DIY Guide: Producing Wax from Plant Sources

Vegetable wax is used to make candles and other wax items.

For those who favor organic materials, creating vegetable wax is a great choice because it is biodegradable, non-toxic, and sourced from plants. Soy wax, a soft type made from soybean oil, is widely recognized. Additional vegetable waxes include carnauba, candelilla, and palm. Numerous plants, shrubs, and trees produce waxes that can be harvested for cosmetics, lotions, soaps, balms, and candles. All vegetable waxes burn cleanly, producing less smoke and soot without pollutants. As noted on The AgWeek website, waxing also helps fruits and vegetables retain moisture and guards against bruising and mold.

Step 1

Purchase soybeans in large quantities from a grocery or natural foods store. Typically, 60 pounds or one bushel of soybeans yields 11 pounds of soybean oil. When hydrogenated, soybean oil solidifies and becomes wax.

Step 2

Use a mechanical press to crush and press the soybeans, separating the meal from the oil. Bleach is required to purify and refine the oil.

Step 3

Transfer the soybeans to a hydrogenating machine. Preheat the machine to 140 degrees Fahrenheit before adding them. This initiates hydrogenation, turning the oil into soy wax. The process saturates fats and changes unsaturated fatty acids into saturated oil.

Step 4

Melt the soy wax in a pan over medium heat on the stove. Once fully melted, take it off the heat. For soy candles, you can mix in fragrance oils and dyes. Pour the wax into a jar and carefully place a wick in the center. On the first burn, trim the wick to at least a quarter-inch above the wax.