What Are Soy Candles And How Can They Be Green?

Did you know that most of the candles commonly used home decorating, aromatherapy, and mood lighting are made from artificial materials? Paraffin, the most common candle wax, is a petroleum derivative, and stearic acid, the substance that keeps paraffin from wilting, is derived from animal fat. If you're trying to reduce your fossil fuel consumption, care about factory farming, or are concerned about air quality, you may wish to switch to soy candles.

If you like ordinary wax candles, but aren't happy about the ingredients that go into them, soy candles are a great option. Wax made from soybeans was developed in the early 1990s, and is composed primarily of soybean oil, a familiar by product of soy based food production. The pollution from producing soy candles is minimal, and the ingredients are all plant based. This means that vegans, who don't wish to use beeswax or paraffin processed with animal products, and people who are worried about the environment can rest easy when they're burning soy way. However, be sure that the wax you're getting is really soy wax - many products also contain some paraffin or stearic acid for hardness. True soy wax will be fairly soft, and should be stored in a cool place to prevent melting. If you're worried about where your candle wax comes from, make sure it's the real thing.

Soy candles are entirely safe when it comes to ingredients and emissions. They're completely biodegradable, and can be used around kids and pets. They don't send off any of the fossil fuel emissions that paraffin candles might produce. This makes it easy to feel good about switching to soy wax. If you're wondering if these great candles will work as well as ordinary ones, don't be concerned. Soy based waxes melt and burn just as readily as paraffin candles, and can be made in any color or scent. You can find soy candles in most forms, including jar, taper, votive, and other popular styles. Of course, freestanding soy candles may include a hardening agent. If you don't know what's in your candle, find out before you burn.

Most soy candles don't produce soot, improving the air quality of your home. Most paraffin candles produce a subtle layer of soot, which settles on to objects in your home and even in your lungs. If you enjoy using candles around your bath, you'll also be pleased to discover that soy candles don't produce ash to fall into the water. If you're looking for a greener, cleaner alternative to your usual paraffin candles, consider soy as an option. These candles are completely biodegradable, a lot more environmentally friendly, and just as fun to use.

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