. I’m not sure what the deal is with the wick — whether it’s unbleached organic cotton or whatever — but I’m also not sure that I care.
Photo at top yoinked from Grassroots; Glimma, at right, from IKEA
April 6, 2007 at 3:18 am
Beeswax IS lovely, and does burn longer. We let the kids in our homeschool co-op dip their own beeswax candles for Candlemas, and I’ve really enjoyed burning them for mealtimes. For less messy, almost instant loveliness, you can buy the honey comb type sheets of beeswax and roll them around a wick, and viola, beautiful great smelling candles.
April 6, 2007 at 1:21 pm
i just found your blog through no impact man’s blog list. i’m now a daily reader. i read an old entry - the one about the heating pad. you could find a second-hand hot water bottle and use that. it does require using hot tap water, which does mean your furnace gets fired up a bit, but, it doesn’t use elec., feels nice and comfy, and makes a satisfying “glug, glug” noise when you shift it in the bed.
April 6, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Welcome Jen! Thanks for the suggestion — I do actually own a hot water bottle but I’ve never used it. I’ve been a little intimidated when it comes to filling it. I have visions of spilling scalding water all over me. I think I might end up using that come Winter though, for sure.
April 6, 2007 at 4:23 pm
If you use a lot of these, it might be more economical to get a couple of glass votive holders - then you could order them without the little metal holders all the time! I think the glass is likely to be more recycle-friendly than the metal holders, too. Just a suggestion - I love what you’re doing!
April 6, 2007 at 8:57 pm
I heard recently that there is a shortage of bees so maybe soon they will be endangered and there wont be any beeswax!!
April 7, 2007 at 4:28 am
http://nolagreenproject.chipin.com/nola-green-project
April 7, 2007 at 4:29 am
please support a greener new orleans. the green project is struggling.
and if you donate, you have a shot at a groovy green gift bag with tons of eco swag.
it’s a total win-win.
thanks.
http://nolagreenproject.chipin.com/nola-green-project
July 31, 2007 at 12:49 am
I recently found your site and am reading through the archives.
If you’re in the Annex area, Karma Co-op sells the same tea-lites for far less - about 70 cents, I think (without the holder, but they can be re-used).