When it comes to buying scented candles, you have two main choices – soy wax candles or paraffin wax candles. You’ve probably heard that soy wax is a healthier choice, but why forgo the cheap paraffin candles you pick up at the grocery store? Today we’re going to talk about soy wax benefits and discover why soy wax is a better choice for candle lovers, their families and their homes.
What is soy wax:
Soy wax is a vegetable wax derived from soy bean oil. After soy beans are harvested they are cleaned, dehulled, cracked and rolled into flecks. Oil is them extracted from the flecks and hydrogenated. In this process, unsaturated fatty acids present in the oil are saturated, thereby dramatically altering the oils melting point. It then solidifies at room temperature.
The Invention of soy wax at Purdue University marked the beginning of Pure Integrity Candles and marked the beginning of the soy wax industry:
Soy wax was invented by a group of college students at Purdue University. For a science project, the students were to develop a birthday candle using a renewable resource. They chose soy bean oil as the renewable resource. The students figured out how to solidify soy bean oil into a soy wax for candles and won first prize in a competition, sponsored by the Indiana Soybean Development Council and Purdue’s Department of Agronomy. I remember reading this article in 1998. After reading this article, I began to research this idea as an alternative for my candle making. At this time Pure Integrity did not exist yet. Actually, there was not a major soy wax candle company online yet, but soon there would be a small handful and we were one of the first soy candle companies online. There are many benefits to using soy wax.
Soy Wax burns very slowly:
Soy wax is just a great fit for candle making. We all want to enjoy our candles longer. Soy wax candles burns at a much lower temperature then its arch rival, paraffin wax. 100% soy wax candles can burn anywhere from 35% to over 50% longer than paraffin candles because soy wax has a lower melting point, making it a cooler burning temperature than paraffin wax.
Soy wax burns petro-soot free:
Soy wax is a natural product made of soybeans and derived from a vegetable. Burning a soy candle is kind of like setting a salad on fire, but much more pleasant. It is healthier and there are no petrochemicals to be released when it burns.
Paraffin wax, on the other hand, is made from petroleum. When burned, paraffin wax releases toxins into the air, such as benzene and toluene – both of which are known carcinogens. There are 11 toxins and petrochemicals that are released into the air when burning a paraffin wax candle. And whatever goes into the air goes into your lungs!
Burning paraffin produces petrochemical soot similar to that of a car engine – because burning petroleum is burning petroleum. That black soot you see on the glass of your paraffin candles? You’ll find the same thing on the tailpipe of your car.
Research has shown that emissions from paraffin wax candles contain nearly as many toxic chemicals as cigarette smoke. If you’d like to nerd out on the science of how a candle actually burns, check out this article from the National Candle Association.
Another benefit of using Soy Wax in soy wax candles is that it is a renewable, biodegradable natural resource. Great for environment, farmers and the U.S. economy:
Soy wax is made from soybeans, a natural and renewable resource that also provides jobs for American farmers. It is biodegradable. It cleans up easy with soap and water. Paraffin wax, however, is made from petroleum. It’s waste leftover from when petroleum is refined into gasoline.
Soy wax is non-toxic and does not pollute the air:
Indoor air pollution is getting more and more attention, as people discover that the air inside their homes is often more polluted than the air outside! Polluted indoor air can cause the same health problems as polluted outdoor air – asthma, respiratory irritation, eye and skin irritation, etc. Switching to cleaner-burning healthy soy candles is one way you can improve the indoor air quality in your home.
Benefits of soy wax for soy wax candles:
- Soy wax is derived from a vegetables, (soy beans), while it’s counter partner, paraffin wax is derived from petroleum (a refined a gasoline product).
- Soy wax is a natural, renewable resource.
- Soy wax is biodegradable and cleans up with plain old soap and water.
- Soy wax has a lower melting point than paraffin wax and because of this, soy candles will burn slower or longer than paraffin candles.
- Soy wax burns with zero petro soot, creating petro soot free candles. Paraffin candles burn with petro-soot.
Conclusion:
There are many environmental and health benefits of soy wax. Soy wax candles are healthier and burn longer. Pure Integrity Candles are made with 100% soy wax but what really sets us apart is our ability to get our wax to absorb a greater amount of fragrance and the fact that we use healthier fragrances. Our fragrances contain zero petroleum, paraben and phthalates. Our fragrances are wonderfully authentic and realistic. Customers tell us over and over again Pure Integrity Candles are the best scented candles they have burned and so will you! Every month add new fragrances and we offer 2 candles on sale at 20% off. Learn More About Our Candles
Yours in Health,
Teresa ,Jeff & The Pure Integrity Team
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