Are White Barn Candles Soy Candles?
What Are White Barn Candles?
White Barn is a popular candle brand owned and operated by Bath & Body Works. The company first launched the White Barn candle line in 2003 to critical acclaim. Since then, it has grown into one of the most recognizable candle brands in the world.
White Barn sells a wide variety of candle styles, including jar candles, pillar candles, votive candles, and candle accessories. However, they are best known for their signature three-wick jar candles. These candles feature distinctive white packaging and come in a multitude of enticing fragrance blends.
Some of White Barn’s most popular candle scents include Mahogany Teakwood, Fresh Balsam, Vanilla Bean, Eucalyptus Rain, and Cucumber Melon. Seasonal collections like the Winter and Summer lines are also highly anticipated releases for White Barn fans.
What Are Soy Candles?
Soy candles are made from soy wax, a vegetable-based wax produced from soybeans. Soy wax is made by hydrogenating soybean oil, which converts the oil from a liquid to a solid wax. This natural wax alternative to paraffin wax has become increasingly popular for candle making over the past couple decades.
Some key benefits of soy candles compared to paraffin candles include:1
- Renewable and sustainable – Soybeans are a renewable crop grown by American farmers.
- Clean burn – Soy wax has a lower melting point so the wax pool burns cooler, producing less soot.
- Longer burn times – The lower melt point allows soy candles to burn slower and longer.
- Minimal petroleum – Soy wax contains no petroleum-based paraffin.
In addition to these advantages, many consumers appreciate the natural scent of soy wax when unfragranced. Popular soy candle brands include Yankee Candle, Bath & Body Works, and Village Candles, though many smaller candle makers also use soy wax.
Are White Barn Candles Made from Soy?
White Barn, a brand from Bath & Body Works, uses a proprietary soy wax blend in many of their candle lines like the core White Barn candles according to reviews (Reviewer, 2023). The specific soy wax blend recipe is kept confidential by the company. However, it’s known that White Barn incorporates soy wax, paraffin wax, food-grade wax, and proprietary fragrance oils into their wax blends to produce their signature scents and burn properties.
While the core White Barn candle line contains soy wax, some other collections like the Gentle Foaming Hand Soaps and Wallflowers use paraffin wax instead. According to the product details on their website, the popular 3-wick candles that put White Barn on the map utilize a soy-paraffin blend (White Barn, 2023). The soy content helps the wax burn cleaner and longer than pure paraffin.
In summary, White Barn relies on soy wax for their signature candles but blends it with paraffin and other waxes. They use 100% soy wax in some candles but favor proprietary soy wax blends. This gives White Barn more control over scent throw and burn time while incorporating enough soy to appeal to customers who desire natural wax.
Comparing White Barn vs 100% Soy Candles
When comparing White Barn candles to 100% soy candles, there are some key differences in burn time, fragrance, clean-up, and cost.
In terms of burn time, soy candles tend to burn longer than paraffin candles like those from White Barn. The soy wax is denser and has a lower melting point, requiring more heat to liquefy and release fragrance. This allows soy candles to burn slower and longer – generally 45-50 hours compared to 30-35 for paraffin [1].
When it comes to fragrance, soy candles tend to have better scent throw and aroma than paraffin. The natural soy wax allows fragrance oils to fully bind and disperse evenly. Paraffin can trap some fragrance, making the scent less strong or consistent [2].
In terms of clean-up, soy wax is easier to clean if a spill occurs, since it is biodegradable and won’t stain surfaces. Paraffin wax can be more difficult to fully remove if spilled and may leave residue behind.
Finally, soy candles tend to cost a bit more than paraffin, due to the higher price of soy wax. However, their longer burn times and more efficient use of fragrance make them competitively priced for the quality [2].
Soy Candle Controversy
There is some debate around the sustainability and environmental impact of soy wax for candles. Much of the world’s soybean supply is genetically modified and grown with pesticides. Large soybean farms are accused of contributing to deforestation in South America.[1] There are also concerns around the use of hexane solvents to process soy wax, which can be toxic.[2]
However, supporters argue that American-grown soy candles, especially organic soy wax, have less of an environmental impact than paraffin wax. Soy is a renewable crop, while paraffin is derived from non-renewable petroleum sources.[1] Some makers of soy candles use more eco-friendly practices, like sustainably sourced wax and cotton wicks. But it’s important for consumers to research brands and production methods.
Overall there are pros and cons to both soy wax and paraffin wax. Conscientious consumers should look for soy wax candles specifically marketed as organic, non-GMO, and sustainably produced. Reputable candle brands should provide transparency into their sourcing and production methods.
