Are Yankee Candle Wax Melts Made From Soy?
Introducing Yankee Candle Wax Melts
Yankee Candle is one of the most popular and well-known candle brands in the United States. Founded in 1969 by Michael Kittredge, Yankee Candle started off small but grew into a major company with over 400 retail stores across the country (https://www.yankeecandle.com/yankee-candle-story.html). Though best known for their jar candles, Yankee Candle also produces a variety of wax warmer products including wax melts.
Wax melts, also sometimes called wax tarts, are small pieces of wax infused with fragrance. They are designed to be melted in an electric wax warmer, which gently heats the wax to release its aroma into the air. Wax melts offer an alternative to traditional candles, providing fragrance without an open flame. Yankee Candle’s wax melts come in a wide variety of scents from fruity to floral to seasonal specialties.
Yankee Candle wax melts are popular for their high-quality fragrances and long-lasting scent release. They allow users to easily change up their home’s aroma by switching out scents. The wax warmer method also provides more control over fragrance strength compared to burning candles. As an established leader in home fragrance, Yankee Candle aims to deliver a top wax melt experience for their devoted customers.
The Composition of Wax Melts
Wax melts are typically made from various types of wax, with the most common being paraffin wax, soy wax, and beeswax. Each type of wax has its own unique properties and advantages.
Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum. It is inexpensive and easy to work with, making it a popular choice for manufacturing wax melts. Paraffin melts easily and provides a strong scent throw. However, some find the scent from paraffin doesn’t last as long as natural waxes. There are also environmental concerns with paraffin being a byproduct of fossil fuels (Source).
Soy wax is made from soybean oil so it is a renewable and sustainable resource. Soy wax is biodegradable and burns cleaner than paraffin wax. It is soft and easy to work with. Soy wax melts tend to be less expensive than beeswax melts. The drawback is soy wax has a lower melting point so the scent may not last as long (Source).
Beeswax is all-natural wax produced by honey bees. It has a high melting point so the scent throw lasts longer. Beeswax is also renewable and biodegradable. However, beeswax can be quite expensive and difficult to work with compared to paraffin and soy waxes. The texture is also firmer than other waxes.
In addition to wax, wax melts contain fragrance oils and may also include dye for color. The fragrance oils are concentrated scents, while the dyes provide aesthetic appeal.
Are Yankee Candle Wax Melts Made from Soy?
Yankee Candle offers a variety of different wax melt products across their Scenterpiece, Clean Scents, and regular wax melt lines. When examining the ingredients lists for some of their popular scents, it appears that Yankee Candle uses a blend of paraffin and soy waxes in many of their wax melts.
For example, the ingredient list for the Clean Cotton wax melt 6-pack lists “soy wax” as an ingredient (source). The Sweet Vanilla Horchata Scenterpiece Easy MeltCups also contain soy wax (source).
While many Yankee Candle wax melts contain at least some soy wax, they generally use a blend rather than 100% soy wax. This allows them to balance qualities like fragrance throw and melting point. Using some paraffin wax helps their wax melts retain scent better when heated.
So in summary, while many Yankee Candle wax melt products do contain soy wax, they are not made entirely from soy. The company uses a blended soy-paraffin wax to optimize performance and fragrance delivery in their wax melts.
Benefits of Soy Wax Melts
Many consumers prefer soy-based wax melts over paraffin wax melts because soy wax offers several benefits. Soy wax is made from soybeans, which are a renewable and sustainable crop. Producing soy wax does not rely on petroleum like paraffin wax does. Soy wax is also cleaner burning and produces less soot than paraffin wax. According to Why Choose Soy Wax? – Wax Poetic Candle Bar, soy wax candles and melts produce up to 90% less soot than paraffin wax.
In addition, soy wax melts are non-toxic and better for health and the environment. As 4 Reasons to Choose Soy Wax Over Paraffin Wax – Happy Wax explains, paraffin wax may contain carcinogens and toxins like benzene, while soy wax does not. The clean burning nature of soy wax means less exposure to harmful pollutants. Soy is also biodegradable and better for the environment when waste wax ends up in landfills.
Many customers also prefer the natural fragrance of soy wax. It has a light, sweet scent that does not interfere with scented oils. The lower melting point of soy wax also allows more fragrance to be released when the wax is melted. Overall, soy wax provides a cleaner, safer, and more pleasant scent experience in wax melts.
Downsides of Soy Wax Melts
While soy wax melts have gained popularity for being a more natural and eco-friendly alternative to paraffin wax melts, they do come with some potential drawbacks:
Soy wax melts tend to have less fragrance throw than paraffin wax melts. The light, clean-burning properties of soy wax can result in more subtle fragrance diffusion than paraffin, which is denser and releases fragrance more strongly as it pools (source: https://www.everythingdawn.com/blogs/news/34785665-the-pros-and-cons-of-soy-wax).
Similarly, soy wax may not retain fragrance as long as paraffin wax. The natural molecular structure of soy wax can cause some fragrance oils to evaporate faster compared to paraffin (source: https://joetiehome.com/blogs/news/the-pros-and-cons-of-soy-wax-candles-what-you-need-to-know).
Soy wax melts are also more prone to frosting and sweating compared to paraffin wax melts. Temperature fluctuations can cause whitish frost marks on the surface as the wax expands and contracts (source: https://www.everythingdawn.com/blogs/news/34785665-the-pros-and-cons-of-soy-wax).
