Soy Candles

Candle gel is made of 95% mineral oil and 5% polymer resin.  The resin is what makes the liquid turn to a more solid state.  One company’s series of gels is based on gelling hydrocarbons suitable for use in clear candle gels.  The majority of hydrocarbons found naturally occur in crude oil.  Gel candles burn longer than paraffin wax candles. 

They can be made at home or bought in a store.  If making at home, they take longer since the gel does take longer to melt and is harder to pour than paraffin wax.  The thicker the gel, the longer it takes to melt and the harder it is to pour.  The gel used to make the candle is one of three densities; low, medium, or high.  The density is important as it is used to determine the fragrance level wanted in the candle.  The more fragrance desired the higher the density is required. 

If you are wanting to put decorations into the gel, then the high density gel is needed.  Be sure all of the decorations are non-flammable items and used for decorative purposes only.  Safe items would be; glass marbles, ceramic items, seashells, stones or wax decorations.  Unsafe items would be; dried fruit, cinnamon sticks, potpourri, some resin figures, silk flowers, and any plastic items.  If you use sand at the bottom of the gel candle, be sure the wick gets put out before the flame reaches the sand.  As with any candle be sure to follow safe burning techniques and keep out of reach of children and pets. 

For a safe and healthy choice of candles to burn, try soy candles.  They are made from a renewable resource, soybeans.  There is no soot build up as they are not made from hydrocarbons.  Paraffin candles are made from petroleum by-products, the left overs of crude oil refinement.  It is the toxins in this by-product that produce the soot and cause health issues.  There are many different kinds of candles on the market today, containing all kinds of different ingredients.  The wicks are also a concern, as lead wicked candles pose a health risk.  Be sure and read your candles ingredients and what kind of wick is used before purchase.  May your new year start with a decision to be environmentally friendly and health conscious.  Have a great 2009!