[1] https://nzcandlesupplies.nz/blogs/news/soy-candles-the-good-the-bad-and-the-mislabeled
[2] https://thecandlereview.com/blog/are-the-benefits-of-soy-candles-being-overstated/
Consumer Perceptions
White Barn candles, which are produced by Bath & Body Works, are well-loved by many candle enthusiasts. While not 100% soy wax, White Barn candles do contain a soy wax blend. Reviews of popular White Barn candles like White Woods, Salted Caramel, and Sun-Washed Citrus indicate high satisfaction with the soy candle experience.
According to a review on Candlefind.com, the White Woods scent has a “clean, crisp, outdoorsy aroma” and burns evenly leaving no waste behind (https://candlefind.com/white-woods/). The White Barn Salted Caramel candle also received a perfect 5/5 rating for burn performance and authenticity of scent on Candlefind (https://candlefind.com/salted-caramel-2/).
On YouTube, reviewers highlight the strong scents and thorough burn of White Barn candles, though some note they can produce more soot than 100% soy varieties. Overall, the soy wax blend used in White Barn candles leads to positive consumer experiences in terms of scent throw, burn time, and wax quality.
Caring for Soy Candles
Proper care is important for getting the most out of your soy candles. Here are some tips for caring for soy candles:
Trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to avoid soot and promote an even burn. Use wick trimmers designed specifically for trimming candle wicks. 1
Allow the wax pool to melt all the way to the edges on the first burn to prevent tunneling. This will help the candle burn evenly down the road. 2
Keep wicks centered as the candle burns down. Wicks that lean can create an uneven melt pool. Gently straighten wicks after each burn. 3
Burn soy candles for at least one hour per inch of diameter to allow wax to fully liquefy. Never burn for more than 4 hours at a time. 2
Allow candles to cool completely between burns, about 2-4 hours. This helps prevent wax from spilling over the container. 3
Store soy candles in a cool, dark place between burns. Light, heat and humidity can all impact candle quality over time. 1
Soy Candle Safety
When burning soy candles, it’s important to follow basic safety precautions to prevent fires or other hazards (Candle Safety: A Quick And Comprehensive Guide). Here are some key tips for safe usage of soy candles:
– Trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to avoid excessive smoke or large flames. Long wicks can create blowouts or get too hot.
– Always burn candles in a heat-resistant holder on a stable, flat surface. Glass or metal holders work best.
– Keep candles away from flammable items like curtains, books, or furniture. Leave at least 12 inches of space around the candle.
– Never leave burning candles unattended. Extinguish candles before leaving a room or going to sleep.
– Avoid moving or blowing on candles when lit. This can cause the flame to flare up or hot wax to spill.
– Use caution around children and pets, keeping candles out of reach. Never let children light candles.
– Stop burning a soy candle once there is 1⁄2 inch of wax left. The jar can get too hot as the candle burns down.
– Allow blown-out candles to cool completely before moving them. Hardened wax can help prevent spills.
– Place candles on a protected surface. The heat can damage surfaces like wood or leather.
Following basic precautions and manufacturer instructions can help make soy candle use safe and enjoyable (Soy Candle Safety & Care Tips). Proper care helps prevent fires or accidents when burning soy wax candles.
Making Homemade Soy Candles
Making your own soy candles at home is a fun DIY project that allows you to customize scents and containers. Here is a basic step-by-step guide for beginners to make soy candles:
1. Get the necessary supplies. You’ll need soy wax flakes, candle wicks, fragrance oils or essential oils, candle jars/containers, and a thermometer. Some key equipment includes a double boiler, pouring pot, and heat gun.1
2. Melt the soy wax flakes. Use a double boiler or slow cooker insert with water to melt wax at 185-200°F. Avoid overheating.
3. Add fragrance. Once wax is melted, remove from heat. Add essential oils or fragrance oils at around 6-8% of wax weight. Stir well to incorporate.
4. Prep wicks & jars. While wax cools, secure wicks to the bottom of jars using wax or glue dots. Wipe jars clean.
5. Pour wax. When wax drops to 135-140°F, carefully pour into jars. Leave room at top for second pour.
6. Top off jars. Allow candles to partially set up, then pour more wax to top off. This helps reduce sinkholes.
7. Cool & cure. Allow candles to fully harden for 12-24 hours. Curing for 1-2 weeks helps maximize fragrance.
The Bottom Line
In summary, White Barn candles are not 100% soy wax candles. While they do contain some soy wax, they also contain paraffin and other waxes. The exact wax blend used in White Barn candles is proprietary.
The pros of White Barn candles are that they have excellent scent throw and aesthetically pleasing vessel designs. The cons are that they produce more soot than 100% soy candles and are not considered as environmentally friendly. However, White Barn does offer some candles with a higher soy wax content, like their essential oil WoodWick candles.
For consumers looking for a 100% soy candle, I would recommend exploring small batch and artisanal brands that specify using all-natural soy wax. However, White Barn’s wax blend allows for a strong scent and clean burn that many consumers enjoy. It’s ultimately a personal choice based on scent preferences and priorities regarding natural ingredients.