Yankee Candle’s Use of Soy Wax
Yankee Candle offers a variety of wax melts made from soy wax, often marketed as an eco-friendly, clean-burning alternative to paraffin wax. Some of their most popular soy wax melt scents include:
- Clean Cotton
- Beach Walk
- Midsummer’s Night
- Pink Sands
- Sun & Sand
These scents are part of Yankee Candle’s natural soy wax melt collection. The soy wax used is completely natural and free of dyes. It’s advertised as being eco-friendly and made in the USA.
In addition to individual melt scents, Yankee Candle also offers soy wax melt assortments and samplers so you can try a variety of fragrances. Some of their soy wax melt lines include the Bloom Scented Soy Jar Candle Wax Melts and the Retreat Scented Soy Wax Melts.
Overall, Yankee Candle has made soy wax melts a significant part of their product lineup. They market them as an eco-friendly alternative to paraffin wax melts that provides great fragrance. Their soy wax melt collection allows customers to enjoy Yankee Candle scents with a natural, clean-burning wax.
Making Your Own Soy Wax Melts
Making your own soy wax melts at home is easy and fun! Here are some step-by-step instructions for DIY soy wax melts:
1. Get the necessary supplies. You’ll need soy wax flakes, fragrance oils, dye blocks or liquid dyes (optional), a double boiler set up or a pour pot, silicone molds, mixing spoons, and a thermometer. According to How to Make Soy Wax Melts (https://jessicawellinginteriors.com/how-to-make-soy-wax-melts/), soy wax 464 is commonly used for melts.
2. Melt the wax. Use a double boiler or pour pot to slowly melt the soy wax flakes over low heat until fully liquefied. The wax should be heated to 185-200°F.
3. Add dyes and fragrance. Once the wax is melted, you can add liquid or block dyes for color. Stir thoroughly. Then add your fragrance oil, about 1 oz per pound of wax. Stir again.
4. Pour into molds. When the wax is fully blended and cooled to 135-165°F, carefully pour it into your silicone molds. Make sure to pour slowly to prevent bubbles.
5. Allow to fully set and cure. Let the molds sit overnight until the wax is completely hardened. Then gently pop the soy wax melts out of the molds. Allow them to cure for 1-2 weeks before using.
Tips for best results: avoid fragrance oils that accelerate trace, warm your molds before pouring, and store melts in an airtight container. With some simple preparation, you can easily make your own custom soy wax melts at home!
Buying Soy Wax Melts
Beyond Yankee Candle, there are many other brands that produce quality soy wax melts. When shopping for soy melts, some top brands to look for include:
- Scentsy – This brand is known for their extensive scent catalog and proprietary soy wax blend.
- Village Candles – They offer soy wax melts in fun, creative scents at affordable prices.
- Rose Gifts and Candles – A small business selling all-natural, phthalate-free soy wax melts.
- Frostbeard Studio – Specializing in book and literary-themed soy wax melts with clever scents.
Soy wax melts can be found at most craft stores, candle shops, and online retailers. When buying soy melts, look for 100% soy wax on the label, as some brands blend soy wax with paraffin or other waxes. High-quality soy has a smooth, slow melt and vivid hot throw. It’s also important to choose melts scented with natural essential oils instead of artificial fragrances.
Online stores like Etsy and Amazon offer a wide range of soy wax melt options to buy. Supporting small businesses and candle makers on Etsy can be a great way to get unique, custom-blended soy wax melts. For the best selection and prices, Amazon and large retailers like CandleScience are good options.
No matter where you buy them, quality soy wax melts should provide safe, clean-burning aroma and last many hours when warmed in a wax warmer or melter. Look for companies that use premium ingredients and have excellent reviews for their soy wax melt products.
Caring for Soy Wax Melts
Properly caring for soy wax melts can help preserve their scent and allow you to enjoy them longer. Here are some tips for storing and maintaining soy wax melts:
Store them in a cool, dark place. Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight or heat sources like appliances or heating vents, as heat can cause the scent to fade more quickly. Keeping them in a cupboard or enclosed space is ideal. Source
Allow melted wax to fully harden and cool before stacking or storing. Don’t stack melts while they are still warm or soft, as this can cause them to stick together and lose their shape. Let them sit for at least 2-3 hours after melting. Source
When warming the melts, avoid burning or scorching them. Use a low-medium heat source and don’t leave them unattended. Melting too quickly or at too high of heat can singe the wax and negatively impact scent throw. Gently warming just until melted is best.
Handle melts carefully to avoid breakage, which can reduce scent release. Don’t bend or twist melts when solid, and avoid bumping the wax too much when transporting them.
Keep all wax dust and debris cleaned up between uses. Wax particles left behind can diminish scent. Giving your warmer a quick wipe down between melts helps maximize fragrance.
By following these tips for proper storage, warming, and handling, you can extend the life of your soy wax melts and enjoy their scents longer.
The Bottom Line
After reviewing the composition of Yankee Candle wax melts and the benefits and downsides of soy wax, we can conclude that some Yankee Candle wax melt scents are made from soy wax while others use paraffin wax.
Yankee Candle confirmed that they use soy wax, but only for certain fragrances where it enhances the scent. For other fragrances, they find that paraffin wax performs better.
So in summary, not all Yankee Candle wax melts are made from soy wax. It depends on the specific scent. Yankee Candle uses soy wax selectively when they find it provides the best performance.
If you want to guarantee you’re getting a 100% soy wax melt, your best bets are to make your own at home or purchase from a vendor that specializes in soy wax melts.
