Wax dipped bears are stuffed animals hand-dipped in scented, melted wax so they hold a fragrance and freshen a room. They are decorative air fresheners, not candles, and not toys once they are dipped. With different animals, fragrances, and accessories, the project can be customized for nearly any season or occasion. The wax preparation is the same as in our How to Prepare Wax for Pouring guide; this guide focuses on the steps specific to dipping stuffed animals.
What You'll Need
What You'll Need
Check items off as you gather them
Supplies
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Dipping Wax a paraffin dipping blend such as IGI 1239 Cut N Curl, or a votive blend like IGI 4794; browse paraffin wax
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Stuffed Bear or Animal any plush with longer hair works; match it to the season or holiday
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Fragrance Oil about 1 ounce per pound of wax, from fragrance oils; choose clear or lightly tinted oils with little or no vanillin for white or light-colored plush
Tools & Equipment
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Double Boiler a pouring pot set in a saucepan of simmering water, or another controllable heat source
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Metal Tongs to dip and roll the stuffed animal
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Thick Rubber Gloves to squeeze out excess wax by hand
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Wide-Tooth Comb or Fork to comb the coat before the wax sets
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Drying Rack and Cookie Sheet a rack to drip over and a sheet to finish on
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Stirring Utensil a spatula, whisk, or spoon
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Butcher Paper or Newspaper to cover the workspace; wax drips lift off it instead of staining the surface
Skip ahead to the step-by-step guide
These Are Air Fresheners, Not Candles
A wax-dipped bear holds scent in its coat and releases it slowly at room temperature. There is no wick, and the piece is not meant to burn. Instead, it functions as a scented decorative air freshener that can be displayed on a shelf, desk, or tabletop.
Two safety points carry through the whole craft. Keep fragrance oil and melted wax away from open flames and other ignition sources to reduce the risk of fire, and never heat either over direct flame[1]. Because melted wax and the equipment that holds it can become very hot, treat the workspace the way you would around any heat source and keep it clear of anything that can catch fire[2].
The Step-by-Step Process
Cover the workspace before you start. Drips are hard to avoid, and cleanup is far easier when the wax lands on paper instead of the counter. Gather everything within reach before you begin, since you'll need to work quickly once the stuffed animal comes out of the wax.
How to Make Wax Dipped Bears
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1
Melt and scent the wax
Melt the wax in a double boiler. Once it has fully melted, mix in fragrance at about 1 ounce per pound and stir thoroughly so the scent blends evenly. If desired, stir in candle dye now so the coat matches the color of the plush and skips the dandruff look that undyed wax leaves on dark fur. Keep the wax between 170°F and 190°F. Reduce the heat so it does not climb above 200°F, as overheated wax can shrink or damage the stuffed animal.
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2
Dip and roll the stuffed animal
Hold the stuffed animal with the tongs and dip it into the wax, rolling it for about two minutes until the coat is well saturated. Work the wax into the fur so there are no bare patches.
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3
Squeeze out the excess
Lift the stuffed animal out with the tongs, then, wearing thick rubber gloves, squeeze out the excess wax. Squeeze over the pot so the runoff drips back in for the next one and you waste less wax.
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4
Comb the coat before it sets
Comb or fluff the coat right away with a wide-tooth comb, or a fork in a pinch. Longer fur needs more combing. Do this before the wax hardens, or the coat locks in place.
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5
Cool, pose, and finish
Let the wax cool to the touch, then set the stuffed animal on a cookie sheet to finish. Pose it now while the wax is still pliable. Let it stand about two hours to fully harden. Once it's completely cool, package it in a cellophane bag tied with ribbon and tuck in a care note for the recipient.
Heat Methods and Temperatures
A dedicated wax melter is not required. Several kitchen setups work, as long as you watch the temperature and let the wax cool to a safe dipping range before the stuffed animal goes in. Start low and raise the heat in small steps.
Ways to Melt Dipping Wax
| Method | How it works | Things to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Double boiler | Pouring pot set in a saucepan of simmering water | Gentle and even; keeps wax off direct heat. The water should simmer, not boil. |
| Pot-in-pot | A small pot of wax inside a larger pot of boiling water | Easy to overheat the wax for dipping, so check the temperature before use. |
| Crock pot | Low, controllable heat in the pot itself | Easy to hold a set temperature; well suited for larger batches. |
| Turkey roaster or deep fryer | Thermostat-controlled vessel | Choose the temperature directly; start slow and step up. |
Caring For and Selling Your Bears
The fragrance fades over time at room temperature. To refresh it, warm the coat for about a minute with a hair dryer on low; the gentle heat helps release more fragrance from the wax. Repeat as needed when the scent becomes less noticeable.
If you plan to sell wax-dipped animals, pricing will vary based on the size of the plush, decoration, packaging, and local market conditions.
Wax-dipped flowers use the same dip-and-scent concept on artificial flowers, making them a natural companion project. For instructions, see How to Make Wax Dipped Flowers. For more projects and tutorials, visit Step by Step Guides.