4 Benefits Of Natural Soy Wax Candles

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Natural soy wax candles are becoming increasingly popular these days with more consumers realising that they have significant benefits and are introducing them into their homes, favouring them over the more traditional beeswax or paraffin wax alternatives. Soy wax candles are made from soybeans, a renewable resource that offers numerous

advantages compared to the traditional paraffin wax candles. The process of going from humble soybean to pure candle begins with the harvest of soybeans, which are then processed to extract the oil. The oil is hydrogenated, converting liquid oil into a solid wax that burns cleanly and holds fragrance well.

These candles are relatively new compared to other candle ingredients. Developed during the early 1990s as a replacement for paraffin wax, a petroleum-based product, scientists at Purdue University were searching for environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional candle material when they discovered the viability of soybean oil.

This article aims to raise awareness to the many benefits of soy wax candles, for you, your home and the environment...

Benefits Of Natural Soy Wax Candles #1 - Health

When it comes to personal health advantages, soy wax candles have many. Compared to the combustion of paraffin candles that release likely toxins upon burning, soy candles are clean-burning with little or no soot. Paraffin is a petroleum byproduct that can release carcinogenic substances like toluene and benzene when burned. These toxins have been linked to respiratory problems, allergic reactions, and other related health problems when used in the long term. Soy candles do release small amounts of these chemicals, however, so they're still not perfect for individuals with respiratory sensitivities, allergies, or asthma.

The clean-burning nature of soy wax produces less airborne particulate matter in your home. Paraffin candles, on the other hand, deposit black soot on walls, ceilings, and furniture over time. This soot is not just unsightly—it contains those same potentially toxic chemicals being vented into your air. Soy candles produce roughly 90% less soot than paraffin, leaving indoor air cleaner and reducing the need for other surface cleaning in areas where candles are being used. Soy candles also provide another health-beneficial benefit in the form of a longer burning time. Soy wax is softer than paraffin and therefore burns more gradually and longer—typically 30-50% longer than an equally sized paraffin candle. Burning longer, you'll have to light fewer candles during the same period of time, which translates to less waste, and less exposure to the activity of lighting and putting out candles, where the most particles are released.

Benefits Of Natural Soy Wax Candles #2 - Home Interiors

From a home interiors perspective, soy candles have many useful advantages over paraffin candles. Their lower melting point not only means longer burn time, but the cooler wax pool as well. With this lower heat, soy candles are safer, especially in homes with children or animals where accidents are more likely to occur. Soy wax, when spilled, is much easier to clean up than paraffin. It can be wiped off most surfaces with soap and hot water, while paraffin usually must be scrubbed off and dissolved with chemical solvents. Scent throw (the term for how much a candle gives off scent) is another area in which soy wax excels. The eco-friendly burning characteristics of soy allow it to create a cleaner smelling experience, especially when burned with essential oils rather than synthetic fragrances.

Users report that soy candles release a softer and more natural smell that fills a room without being overpowering or having a chemical odour. This makes them perfect for creating a warm atmosphere without the chemical undertones of paraffin candles. Visually, soy wax will be a beautiful creamy colour even when not lit. It will be more matte in appearance than the shiny appearance of paraffin, looking newer and more classy-looking. Soy wax will burn more consistently, reducing the "tunneling" effect where wax becomes stuck on the sides of the container as it burns down the center. Soy candles look as lovely as they were new for the rest of their life with neat and neatly trimmed wicks.

Benefits Of Natural Soy Wax Candles #3 - Environment

The environmental advantages of using soy candles are in many ways their most appealing quality in our more environmentally aware world. Soybeans are a renewable crop that can be replanted infinitely, unlike the petroleum in paraffin, which is a depleted resource. Soybean plants also improve the world as they are growing, absorbing carbon dioxide and emitting oxygen into the air. The biodegradable nature of soy wax is one wherein spilling or throwing away soy wax will simply break down in the environment without causing any damage. This is a direct opposite of paraffin, which contains compounds that linger around in the environment. Soy candle producers also employ recycled containers and green packaging, thus reducing the footprint on the environment even further. Once you are finished with using a soy candle, the container can typically be drained and reused or recycled, creating less waste.

Benefits Of Natural Soy Wax Candles #4 - Sustainability

The sustainability element even extends into the production process itself. Producing wax from soybeans requires less energy and produces fewer emissions than producing paraffin by refining petroleum. The overall lifecycle from bean planting to wax processing to burn time for a soy candle has a carbon footprint several times smaller than that of a paraffin candle. Most handcrafted soy candle producers take it a step further with their environmental commitment by adding other eco-friendly ingredients to their candles. Cotton wicks and paper wicks substitute for lead-core wicks. Plant-based essential oils provide the fragrance without synthetic chemicals employed in man-made fragrances. Some companies even recycle materials used for packaging or have carbon-offset programs to decrease their impact further on the environment.

The rising popularity of natural soy candles is another welcome measure in consumer awareness of the products we use within the home. In choosing soy over paraffin, we are making a choice that is beneficial to our health, makes our homes better, and supports sustainable living. The slightly higher price of quality soy candles is outweighed by their burn time and the numerous benefits they provide. As more consumers become aware of these benefits, clean-burning, earth-friendly candle options continue to grow, encouraging more companies to move toward sustainable practices and materials.