Beeswax Bloom: Love It, Hate It…or Wondering, What Is It?

You may notice your Greentree Home candles bloom after they have been sitting in one place for a while. Bloom refers to the frosty, crystalline layer found on the surface of beeswax. A bloom on your candles is good news – that means they are 100% pure beeswax!

Beeswax is made up of fatty acids, hydrocarbons, and esters. This composite of materials creates that gorgeous element which is so durable & firm when cool – yet becomes soft, pliable, & even turns to liquid, when heated. As the fatty acids in beeswax shift, some rise to the surface, creating the effect which we call bloom.

"I'm really enjoying the natural, vintage look of my beeswax candles." Blooming happens naturally over time – sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly – and can be accelerated by cold temperatures or frequent changes in temperature. The coveted joy of beeswax candle-lovers, many of the candle-makers here at Greentree have to admit, we love a good bloom on our candles. The appearance of bloom will differ, from opaque white to a translucent film, depending on the color of the beeswax. Sit back, relax & enjoy the bloom!

"I miss that shiny look the candles had when they were new." We hear you! Here are a few ways you can return beeswax to its original shine: 1. Gently rub the surface of your beeswax product using a clean, cotton rag. The heat from your hands will help polish away the bloom. 2. You can also use a hair dryer on a low setting, or another gentle heat source. 3. Beeswax bloom may disappear naturally if you leave your candles in a warm, sunny environment. Just remember...the bloom will be back!

BUSY BEE TIP: Unlike many natural elements, beeswax magically does not decay over time. The color from the dye in your beeswax candles may fade, but the beeswax itself? Made to last. So, if you have some old beeswax – or beeswax candles – lying around, you can melt the wax down & use dyes, molds, or whatever supplies you have at home to create a new beeswax object! Heat is the key to changing the form, look, or shape of beeswax. Get creative to stay sustainable.

BEE SUSTAINABLE! Is beeswax part of your sustainability practice? Do you love the look of beeswax blooming too, or have any tips you want to share on how to remove the bloom? Let us know in the comments below.