Can Soy Candles Be Scented?

Soy candles have become increasingly popular over the past decade as an alternative to traditional paraffin wax candles. Made from soybean oil, soy candles are often praised for being a cleaner burning, natural option that does not release harmful chemicals or soot into the air when burned. Scented candles allow you to fill your home with lovely fragrances and aromas. Adding scents to soy candles can provide all the benefits of soy candles while also letting you customize the candle’s aroma.

In this article, we’ll explore whether it’s possible to add scents and fragrances to soy wax candles, and how to best go about scenting soy candles to achieve the perfect aroma. We’ll cover the benefits of scented soy candles, tips for adding and blending scents, recommended scent load percentages, and the safety considerations to keep in mind when making scented soy candles. With the information provided, you’ll understand if and how soy wax can be used to make scented candles.

What Are Soy Candles?

Soy candles are candles made from soy wax, which is a vegetable-based wax produced from soybeans. Unlike traditional paraffin wax candles, soy candles are made from a renewable and sustainable resource.

The soybeans are cleaned, cracked, and undergo an extraction process to separate the oil. The oil then goes through hydrogenation, where hydrogen is added to change the chemical composition, turning the soybean oil into a solid wax.

This soy wax burns cleaner than paraffin wax. The soy wax candles have a lower melting point so they burn cooler, slower, and don’t release potential toxins into the air. Soy wax is also biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

Many people find soy wax candles to be a good option because they are made from a renewable resource. Soy candles are praised for their eco-friendly and sustainable production process.

Benefits of Soy Candles

Soy candles are made from soybean wax, which is a natural and renewable resource. Soybeans are grown annually across the United States, making soy wax an easily renewable, domestic crop (https://www.edendailyessentials.com/blogs/edendaily/6-reasons-soy-candle-are-better-for-you-the-environment-and-the-economy). This sets soy candles apart from paraffin wax candles, which are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource.

As a crop, soybeans can actually help the environment. Soybean plants absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, acting as a carbon sink. The plants also fix nitrogen in the soil so that less synthetic fertilizer is required. Soy cultivation supports domestic farmers and reduces dependence on imported petroleum. Overall, soy candles have a lower carbon footprint compared to paraffin candles.

The natural and renewable properties of soy wax make soy candles an eco-friendly alternative to traditional petroleum-based candles. When produced sustainably, soy candles represent a green, environmentally-conscious choice.

Adding Scent to Candles

There are a few main methods for adding fragrance to candles to create scented candles:

• Essential oils – These are concentrated oils extracted from plants that contain the plant’s natural fragrance. Popular options include lavender, lemon, and peppermint. Essential oils work well for scenting soy candles. They should be added at around a 3-6% ratio. (https://www.lifenreflection.com/how-to-make-scented-candles/)
• Fragrance oils – These are synthetic oil-based fragrances created for candle making. They come in an endless array of scents from fruits to baked goods. Fragrance oils are formulated to be mixed with wax and perform well in soy candles when added at 6-12% ratios.

No matter what type of fragrance you use, it’s important to carefully follow usage instructions and do test burns to achieve your desired scent throw. Essential oils and fragrance oils allow you to create soy candles with customizable, long-lasting scents.

Scenting Soy Candles

Scenting soy candles can be more difficult than scenting paraffin candles. Soy wax has a lower melting point and is more porous than paraffin wax, which makes it harder for fragrance oils to bond properly with the wax and achieve a strong scent throw (1). The soy wax can absorb the scent, resulting in a candle that smells weaker after burning halfway (2). Finding the right balance of wax to fragrance ratio is important.

When scenting soy candles, use 1-2 ounces of fragrance oil per pound of wax as a starting point. Adding more fragrance may be necessary to achieve the desired scent strength. Some tips include adding a small amount of paraffin wax to the soy wax, using scent anchors, double fragrance loads, and curing the candles. Testing different fragrance load amounts and soy wax blends is key to finding what works best (3).

With some tweaking and testing, soy candles can develop an excellent hot and cold scent throw. The natural soy wax allows the fragrance to burn cleanly for a pleasant aroma. When properly scented, soy candles can fill a room with fragrance and provide an enjoyable sensory experience.

Tips for Scenting Soy Candles

When scenting soy candles, there are a few tips to follow for optimal results:

Use a higher fragrance load – Soy wax requires more fragrance oil than paraffin wax. Aim for a fragrance load of 8-12% for soy candles. This higher fragrance load will allow the scent to properly fill the room when burning.

