Listly by Mark Tincher
Read about all of the wonderful health, environmental, and other benefits of burning soy candles as opposed to the typical paraffin wax.
There are a number of advantages to soy candles which make them popular with consumers and people who like to pour their own candles. Although there are some clear advantages to soy candles, soy isn't a magic ingredient; these candles can still pose a fire hazard, and they can be produced in nonsustainable ways which negate their environmental advantages. If environmentally sound candles are a major concern, choose soy candles carefully to ensure that you are promoting a healthy environment.
For me, it's very easy to see why using soy wax candles and other soy products makes sense. However, maybe you simply haven't had the opportunity to try soy candles yet. I thought I'd share some of the reasons that so many people prefer soy candles over regular candles which are made from paraffin.
Holiday dinners are usually centered around family, great food, and a gorgeous table glowing with candlelight. Most people set the table with paraffin candles, but they're not really a great option.
Paraffin is made from the residue left over from oil refining. While it is good use of a waste product, it isn't good for your health or the environment. Soot from paraffin candles includes probable carcinogens toluene and benzene, as well as other toxic chemicals including methyl ethyl ketone and naphthalene. Some candles even contain lead in the wick. When it comes to candlelit dinners, soy is the way to go.
No. But there are other good reasons to use soy candles over paraffin: they're cheaper, they burn cleaner, and they're easier on the planet.
Enjoy the atmosphere and fragrances candles offer without damaging the air quality in your home. Soy candles burn more cleanly and provide a greater disbursement of fragrance throughout the home than do those made from paraffin wax. Paraffin wax is made from petroleum while soy wax is made from soybeans and is completely biodegradable.
Paraffin wax is commonly used in candles, but soy candles are another option on the market. While soy candles look and smell similar to their paraffin counterparts, they offer distinct advantages. Not all soy candles are created the same way, however. While some limit unnecessary chemicals, others include additives or are blended with paraffin wax. Read the label or ask the manufacturer if you are unsure of the ingredients in the candle.
The advantage of them is they are part of a growing market trend for natural renewable products. Soy fits that category. Soy also does not shrink. In most cases, it doesn't require topping off. Those are probably the two major advantages when working with soy.
Clean burning and long lasting. Made with a natural soy and coconut wax base and lead-free cotton wicks these candles will burn for up to 60 hours each.