Did you know about one in five people have allergic reactions to candles? They react to the chemicals in synthetic scents and paraffin wax.
It’s hard to enjoy a gathering when your guests are sneezing and wheezing. Allergic reactions can include hives, itchy eyes, coughing, and sinus pain.
The holidays are coming. It’s time for festive holiday dinners, cozy gatherings, and glowing candlelight. Next time you light a candle, consider soy to create ambiance without allergies.
Let’s take a closer look at soy wax before reviewing the benefits.
A Brief History of Soy Wax
A group of students at Purdue University invented soy wax candles in 1996. Their assignment was to create a birthday candle using a renewable resource.
The students used soybean oil. They figured out how to solidify it to make it into a candle. They won first place in the competition.
The Department of Agronomy and the Indiana Soybean Development Council hosted the contest.
The Purdue students’ invention of soy wax candles was the start of the soy candle industry.
Why is a Soy Candle Better Than a Paraffin Candle?
Processed soybean oil becomes soy wax. Most soy wax candles are container candles. The wax is softer than paraffin, so it isn’t suitable for taper candles. Soy pillar candles are possible by mixing certain additives into the wax.
Paraffin is a common wax used for candles. It’s made from oil refining residue. It’s good to reuse a waste product. But, a gasoline byproduct isn’t good for you or the environment.
Paraffin candles produce soot that contains known carcinogenic chemicals like toluene and benzene. Very old candles may even have lead or zinc in the wick.
Okay, now let’s examine the benefits of soy candles.
Soy is Healthy
When you burn one candle a year, a clean burn won’t matter too much. If you light many candles for dinner, meditation or ambiance, soy candles are a smarter choice.
Most candles are paraffin wax. Paraffin releases harmful carcinogens into your home as the candle burns. The toxins are like the emissions your car produces when burning gasoline.
Soy candles don’t release toxins into the air when burning. Soy creates about 90 percent less soot than paraffin. The wicks are cotton, paper or hemp.
Non-toxic soy candles are better for indoor air quality. They also don’t leave sooty residue on your walls or furniture.
The American Lung Association suggests paraffin wax candles are like second-hand cigarette smoke. They produce carcinogens that can harm your lungs, heart, circulatory and nervous systems.
Soy is a Natural and Renewable Source
Soy candles come from soybeans. Soybeans are grown throughout the US by local farmers. The beans are a natural and renewable source.
Paraffin is a byproduct of petroleum. Petroleum is nonrenewable and contains carcinogenic substances.
Soy wax is the first wax innovation in the candle industry in over a century. As it gains popularity it provides opportunities for American farmers.
The United States produces the most soy in the world. You support American farmers when you buy soy products.
Look for candle brands made from soy grown in a responsible way. When you buy them it helps local farmers and the businesses that process soy into the wax.
Soy wax is biodegradable and safe for the environment.
Soy Candles Burn Longer
You may pay more for a soy candle, but you get almost twice the burn time. A soy candle burns longer than paraffin due to the lower burning temperature.
Soybean wax adds quality and quantity: it burns slower and cleaner than paraffin.
Good Scents
Because soy candles burn clean they offer a cleaner scent. Soy candles don’t contain chemicals that cause allergic reactions and headaches.
Soy candles are often scented with essential oils. The scent releases over time as the candle burns slower and longer. There isn’t an initial strong scent that overpowers the room.
Unearthed Luxury Candles use fragrance scoring. Consumers choose the strength of the premium fragrance based on a scale of one to ten.
Easy Clean-Up
Removing spilled paraffin wax is a chore. Removal often involves freezing and reheat linens several times. Sometimes, it’s impossible to get out paraffin wax.
Soy is easy to clean up with soap and water. Let the spill harden, then scrape away any excess wax. Wipe the area with hot soapy water and you’re done.
Soy Won’t Ruin Your Walls or Upholstery
The soot and chemicals from paraffin candles can build up on your walls and stain the paint. It gets trapped in curtains, upholstery, and carpeting.
If you can’t remove paraffin residue it affects the air quality inside your house.
Soy is Safer
Soy wax burns at a lower temp. It won’t burn you the way melted paraffin wax does when it lands on your skin.
Soy wax tapers are hard to find because soy wax is so soft. That eliminates accidents when tapers catch a sleeve or tip over at the dinner table.
Soy wax pillar and container candles are safer and less likely to tip over. Soy candles burn at a lower temp reducing the heat factor, too.
Get Ready to Take Advantage of the Benefits of Soy Candles
Now that you know what to expect from soy candles you can reap the benefits.
Although soy candles look and smell like paraffin candles, they offer clear advantages. Most important is they burn without toxins, carcinogens or pollutants.
Soy candles won’t trigger allergies the way paraffin candles do. Plus, no soot and residue mean you won’t breathe toxic materials long after you blow out the candle.
Always read the label or consult the manufacturer when buying soy candles. Not every company makes soy candles the same way.
Some soy candles contain unneeded chemicals and additives. Make sure the soy wax is pure and not blended with paraffin wax.
When you buy natural, biodegradable soy candles you’ll enjoy beautiful candlelight. The added benefit is it’s safe for you and the environment.