Choose the right wick – Pairing the proper wick size with your soy wax and vessel is crucial for getting good scent throw. A wick that is too small will not release enough fragrance as it burns. Test different wick types and sizes to find the best option.

Stir thoroughly – After adding fragrance oil, stir for 2-3 minutes to fully incorporate the scent. This helps prevent hot spots and ensures even fragrance distribution.

Allow time to cure – Give soy candles 1-2 weeks to cure before burning. This allows the fragrance to fully bind with the wax for stronger scent throw.

Avoid overheating wax – Heating the wax too high can cause fragrance loss. Heat soy wax to 175-185°F when adding fragrance.

Store candles properly – Keep soy candles in a cool, dry area out of direct light to help preserve the scent integrity.

Test and adjust – Make sample test candles to dial in the perfect fragrance percentage and wick size for your soy wax.

Most Popular Soy Candle Scents

Some of the most popular scents for soy candles include:

Florals: Lavender, rose, jasmine, and lilac are classic floral scents that lend a light, delicate fragrance to soy candles. Popular fruity floral combinations include peach rose and pear blossom. These scents evoke a sense of calm and relaxation.

Fruits: Soy candles with fruity scents like apple, mango, strawberry, and citrus are uplifting and refreshing. Lemongrass and sage add a nice herbal note that compliments fruity scents. Blaze It Candle Co. recommends appleberry as one of their top selling soy candle scents.

Spices: Warming spices like cinnamon, clove, vanilla, and nutmeg make cozy soy candle scents perfect for fall and winter. Customers tend to purchase more spiced scents like snickerdoodle and pumpkin pecan waffle during the colder seasons.

Soy Candle Scent Intensity

The intensity of a soy candle’s scent can vary greatly depending on the fragrance oil used, how much fragrance is added, container size, and burn time. Many factors influence scent throw. In general, most soy candles have a moderate to strong scent intensity when high quality fragrance oils are used at the manufacturer’s recommended levels.

According to Pure Integrity Candles, moderate scent soy candles release fragrance within 1-2 feet of the candle when burning, while strong scent soy candles fragrances can be detected within 2-3 feet [1]. Very strong soy candle scents may waft upwards of 5 feet from the candle.

Popular soy candle brand P.F. Candle Co. categorizes their candles into subtle, moderate, and strong scent strengths. Their strong scented soy candles include fragrances like Sweet Grapefruit, Pineapple Palm, and Paradise Sunset, which fill the room when burning [2].

In the end, soy wax itself does not limit scent intensity. With quality ingredients and proper wick size, soy candles can achieve excellent scent throw comparable to other candle waxes.

Safety Considerations

Like any open flame, soy candles carry some safety risks that should be properly addressed. Two key considerations are allergies and ventilation.

Some people may be allergic to the soy, essential oils, or fragrance oils used in soy candles. Those with soy allergies may experience symptoms like hives, itching, and wheezing when exposed to the proteins in soy wax. People with sensitivities to essential oils or fragrances can also have allergic reactions to soy candles containing those ingredients. It’s important to check candle labels and avoid using soy candles if you have a known allergy.

Proper ventilation is also crucial when burning soy candles. As the candle burns, it releases chemicals and particles into the air which can be irritating or even toxic if inhaled in high concentrations. Always keep windows cracked or use a fan to ensure good airflow when soy candles are lit. Don’t burn multiple candles in an unventilated room. Take breaks from burning soy candles to allow fresh air to circulate and clear out any built up irritants.

Following basic precautions like avoiding known allergen ingredients and ensuring good ventilation can allow you to safely enjoy the cozy glow of scented soy candles.

Conclusion

Can soy candles be scented? The evidence overwhelmingly points to yes. Soy wax’s natural properties make it an excellent medium for carrying and diffusing diverse fragrances with minimal effect on burn quality. With proper wicking and an understanding of scent loading rates, soy candles can be infused with custom fragrance blends to suit your preferences. From fruity and floral aromas to earthy spice or woodsy scents, the possibilities are immense. Soy wax’s low melting point allows fragrance oils to be stirred in easily while retaining a smooth wax texture. While all candles require safety precautions, soy candles give you ample room to safely explore different scent profiles and intensities. Given their clean-burning nature and versatility with scents, soy candles are an ideal choice for homemade candle-making and gifting. With creativity and care taken in scenting, soy candles can fill any space with your favorite fragrances.