There seems to be a myriad of confusion among candle makers and candle buyers alike about candles, so I’ve decided to compile my own list of facts and myths about candles.
Facts about Candles
Soy wax burns more slowly than paraffin.
TRUE. As someone who has made both soy and paraffin candles, I can attest to the fact that soy candles burn more slowly than paraffin. I have not done studies to compute an exact percentage, but it is a truly noticeable difference.
Soy candles produce less soot than paraffin candles.
TRUE. I have made and burned both soy and paraffin candles, and can attest to the fact that soy candles product less soot. The soot from the paraffin candles I burned in college left black marks on my computer and my walls. Oops!
Natural wax candles are more eco-friendly than paraffin candles.
TRUE. Natural waxes (soy, palm, beeswax) are derived from renewable resources, whereas paraffin is derived from petroleum. Some natural wax (although not all) is derived from sustainable sources. Natural wax is biodegradable, and produces less soot than paraffin as well.
Soy candles have a poor scent throw compared to paraffin candles.
TRUE. I have made and burned both soy and paraffin candles, and it never ceases to amaze me how some fragrances just seem to vanish when added to soy wax, despite the fact that soy wax can typically hold MORE fragrance oil than paraffin. (Typical paraffin can hold 6% fragrance oil, and typical soy 9%.)
Natural wax costs more than paraffin.
TRUE. Soy wax costs more than paraffin. Palm wax costs a bit more than soy. And beeswax costs WAY more than paraffin, soy, or palm.
Myths about Candles
Soy candles do not product soot.
FALSE. Anything that burns is going to produce some amount of soot. It would be impossible not to. Soy and palm wax do produce LESS soot than paraffin.
Palm wax candles contribute to deforestation.
FALSE. It is true than some palm kernel oil is often harvested in a way that is harmful for the environment and results in deforestation, but there are groups like The Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels dedicated to sourcing sustainable palm kernel oil. I buy my palm wax from a sustainable source, thanks to the work of the Roundtable.
Essential oils are safe because they’re natural.
FALSE. Essential oils are extremely concentrated all-natural substances, which can be a health hazard if not used properly. Some of them are not even skin-safe, and can cause burning or rash when placed on the skin in concentrated form.
Melted soy wax cannot burn your skin.
FALSE. Although soy wax melts at a lower temperature (just over 100 degrees Fahrenheit) than other waxes used in candle-making, it can reach temperatures in excess of 200 degrees.
Triple-scented candles smell stronger than other candles.
FALSE. This one is counter-intuitive, but triple-scented candles are not necessarily more aromatic just because they contain more fragrance. Triple-scented candles are produced by adding more fragrance oil to a wax than the manufacturer recommends. In order to get the wax to hold more fragrance oil, additives such as stearic acid or Vybar must be added to the wax. These additives can actually hold the fragrance oil TOO well, not allowing for a good scent throw.
Buying soy candles supports American farmers.
FALSE. Although some soybeans are grown in the US, not all soybeans are. There are some soy wax suppliers that source only from American-grown soybeans, however.
Soy wax is water-soluble.
FALSE. Wax by definition is not water-soluble. Soy wax is no different than any other wax in that regard. Soy wax does have a very different character than paraffin, beeswax, or palm wax, but it is not water-soluble. It is true that soy wax can be cleaned up using soap and warm water. In fact, sometimes I just wipe really well with a dry cloth, and that does the trick.
Votives and pillar candles can be made using pure soy wax.
FALSE. Pure soy wax is too soft and sticky to form molded candles like votives or pillars. Soy votives and pillars are made using a wax that is a blend of soy and either other vegetable waxes or paraffin.
One type of wax is the best for candles.
FALSE. Each type of wax has its pros and cons. The advantages to using paraffin is that it is inexpensive and it has a good scent throw. The biggest disadvantage is that paraffin is not environmentally friendly. Soy wax is more environmentally friendly, and long-burning, but it has a poor scent throw, and it is too soft by itself to make molded candles. Palm wax is a little pricier than soy or paraffin, but it makes amazing molded candles, and it has a better scent throw than soy. My personal opinion is that it’s the prettiest of the waxes because it forms beautiful crystals in intricate patterns as it cools.
I hope you’ve found my Candle Facts and Myths interesting and informative. I plan to update it periodically as I gather more information, so please let me know what you think I’ve missed in the comments below. Adding links to credible sources would be wonderful. I’m especially interested in adding more information about beeswax candles, about which I have heard many incredible claims.
micheledodge
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