Soy Candle Blog » soy wax

What’s the difference between beeswax candles and soy candles?

Louise — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 06:21:20 +0000

All candles are enjoyable and they can brighten up your home and fill it with a rich scent of your choice. There are a lot of different types of candles that are made with different types of waxes. Candles are made of paraffin wax, beeswax, and soy wax just to name a few. And today we are going to compare beeswax candles to soy wax candles so that you will know what the differences are. So let’s get started.

One of the biggest differences of the two types of candle wax is the price. Beeswax is so much more expensive than soy wax. Beeswax candles can be up to 6 times the price of soy candles depending on where you buy them from and this is why soy has become so popular in the last decade.

Another advantage that soy wax candles have over beeswax candles is that soy wax is much easier to clean up. If some wax gets spilled or is crushed on the floor soy wax can be easily cleaned up with a bit of soap and a damp cloth. Beeswax can be a nightmare if it has been allowed to dry. You will have to chip at the hardened wax and even then it may be too late for you to save whatever the wax was spilled on.

Both candles are natural and will last longer than paraffin candles. Both of these types of wax are also better for the environment and will release minimal toxins and black smoke. In terms of which candle will last longer when burned though beeswax will last longer but not by much. Both candles last a long time when they are burned but beeswax probably because it is so much harder than soy wax lasts about 10% longer when lit.

Soy candles if they are scented will smell richer and have a smell that is more natural than a beeswax candle. The scent will fill the house at a better rate and they won’t smell fake. The natural smell of the soy candle wax alone is enough to make someone choose the soy over the beeswax.

Candles are a great way to light up your home and if they are scented it is a wonderful greeting for any guest. Soy candles are so much cheaper than beeswax candles and they almost last as long when burned. The soy candle wax smells so much better too when it is scented; the soy wax adds a richness to the smell and releases the fragrance at a better rate. If you have spilled beeswax on a piece of furniture then it can be trouble. Beeswax is extremely hard to successfully remove without damaging the fabric that it was spilled on. Beeswax last a bit longer than soy candles but when you compare the prices between the two types of wax it doesn’t make sense to buy beeswax because of this reason. Soy candles are the better value and are just as good as beeswax candles.

This History Of Soy Candle Wax

Louise — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 16:20:53 +0000

Candles are a relaxing way to make your home feel more relaxing and smell delicious. In the past candles have been made from cheap and inferior waxes, such as paraffin, beeswax, and tallow (a type of fat). In the age of environmentally friendly products and alternative goods, soy wax has emerged as an environmentally friendly alternative. They burn clean and are relatively cheap. They smell delicious and last longer than conventional wax candles.

In the mid-1990s a man was interested in using a cleaner and safer candle. Michael Richards invented the beloved soy candle, because he was tired of using the same dangerous paraffin candles. Michael also tried using other oils that were vegetable based, but none were quite as effective as the soy plant.

Soy is economically friendly and environmentally friend. Beeswax is also safer, but it is quite expensive and harms bees in the process. Paraffin is made from dangerous chemicals and is a petroleum derivative. Those that have allergies and other problems may experience worse symptoms when conventional candles are being burned.

Soy candles are created by extracting the oil from soybean plants. Soybeans are then crushed and hydrogenated to create a thick waxy base – which is similar to turning soybean oils into fats. This process is simpler than using paraffin creation techniques, which leads us to believe soy wax is the candle wax of the future.

Paraffin wax has no benefits. It is difficult to remove, leaves behind ugly black soot, and stains carpets. Soy wax is biodegradable and safe for your home. No soot is left behind while burning and it doesn’t contaminate your air with toxic chemicals. Candle spills are easy to clean when it comes to soy wax as well.

When using a paraffin candle you may have noticed how quickly they burn. Soy candles are slow burning but still release a strong and delicious scent into your home. The slow burn allows your home to retain the scent for longer, while paraffin candles are often wasted.

Soy is an excellent alternative for candle making as well. They are easy to develop with fragrance and designs. The only difference is dark colorants are hard to use with soy bases. They can also be purchased at most retailers around the world, because they are so immensely popular. If candle making isn’t ideal for you, then you will find soy candles to be surprisingly cheap and easy to find

Why Choose A Soy Wax Candle?

Louise — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:28:27 +0000

Candles have been a central part of life for thousands of years. Seen burning in churches, homes and shops, candles are enjoyed the world over. For some people candles evoke memories of holidays past and time spent with family. Others find solace and relaxation in the glow and scent of a candle. Long after electricity brought light to the darkness of night, candles remain popular. During the holiday season, it seems that candles are everywhere. Television ads for everything from jewelry to perfume are filmed with a backdrop of burning candles.

Over the centuries candles have changed a great deal as technological improvements provided new materials and manufacturing techniques. Once upon a time, a standard wax candle was made from beeswax. Centuries ago, candles burning in churches and homes deposited black soot on ceilings and walls. When the Sistine chapel ceiling was cleaned a number of years ago, most of the dirt was reported to have been a thick coating of black soot. The smoke from centuries of burning candles had covered up Michelangelo’s beautiful paintings.

Over the years, candle makers have searched for new methods and materials that would allow cleaner burning candles. Beeswax has had to make room for whale oil, tallow and paraffin wax among many others. Recently however, a new candlemaking breakthrough was unveiled. Soy wax candles are now considered the next big thing in candlemaking technology.

According to the National Candle Association, all candles are made from some type of hydrocarbon and all produce some sort of soot. Among all the different types of candles, a soy wax candle is among the cleanest. Visibly identical to any other wax candle, soy wax candles can be molded, shaped and colored like any other material. When burning, a soy wax candle emits much less smoke than a typical paraffin wax candle.

Soy wax candles are made from hydrogenated soybean oil. Developed less than twenty years ago, soy wax is the latest breakthrough in modern candlemaking. Soy wax candles have been tested and shown to be cleaner burning than typical paraffin wax candles. Soy wax candles hold fragrance very well. Finally, Soy wax candles burn slower than paraffin or beeswax candles. This increases the value of the candle.

People with respiratory health problems sometimes complain that it is difficult to be around paraffin and other standard wax candles. The soot produced by a standard paraffin candle can sometimes make breathing difficult. However, soy wax candles burn cleaner and many people sensitive to candle soot have reported that soy wax candles do not bother them.

All soy candles are not alike. Soy wax can be used as the sole ingredient, or can be blended with paraffin or beeswax. Be sure to check how much soy is used in any soy wax candle you purchase. The higher the soy wax content, the cleaner and longer lasting the candle.

As if all these benefits were not enough, soy wax costs less to produce than other types of candle wax. Since it is made from a renewable source, it also supports soybean farmers. The soybean is one of nature’s miracles producing food, oil, fuel and now candles. Soy wax candles have become the new standard for cleaner burning and long lasting candles.