The main difference between Paraffin wax and Soy wax is that Soy wax is made from organic substances, whereas Paraffin wax is made from Petroleum. Soy wax releases less soot and chemicals compared to Paraffin wax when burned. Soy wax is good for you and the environment too.
Did you ever observe the black smoke released by a candle? Have you ever wondered what goes into a candle wax?
Is it safe to be burned indoors? Is it good for the environment? Is it good for your pets? Are Soy candles a gift from the heavens?
Many people have these questions in their minds. I thought I’d answer them all in this article.
Are Soy Candles better for your health?
Yes, Soy candles are better for your health compared to paraffin candles. Soy candles release less soot and toxins compared to Paraffin candles.
Paraffin candles release many known toxins. Some of them are considered to be carcinogenic. This is not ideal for humans.
Soy wax doesn’t release such toxins, it is better for humans and pets alike. Both types of wax can generate soot depending on how the candle is made and burned.
In general, Soy wax candles produce less soot and chemicals than paraffin candles. Do you know why paraffin wax releases more chemicals?
Paraffin wax is made from petroleum. Petroleum is a fossil fuel waste product. This is the same petroleum we use to produce oil and gas.
Obviously, you don’t wanna burn such candles in your home. Soy wax is made from a natural product, i.e., Soy oil. So, it is considered safer than paraffin wax.
Are Soy candles better for the environment?
Yes, Soy candles are considered better for the environment as they are made from a natural product. Soy wax is made from a renewable source too, unlike paraffin wax.
Paraffin wax is made from fossil fuel waste products. Fossil fuels aren’t renewable. Thus, the candles made from fossil fuel aren’t good for the earth too.
Soy wax is natural, thus is better for the environment compared to paraffin wax. Soy wax releases less soot and toxins.
Soy wax candles burn longer compared to paraffin candles. Soy wax burns more evenly, leaving less wax on the sides of the container. So, candle waste is reduced.
Do Soy candles produce soot?
Yes, Soy candles produce soot negligibly. Soy candles don’t produce any petro-soot, unlike their paraffin counterparts.
Indoors won’t be filled with harmful toxins when you burn Soy candles, thanks to the negligible soot it produces. No soot will deposit on your furnishing.
Soy candles can produce black soot, thanks to the additives. The soot can mainly emit due to fragrances and other factors too.
Soot emits from a candle when there’s incomplete combustion of wax. This can happen due to a variety of reasons. Remember, no candlemaker can guarantee soot-free candles.
It depends on the environment too. Cutting a large wick helps reduce soot. Adding too much scent to the candle contributes to the soot too.
Are all soy candles non-toxic?
Most Soy candles are non-toxic. It all depends on the process through which Soy wax is made.
Soy candles aren’t non-toxic entirely. They release some soot too. It’s just that they release fewer toxins than paraffin candles.
So, whichever candle you burn indoors, make sure you do it in moderation. Don’t burn scented candles all day in the hopes of ‘purifying’ the air.
Sometimes paraffin wax is added to Soy candles to make them harder, smoother, and more fragrant. Check the label when buying candles.
Are Soy candles more fragrant?
No, paraffin candles are more fragrant than Soy wax candles. This is because Paraffin candles have a stronger scent throw compared to Soy candles.
This means Paraffin candles release more fragrance into the air compared to Soy candles with the same amount of fragrance in them.
Paraffin wax burns easier and releases more amount of fragrance each time it burns. This is the reason why it is more fragrant than Soy candles.
But, paraffin candles release more soot and toxins which might interfere with the fragrance. Such toxins mask the scent.
So, this topic is debatable. In my opinion, you’re better off using Soy candles as they’re natural.
Are Soy candles better for pets?
Yes, Soy candles are better for your pets because they are completely natural. Just make sure you keep them out of your pet’s reach.
Soy candles don’t release lots of soot as Paraffin candles do. Soy candles also release negligible amounts of toxins, so your pets are safe.
Soy wax candles are made from Soybeans. The wax is made from the oil which is extracted from the soybeans using various processes.
They are not only less polluting but also break down easily if ingested by the pets.
Do soy candles give off smoke?
Yes, Soy candles do give off smoke when burned. They release way less smoke compared to paraffin candles.
Soy candles’ smoke doesn’t contain any toxins/carcinogens as regular candles do. Soy candles release soot negligibly.
Soy wax is completely free of petro-carbon soot. Paraffin wax candles produce a lot of petro-carbon soot as they are made primarily of petroleum.
Do soy candles make black smoke?
Soy candles can make black smoke. Well-made soy candles don’t produce black smoke. Black smoke is produced when the complete combustion of wax isn’t happening.
This can happen in both, paraffin and soy wax candles. This can happen due to the wick being long too.
Do Soy candles last longer?
Yes, Soy candles are known to burn 35-50% longer than paraffin candles. Soy wax burns slower than paraffin wax, lasting longer.
Soy candles leave no wax unburned. Nothing sticks to the sides of the container. So, every ounce of wax is used efficiently.
This is probably another reason why they burn longer than paraffin candles. Soy wax is denser compared to paraffin wax.
So, it burns longer than paraffin candles.
Do Soy candles burn differently?
Yes, Soy candles burn differently than paraffin candles. Soy candles take more time to burn as the wax is denser. Soy wax burns up to 50% longer than regular candles.
This is because Soy wax has a lower melting point than regular wax. It burns at a lower temperature and doesn’t burn as quickly as paraffin.
Soy wax doesn’t burn pretty, it leaves bumpy spots on the top after burning. This happens because the hot wax is cooling at different temperatures.
This is a good indicator that the wax is completely natural.
Do Soy Candles clean the air?
No, Soy candles don’t clean the air per se. They produce fewer toxins compared to regular paraffin candles.
Soy candles don’t produce as much soot as paraffin candles. This is the reason why it’s better to light Soy candles indoors.
Paraffin wax is made from petroleum, which is extracted from fossil fuels. This is why a variety of chemicals are released when paraffin candles are burnt.
These are all the reasons why Soy candles are better for the environment and us in general.
The Soy Candle industry supports the local farmers
The U.S. is the greatest producer of Soybeans. So, by buying Soy wax candles you’re probably supporting the local farmers indirectly.
Soy wax is made from Soy oil which is extracted from the Soybeans. The industry allows them to make money and scale their agricultural operations.
Why buy paraffin candles and promote the petro-chemical when you can support the local farmers by buying naturally made Soy candles?
Which wick is best for soy candles?
Use L or XL size wicks in pure Soy candles. The performance of the candle depends on the amount of fragrance, dye, and type of wax.
You might think wicks aren’t a big deal. Trust me, they need more attention than they get. Try to use organic wicks whenever possible.
Regular scented candles have wicks that are made from Zinc or Lead. Make sure the wick is made from unbleached cotton.
Why should you only burn Soy candles?
I am not here to convince you to burn more Soy candles. No, don’t burn them often. Use Soy candles, but in moderation.
They’re not a gift from the heavens. They have their disadvantages. They emit soot too. They release chemicals too, although negligibly.
The thing is, they are better than paraffin candles. They are not the best. In my opinion, Beeswax candles are the best.
It all depends on what you want out of the candle. Try to decrease your carbon footprint as much as possible. Cheers!
