We use candles for different things in our lives. Candles help us in various ways. They can be used for making fancy wax objects, they are used in aromatherapy, they are used for their scents, and the list continues. In as much as we use candles daily, it is a known fact that most people have no idea what candles are made from. Candles look ordinary and look like they have been made from one element only. However, the ingredients used in candle making are much complex than they appear. Candles are made from dyes, fragrances, natural soy wax, candle glassware, and other additional elements. One of the most important of these ingredients is Soy wax. Wax for candle making is known to give the candle its primary form and figure while other elements act as supportive ingredients. So, what is Soy wax?
Soy wax for making candles – What does it mean?
Soy wax is an important element of the candle making process. Wax for candle making is a type of vegetable wax that is obtained from soybean oil. This particular oil is used primarily for making candles. Soy wax is a basic candle making supply.
Soy wax is extracted from fresh soybeans that are farm-grown. The soybean crops are harvested to make soy wax. Soon after harvesting, the beans get cleaned, crushed, dehulled, before they are rolled into their flake forms. While in this flake form, the soya beans are passed through a special process and then hydrogenated.
The process of hydrogenating the oil is an important process that is used to transform some of the fatty acids (from the soya beans) from their unsaturated state straight to the saturated state. This important conversion is used to increase the oil’s melting point. It is then left to cool off at the surrounding room temperature. When the hydrogenated oil finally cools off, the soy wax is formed.
The benefits of soy wax
Because soy wax has a wide range of benefits, they are mainly used for candle making over other options. Soy wax is usually used in place of paraffin wax (the other wax for candle making) because of its many benefits. These are the following essential benefits of soy wax that make them highly preferable as essential candle making supplies.
1). They are known for candles that last for a long time: Soy wax candles last longer due to the slow-burning nature of soy wax. Whereas, soy wax costs slightly more than paraffin, the durable nature of the candles means that this extra expense is easily offset. Soy wax candles give off minimal heat which helps to sustain the scent of the candle.
2). A cleaner burning: Soy wax candles are known for their cleaner burns because they produce a lesser amount of smoke compared to paraffin candles. With soy wax candles, people that are sensitive to smoke from candles will feel at ease with candles made from soy wax. Soy wax candles ensure safer and cleaner air, especially for the elderly and young. You also have a lesser risk of smoke damaging your nearby walls, ceilings, or furniture.
3). Wax that can be cleaned up easily: The wax from soy comes with a melting point that is lower than that of paraffin. This means that any soy wax spillage can be cleaned off with hot water and soap without the need for harsh chemicals. This is an essential feature for DIY and professional candle producers as you can easily clean up your equipment with hot tap water after making your soy wax candles.
4). Easily adaptable to produce a wide range of candles: Soy wax like many waxes for candle making, can be adapted easily. Just like the paraffin wax, soy wax can e scented and coloured. They are pretty easy to work with as they can be moulded easily to various interesting designs and shapes. Soy wax readily mixes with other wax types like beeswax, to form interesting wax blends.
5). Environmentally friendly: Soy wax is obtained from a sustainable resource, soybeans. This means that the source material of soy wax is friendly to the environment. Additionally, candles made from soy was are fully biodegradable. As an essential feature of a candle to be placed indoors, soy candles are scented with the use of organic and naturally occurring oils.
6). Reduce your carbon emission footprint: If you burn a lot of candles and you opt for soy candles all the time, you are essentially minimizing your carbon emission footprint by a long shot. Candles made from paraffin wax are made from petroleum products and are generally thought of as being toxic and unfriendly to human health. Candles made from soy wax are generally preferred due to their green nature which is beneficial to human health.
7). Skin treatment: Soy wax is obtained from a plant and can be used for skin treatment. It is can be used as a natural skin moisturizer. They can help treat your skin to you the feeling that you just stepped out of a professional spa treatment parlour.
