Advantages of Soy Candles

Soy wax is created by hydrogenating soybean oil. Soy candles are made from this natural wax. Regular candles are made from paraffin wax, which comes from petroleum. Paraffin candles contain up to 11 carcinogenic compounds which have been identified as “toxic air contaminants” by the state of California. There are many other advantages of soy candles over paraffin wax candles.

Soy wax is a renewable, all natural wax made from soy beans. Beeswax is also renewable (made by bees) and all natural, but it is expensive compared to soy wax. Soy wax drips and spills can be easily cleaned with hot soapy water, and paraffin drips are extremely difficult, if not impossible to remove from textiles or furniture. Soy wax is a clean burning natural wax, and burning it does not increase the CO2 level in the atmosphere. When paraffin candles burn, soot is produced. Soot makes an unhealthy coating on walls and items in a room. Soy candles burn with about 90% less soot than paraffin. Soy candles can last as much as 50% longer than paraffin candles, and paraffin candles usually do not burn completely.

Soy wax accepts and disperses scents more efficiently than paraffin wax. The hydrogenation process of soybean oil lowers the melting point of the candle. Because the melting point is lower, there is a larger pool of melted soy wax around the wick. The pool of melted soy wax is where the scent oils evaporate and provide aroma.

Soy candles are not only an environmentally friendly alternative to paraffin based candles, they make economic sense, too. Soy wax is made in America from American grown soy beans, which supports American farmers instead of foreign oil producers.