DIY Cranberry Floating Candle That Is Eco-Friendly

Today I will share how to make beautiful cranberry floating candles that are eco-friendly.

One of the things we love about the seasons is the scents. However, when your favorite holiday scents are filled with toxic chemicals, it just doesn’t make sense to use them. But don’t worry, you won’t have to go without.

Synthetic fragrances and petrochemicals are now being recognized as allergy and asthma triggers as well as neurotoxins. If you are plugging or burning your favorite holiday scent, you are releasing these toxins into the air and polluting it.

“Chemical sprays, plug-ins and gels for home perfuming are hugely popular but investigators warn that they can include an array of hazardous substances which may cause lung damage and tumors, interfere with our hormones and cause such lifelong problems as asthma.” (source)

But here’s the good news, making your own DIY candles is crazy simple and they make great gifts!

By incorporating seasonal food with your floating candles, you bring a natural element into your décor that is visually stunning and eco-friendly. As an added bonus you can eat your decorations!

Not that you would want to of course but I’m sure your livestock would appreciate it for a treat after you’re done using it for decorating.

Getting Started Making Floating Candles

Making a floating candle really isn’t much different than making a regular candle. The process is exactly the same and the only difference is picking the wax and the vessel. And the best part is you can make these floating candles cheap- perfect for hostess gifts, teacher gifts and more! 

Supplies

• Glass, microwave safe bowl you can dedicate to candle making. Or you can use a small sauce pan that you will only use for candle making.
• Cranberries
• Clear Drinking Glasses or Vase
• Silicone Mold or Tea Light Cups
• Cotton Wick
• Candle Wax
• Greenery

Floating Candle Wax

There are several different types of wax you can use. If you want your floating candles to float on their own without using a tea light container, you will need to use a wax that will hold up and not get too soft in the burning process such as bees wax.

Beeswax is 100% all-natural wax

Soy Wax is a 100% all-natural wax made from hydrogenated soybean oil that is available in several forms, including soy wax flakes.

Palm Wax Another type of 100% all-natural wax, palm wax is produced by hydrogenating palm oils.

Wick

For the wick, you will want to use a cotton wick that has the tab for candle making.

Molds or Tea Light Cups

If you are using soy wax you will want to use a tea light candle cups. If you are using bees wax or palm wax you can use a silicone mold. In my pictures I used a regular tea light candle cup because I used soy wax.

Floating Candles DIY Instructions

1. Place wax in your glass bowl and place in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time.
2. Check to see if the wax has melted.
3. Cook for 30 seconds more if the was needs more time to melt.
4. Cut wick just ¼” above the top of your mold or tea light cup.
5. Pour one drop of wax into the bottom of your mold or cup
6. Place wick on wax to hold in place
7. Pour wax into mold/cup and fill to top
8. Let dry

To make the Cranberry Floating Candles

• Gather a couple of clear glasses or candle votive.
• Fill with water ¾ the way to the top.
• Add just enough cranberries to cover the top.
• Place your floating candle in the middle of the cranberries.
• Cut some fresh greens to adorn the base

Light your candles and enjoy!

Floating Candle Cautions

• Don’t place the candle near anything flammable.
• Always use caution when burning candles and do not leave unattended.
• Make sure to house the candle in a non-flammable container.
• Use a lighter instead of a match as it will take a while to light.

If you would like to enjoy some more cranberry goodness this season, you need to try our Cranberry Orange Muffins.

Have you ever made floating candles before? Would you like to try these easy DIY cranberry floating candles? Be sure to pin this for later!

This is a guest post by Amber Bradshaw of My Homestead Life. Amber is an environmentalist, homesteader, garden and outdoor enthusiast. She is a wife, mother of three. Amber owns a contracting business with her husband, was President of the local Herb Society for the last three years, a 4-H Leader, Blogger and runs a CSA. Amber strives to get back into nature with a more sustainable and self-reliant lifestyle that fits a busy schedule and a tight budget. She lives on the east coast with her family on a little over 1/4 acre and encourages others to do big things with small spaces. 

When not out in the garden you can find her sharing her latest homestead tips at My Homestead Life, on Facebook, on Pinterest or Instagram.