Are soy candles really better than wax candles?
Nancy
Atlanta, Georgia
Dear Nancy:
Well, if you believe the peddlers of the new-fangled votives, soy candles offer a number of
benefits
over traditional wax candles.
According to Wick s Works, a candle retailer that sells beeswax, soy, and gel candles, soy
candles last 50% longer than candles made of petroleum-based paraffin, the ingredient found in
most candles. They also burn slower and cooler (helping to better distribute fragrance), are non-
toxic, less likely to trigger allergies, clean up with soap and water, and produce very little
soot
.
These factors tend to make them more animal and child-friendly than traditional candles.
Soy wax is also a favorite of environmentally conscious consumers. Made from American-grown
soybeans, it's biodegradable, a renewable resource, and from a global point of view, it "supports
the U.S. economy instead of foreign oil conglomerates."
Paraffin
wax, on the other hand, is made from petroleum and produces
carcinogens
and soot
when burned. In fact, one
air quality researcher
stated that the soot from a paraffin candle
contains many of the same toxins produced by burning
diesel fuel
. Even many of the seemingly
healthy
,
aromatherapy
candles sold today can do more harm than good.
The newly popular gel candles are also petroleum-based and, though contrary to widely
circulated emails, they are not likely to
explode
, they do pose a danger. If sufficient heat builds
up, the glass container housing the candle can shatter.
Beeswax is another popular alternative to paraffin candles. It is also less likely to trigger allergies
and does not produce toxins or soot when burned. It is generally more expensive than paraffin
but burns longer. However, some candles labeled as beeswax may also contain paraffin.
If a candle doesn't explicitly state it is
soy
on the label, it is probably a paraffin candle. Soy
candles appear more opaque with a whitish film.
No matter what type of candle you burn, it's important to remember that you are playing with fire -
- literally. The National Fire Protection Association offers a
candle safety
sheet to help you play it
safe next time you want to set the mood for a romantic evening.
Besides who would knowingly burn ROCKET FUEL inside their home???...
I don't care how good it smells.........