If you haven’t had the chance to use scented candles made from soy wax, or in short soy candles, instead of traditional paraffin scented candles, you’ve missed the chance to do something nice for your nose, your wallet, and your health.
In fact, soy candles are a much better option than traditional candles for many reasons.
Table of content
Soy wax is natural
Soy wax is obtained from soybean seeds (soybean meal), i.e., from the oil of these seeds, which becomes solid at room temperature.
In the process of obtaining soy wax, soybean meal is cleaned, dehulled, and ground into flakes. Through hydrogenation of soybean oil, wax is produced, and the remaining byproduct is used for animal feed.
During hydrogenation, pesticides and herbicides that may have been used in soybean farming are easily destroyed, so there are no harmful residues in the final product.
Soy wax does not contain synthetic substances, which makes it a much better alternative compared to old-fashioned paraffin wax, which is made from petroleum or oil and releases harmful substances into the air during burning.
Soy wax is non-toxic, which makes it better for both the environment and our health.
Paraffin contains benzene
A large number of well-known and mainstream scented candle brands use paraffin wax in their candles. As we mentioned, paraffin wax is obtained as a byproduct during petroleum or oil processing. As we already know, petroleum is a non-renewable resource, and therefore the price of paraffin wax is slowly rising and becoming economically unviable.
It has been confirmed that paraffin wax releases harmful particles when burned. You can read more about this topic in the following study.
A study at the University of South Carolina in 2009 confirmed that paraffin wax releases a substance called benzene, which is considered a highly carcinogenic substance.
The same study showed that soy wax has no such adverse effects.
Sojawachs ist umweltfreundlich
As we know, soy wax is made from soybean seeds. It is considered a renewable resource and has no negative impact on the environment.
On the other hand, paraffin, i.e., petroleum, is not a renewable resource.
If you are pregnant or have small children or pets, consider whether paraffin wax is the safest option for health.
Also avoid scented candles that do not specify the exact composition and origin of their ingredients.
Soy wax is easy to clean
Soy wax does not leave greasy stains like paraffin wax.
It can be easily cleaned with water and regular soap, which is a good thing if you want to reuse the container or glass after using the candle.
In this way, the possibility of recycling packaging is encouraged and environmental pollution is reduced.
Soy wax burns more slowly
Research and various experiments have shown that paraffin wax melts and burns at temperatures from 46° to 68° C.
Unlike it, soy wax melts and burns at a temperature of from 70° to 82° C
Simple math shows that soy wax lasts longer than 30% – 50%, which significantly affects economic efficiency.
Soy wax burns cleaner
Since soy wax is made from natural materials, it burns cleaner compared to paraffin wax.
It is common for people to complain of headaches when staying in a room where paraffin scented candles are burning. This is often not due to the scent or perfume commonly used in such candles, but because of the chemicals that paraffin wax releases into the air during burning.
Soy wax gives a nicer fragrance
The essential oils used to make scented soy candles have better efficiency.
Because soy wax burns slowly and gradually, essential oils are able to release a stronger fragrance and do not burn from excessive heat.
In this way, the efficiency of essential oils is maximized.
Paraffin wax melts faster and reaches higher temperatures in a shorter period of time, which results in essential oils burning due to the sudden temperature spike, making them an unused resource. For this reason, many manufacturers of paraffin wax scented candles do not even use essential oils, but perfumes instead. Perfumes are synthetic substances that tolerate heat better, but they are not healthy for us, especially for children and pregnant women.
Conclusion
We have tried to illustrate the basic differences between soy wax and other traditional waxes used in the production of scented candles through concrete examples.
From a stronger fragrance to cleaner and healthier burning, soy candles may be something you will like as a serious and healthy alternative to traditional scented candles.
What do you think about this?
Have you tried soy candles?
With smile,
Balavander
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