Soy Candles

Soy is not a magic ingredient and soy candles if not handled properly can still pose a fire hazard.  If you are looking for an environmentally sound candle, a soy candle is an excellent choice.  Soy candles are made from natural soy wax which is a derivative of soy, developed in the early 1990’s.  Soy has an advantage over paraffin, a petroleum product, as soy is a renewable resource.  Soy wax is also cheaper than beeswax.  Beeswax is another all-natural wax alternative.  Soy doesn’t have a rich natural fragrance but it can be used as a carrier medium for essential oils.  By using soy with essential oils you can create scented soy candles.

Soy candles are non-toxic and produce much less soot than many other candles.  If you have pets or children then soy candles are a good choice for the above reasons.  Soy candle wax is easier to clean up than other waxes, just use soap and water.  Soy candles are more expensive than paraffin, but they have a longer burn life thus out weighing their cost.  Soy candles are however cheaper than beeswax candles, since soy is easy to produce to meet the demand.  You can enhance the ecological advantages of soy candles by using recycled packaging and eco-friendly wicks made from recycled materials.

If you are making your own candles, soy wax has a lower melting point thus making it easier to work with.  You can also suspend dried leaves or flowers in your creation soy candle.  Soy wax when used with essential oils is a great medium.  The slower burn time of soy wax allows a slower release of the essential oils, allowing a gradual build up of the fragrance, rather than an overwhelming odor like that produced with paraffin candles.  Soy candles are durable and longer burning that come in a variety of colors, styles, and scents to meet the needs of your home and office.  Store soy candles in a cool dry place to prevent melting or destabilization of the soy wax, until you are ready to burn them.