Homemade Soy Candles

Article by Crafty Candle Making

If you are thinking of making candles at home then the best type of wax for you to use would be Soy wax. Soy is a natural cleaner burning wax that is becoming a favorite natural wax with homemade candle enthusiasts.

This natural wax is made from the oil of soybeans, and has been around since the early 1990s, with the majority of the world’s soybeans being grown in the United States. Being a naturally grown product, soy candles are more environmentally friendly.

Benefits of soy candles include:• Cleaner Burning – Soy wax is non-toxic and burns cleaner than paraffin. • Natural Wax• Longer Burning – Soy candles burn slower than a paraffin wax candle• Holds color and scent better• Biodegradable

It is also reported that Soy candles are soot free, but no candle can be soot free, it’s just that they have less then other waxes, soy wax is also easier to clean up then paraffin, using soap and water for any mess that you make.

Although there are some good benefits of using soy candle wax to make your homemade candles, soy is a softer wax that isn’t recommended for pillar candles unless additives are added to the wax. Sometimes a soy/paraffin mix is used in these types of candles.

The benefits of using natural wax for your candles are very favorable for the homemade candle maker, and for those who are also environmentally conscious. Also being a natural resource that helps out the local farmers is also a positive thing about using soy. A lot of container candles are now being made with soy wax, some companies exclusively choosing to just use soy wax, as there tends to be a lean towards more environmentally friendly natural resources.

There is no different methods with making homemade soy candles then using other waxes besides the fact that soy melts at lower temperatures, and or course it is a softer wax, so additives may be necessary for free standing candles.

Although this wax melts at a lower temperature, it is still important to follow safety precautions, and to treat any burns as you would when using other waxes. Also always have a fire extinguisher handy in case of accidents.

If you are looking at candle making as a hobby or as a business, consider soy wax as the wax that you would use for your candles. Homemade candles containing soy wax have become very popular with today’s candle makers.