Why Is It Better To Use Soy Wax?

Soy wax is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional paraffin wax for candle making. Made from hydrogenated soybean oil, it offers a number of benefits over paraffin wax. Soy wax is all natural, biodegradable, and made from a renewable resource. It’s also customizable in ways that paraffin wax is not, allowing for more creativity. This article will provide an overview of the key reasons why soy wax may be a better choice for candle making than paraffin wax.

Environmental Benefits of Soy Wax

One of the main advantages of soy wax is that it is a renewable and biodegradable resource. Soybeans, the main ingredient in soy wax, are a sustainable crop that can be grown year after year. The farmland used to grow soybeans can be quickly replenished, unlike paraffin wax which is derived from nonrenewable petroleum sources.

Furthermore, soy wax is biodegradable, meaning it will break down naturally overtime without harming the environment. Paraffin wax, on the other hand, is not biodegradable and can persist in the environment. When soy wax candles burn, the small amount of wax left behind will decompose, whereas paraffin wax residues can build up in the environment over time.

For eco-conscious consumers who want to reduce their environmental impact, soy wax candles are a greener choice compared to paraffin candles. The renewability and biodegradability of soy wax makes it a more sustainable option.

Customization

One of the best parts of soy wax is how customizable it is. Soy wax can easily be blended with other types of wax, essential oils, and fragrances to create unique candle blends. The versatility of soy wax gives candle makers endless options when formulating their products.

Some of the ingredients that pair well with soy wax include beeswax, coconut wax, palm wax, paraffin wax, and more. Mixing a small amount of beeswax into soy wax can help harden the candle. Coconut wax adds an exceptional scent throw. Palm wax helps anchor scents and makes the soy wax harder. Even adding a bit of paraffin can help make the soy wax more stable.

On top of wax blending, soy wax also blends beautifully with essential oils and fragrances. The natural scent of soy wax won’t compete with oils and fragrances like some other waxes do. This makes soy wax an ideal canvas for essential oil candle making. The possibilities are endless when making soy candles, thanks to the versatility and customization soy wax affords.

Longer Burn Time

One of the major benefits of soy wax candles is that they tend to have a longer burn time than candles made from paraffin wax. Paraffin is a byproduct of petroleum that produces a lot of soot as it burns, which causes the wick to drown and the candle to have a shorter burn time.

Soy wax, on the other hand, comes from soybeans. It has a lower melting point so it liquefies into a pool as it burns. This allows the wick to continue burning evenly and completely until the end of the candle’s life. This gives soy candles an impressive burn time, often 30-50% longer than paraffin candles. Some high quality soy candles can burn for up to 80 hours!

The longer burn time means you don’t have to replace soy candles nearly as often as paraffin candles. Ultimately this can save you money while letting you enjoy your candle’s scent for many more hours.

Stronger Scent Throw

One of the main advantages of soy wax candles is that they tend to have a stronger scent throw than candles made from paraffin wax. The natural soy wax has a lower melting point and holds fragrances better than paraffin. This allows more of the aroma molecules to be released into the air when the candle is burned. With paraffin candles, some of the added fragrance gets trapped in the wax and never makes it into the air. The result is that soy candles fill the room with more fragrance using less scent additives. Their excellent scent throw means soy candles are ideal for scenting a whole room or area of your home. You’ll get more aroma for your money compared to paraffin-based candles.

Less Soot

One of the main advantages of soy wax candles is that they produce less soot and smoke than traditional paraffin wax candles. Paraffin wax is a byproduct of petroleum refining, whereas soy wax is made from soybeans, a renewable resource. When burned, paraffin wax releases more soot and black smoke into the air, which can dirty and stain walls, furniture, and other surfaces in a home. The soot released by paraffin candles may also trigger respiratory issues in some people.

Soy wax has a lower melting point and burns cooler than paraffin wax. This cleaner burn results in significantly less soot emissions. With soy candles, you don’t have to worry as much about smoke stains on your walls or health issues from breathing in candle soot. Soy wax candles leave behind less black residue as they burn down. This makes cleaning up dripped wax easier as well. For those wanting to use candles regularly without dirtying their home or lungs, soy wax is clearly the better choice over paraffin.

Natural Ingredients

One of the best things about soy wax is that it’s made from natural ingredients. The main component is hydrogenated soybean oil, which comes from soybeans. Soybeans are an agricultural crop that is grown and harvested by farmers.

After harvesting, soybean oil is extracted from the beans and then hydrogenated. This process helps convert the soybean oil into a wax with a melting point suitable for candle making. No artificial chemicals are added.

The end result is a natural wax made from a renewable and sustainable crop. Soy wax contains no paraffin, which is a petroleum product. Paraffin is not biodegradable and emits more soot when burned. Soy wax is a much cleaner option.

Cost

Typically, soy wax is more expensive than paraffin wax. Paraffin wax, made from petroleum, is the cheapest candle wax available. In contrast, soy wax comes from soybeans, which must be grown, harvested, processed, and refined. At every step of production, costs are introduced for the labor, transportation, and materials involved. This makes natural soy wax pricier compared to the highly efficient and established infrastructure for creating paraffin wax.

However, many candle makers feel the benefits of soy wax justify the small price premium. As consumers become more aware of the advantages of natural ingredients, demand for soy candles is increasing. With economies of scale, soy wax prices are gradually becoming more competitive. Still, soy wax remains more expensive per pound compared to paraffin at this time. Candle makers tend to pass this cost along through slightly higher prices for soy candles versus paraffin candles.

Availability

Soy wax is readily available from a number of wholesale suppliers that specialize in candle making materials. Many crafters and small businesses prefer soy wax because the supplies are easy to source, unlike some other niche waxes that can be hard to find. The wide availability of soy wax makes it easy for any candle maker to switch to this eco-friendly option.

Major online retailers like CandleScience and Lone Star Candle Supply keep soy wax in stock year-round in various sizes and types like container wax, pillars, votives, and more. Even large general craft stores like Michael’s sell soy wax in smaller quantities for hobbyists. The accessibility and abundance of soy wax gives candle makers flexibility and options when sourcing materials.

The broad selection of soy wax products available online or in-store makes it simple for any operation to make the switch. Crafters can easily find an ideal soy wax to suit their specific candle making needs thanks to the wide availability. Whether a business or hobbyist, soy wax can be readily obtained.

Conclusion

When comparing soy wax to paraffin wax, soy wax has many clear benefits. Soy wax is made from soybeans, a renewable and sustainable crop. Soy wax burns cleaner and emits less soot than paraffin wax. Since soy wax is made from a natural source, it gives off a better scent when burning. Soy wax provides more versatility for candle making through the ability to customize the wax. The natural ingredients in soy wax create a creamy texture that adheres to containers well and produces a nice finish on candles. Additionally, soy wax candles have a longer burn time than paraffin wax. With all of these advantages, soy wax is an excellent choice for candle making.