Soy vs. Paraffin part 1 - The sweet smell of going GREEN

I’m a candle person, of course that’s stating the obvious. So, as I go through countless candles, (as many of you do also) , the question now is: what kind do I choose, Soy or Paraffin?

This has always been a heated topic, but now with fuel costs going through the roof and global warming heating up the atmosphere, this is a debate that has gotten quite a bit more intense. Personally I must first state that I use both and I don’t have an issue with either one.

But what are the facts? If I want to go GREEN what candle do I use, Soy or Paraffin?

True or False: Soy candles are 100% natural and therefore better for the environment.

FALSE: Soy beans are 100% natural. They come from the ground. But soy wax is NOT natural. Wax does not occur anywhere in nature, it comes from a chemical process. So in order to make a soy candle, the soy bean must go through a chemical process to convert it into wax. This doesn’t just mean that soy candles are not natural, it means…NO CANDLE IS 100% NATURAL.

True or False: Soy candles do not produce soot, so they are better for your health than Paraffin.

FALSE: All candles produce soot. It is chemically impossible to burn anything with fire and not have soot (gas, exhaust, etc.) going into the air. The reason you don’t see it, is because not all soot is black. Soy candles produce mostly white soot. Unfortunately, this is just as dangerous as black soot. But soy candles CAN produce soot just as thick and dark and black as any other candle. The amount and color of the soot is dependant on the wax, the wick, the scent, the color and the wind. Whether it is made from Paraffin, Soy or Palm wax.

Tips for minimizing soot and increasing your safety:
-Do not burn a candle in a drafty area
-Keep your wick trimmed
-Do not toss used matches into your candle

I’m not knocking Soy, I think it’s wonderful! Whatever candles you decide to use, burn them safely and often.

Tune in next time for more Soy vs. Paraffin trivia where we will discuss the topic “where in the world does wax come from?”