Candles, Holders, and Scented
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Beeswax and soy candles are becoming a popular “green” option for candle burning. More studies are proving that paraffin emits carcinogenic compounds so more and more conscientious consumers are turning to more naturally occurring materials.
Paraffin candles also emit soot - the same substance that comes from burning diesel fuel or fumes from a diesel engine. Soot particles travel deep into the lungs and obviously is not recommended at all. Tests by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) show that paraffin candles can produce more than 20 harmful substances including benzene, lead and toluene – known carcinogens. Neurotoxins and reproductive toxins have also been found in paraffin. The American Lung Association agrees.
Beeswax is a sweet, simple, renewable fuel that burns long, clean and bright. It has the highest melting point of any candle wax, which means it will burn the longest. Beeswax has also been shown to emit negative ions as it burns. Negative ions actually cleanse the air with which they mingle.
There are two main types of beeswax used for making candles: highly filtered and unrefined. Raw beeswax is beautiful and clean but unstable and unpredictable. Highly refined beeswax is consistent but the refining process removes the trademark beeswax smell. The downside to raw beeswax is the particulate matter that can clog up the wicks – so a wick might light one day and not light the next.
Soy is another marvelous alternative candle material. Soy candles are made using wax, which is hydrogenated soybean oil. Using soy as wax was invented in the early 1990s by Michael Richards who was seeking a less expensive alternative to beeswax.
Soy is also very clean burning – especially when the candle is 100% soy with no additives. If your soy candle is producing a black soot ring around the jar it is most likely not pure soy. Zinc wicks (as opposed to cotton) might also produce black soot around the jar. Keep in mind the soy still produces a little soot when it burns but it is a lot less than what burning paraffin wax produces.
Soy wax also burns slower – up to twice as long as paraffin – but not as long as beeswax. It also fills the room with a strong, lasting scent, a quality known as a “scent throw.”
You can also easily make soy candles at home. It’s easier to work with and easier to clean up than paraffin. You’ll need the following:
• 1 pound soy wax
• 1 mason jar
• 1 ounce fragrance oil
• wax dye
• 1 cotton wick
Begin by putting the soy wax in a pan and slowly heat it on medium heat until the wax is completely melted. Remove from heat. Add the fragrance oil and stir until it is completely absorbed into the melted wax. At this point you can also add dye (if you desire – not required) using the packaging directions found on the dye package. Next, gently pour the soy wax into the jar and position the wick in the center – use a pencil or other slender object to keep the wick in the center. When the wax solidifies, trim the wick to ½ inch and your candle is complete.
