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Benefits of Soy Wax Candles

Find out about the benefits of burning soy wax candles, and what the drawbacks of soy wax are.

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Soy wax

Natural

Soy wax is vegan-friendly, made from 100% plant material, the soybean. This makes it a renewable resource. It’s also fully biodegradable and compostable. Spills can be cleaned up with simple soap and water.

Soybean on vine

Standard candle wax is made from paraffin, a petrol derivative, and other chemical additives to enhance burning. We all know the massively damaging impact of mining fossil fuels. And you are ultimately burning fossil fuels inside your home. 

While soy wax still has some carbon footprint as it is grown, manufactured, transported, and ultimately burned, it is certainly far less than paraffin wax. 

Check the label tip

More Soy Wax Benefits

Longer Burn Time

Soy wax has a lower melt point, meaning the candle doesn’t get as hot or burn as quickly compared to paraffin. This gives soy wax candles an extended candle life. Longer lasting candle = more bang for your buck.

Better air quality 

Soy wax candles produce less soot in general, and zero petro-soot. This makes for better air quality. It also makes soy wax candles better for people who suffer from respiratory conditions and allergies.

SAFER

Soy wax candles are overall much safer than their old traditional wax counterparts.

  • Lower melting point means an accidental spill won’t cause a bad burn.
  • Zero petro-soot and harmful petro-chemicals, being paraffin free.
  • Non-toxic and biodegradable. Safer to burn, safe to dispose of, with less harm to the environment and soil.
  • Non-carcinogenic. Standard candle wax usually contains known carcinogens like benzene and toluene.
Reasons To Love Soy Wax

The Downside To Soy Wax

Working with soy wax does have some drawbacks: 

FROSTING

The surface of soy wax is prone to “frosting”, which is purely an aesthetic issue and simply a natural quirk of the substance. It takes away from a perfect, shiny, smooth surface.

But nature isn’t perfect, so we like to embrace this natural occurrence and encourage you to as well.

PICTURED: Example of frosting, tiny white crystallisations that may form on the surface of soy wax candles.

Soy wax frosting

Cracks, Shrinkage and Uneven Distribution

Soy wax expands and contracts in temperature and humidity variations, which can lead to cracking or shrinkage. It takes some additives (fragrances, colours, etc) readily, while others can result in separation, uneven distribution and all sorts of variations and issues. 

Soy wax is known to be a high-difficulty level wax to work with due to these varying challenges. Pouring on one day may have different results to the next day based on uncontrollable factors like the weather.

Long Curing Time

These are problems that the experienced candle maker tackles, however, and buying from an educated chandler means that as a customer, you’ll never need to worry about these drawbacks. 

Once your candle reaches you, we have already cured it for several weeks to months and passed those hurdles. 

Some new candle makers may be unaware or unused to these quirks of this natural product, and may sell candles that have only been made a few days ago. We always ensure our candles are fully cured and stable before sale so you can be assured of a quality product.

Pouring candle wax

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