There has been a huge movement in the last few years for Americans to buy American-made items. It is partially because when you purchase goods made in a specific country – it’s that country’s economy that benefits from the purchase. In these days of economic hardships in the United States, it only makes sense for Americans to buy American to help bolster our own economy. Soy candles are a terrific way to buy American.
The American farmer plants dried soybeans as seeds each spring. Then when the growing season is finished, the American farmer will harvest the ripe soybeans. After transporting the crop of soybeans to a processing plant, the oil is extracted from the meat of the soybean through crushing the bean. The soy oil is then passed through a partial hydrogenation process which transforms it into the soy wax that is used to make candles. Soy wax is incredibly soft and creamy in texture.
Pure soy wax is extremely soft so it will not produce quality freestanding candles such as pillar candles or taper candles. In order to produce such candles, soy wax must be blended with an additive that will produce a firmer candle. The additive is almost always some other wax. Paraffin wax is very commonly blended with soy wax because it is relatively inexpensive. Vegetable waxes such as castor, palm, rice, jojoba, and candelilla, can also be blended with soy producing an all-natural candle made from renewable resources.
Soy candles are incredibly popular because of their many health benefits. Since soy candles are all-natural, they are non-toxic and burn at cooler temperatures, so are safe for both humans and pets. Due to the cooler burning temperatures, soy candles will typically burn from 20 to 30% longer than paraffin wax candles. Additionally, soy candles while not soot-free, will produce approximately 90 to 95% less soot than the paraffin wax candle. The soot, when produced is mostly white in color – and almost imperceptible by the naked eye. Occasionally, black soot is produced by soy candles, however, it is in very small amounts and is usually due to the presence of an additive such as another wax like paraffin wax. Substances such as fragrance and dyes could also potentially cause the black soot to be produced from soy candles.
Soy wax candles can hold more fragrance than their paraffin wax counterparts. Soy wax will release the fragrance with incredible ease. This means that soy candles typically are more fragrant than paraffin wax. Quite often the unlit scented soy candle will fill an entire space with a wonderfully soothing scent! Scented soy wax also carries the fragrance throughout the entire candle, so it will smell just as good at the end of its life as it does when it is brand new.
Let’s combat all of the bad American economic news by purchasing American-made soy candles. Support the American farmer, wax manufacturer, and candle makers who are your friends and neighbors by buying the soy candle. In addition to being a healthy contribution to the American economy, soy wax candles are also a healthy, natural alternative to paraffin wax candles.
