Photo: anniehp / Flickr

We use candles around our homes for many reasons. We burn candles to commemorate holidays such as Chanukah, to decorate birthday cakes, when praying and meditating or to make our homes smell good. They come in all shapes, scents, colours and sizes. Traditionally, they are made of paraffin or a mixture thereof and other oils. A better and more popular alternative are soy candles. Unlike conventional paraffin candles, soy candles do not emit harmful fumes when burning and are completely biodegradable.

What’s not to like?

There are more reasons why you should switch to soy candles. Not only do they contain completely natural, non-toxic ingredients, they also burn cleaner and with 95 per cent less soot than paraffin candles.

Another great thing about soy candles is that the wax cleans easily with just some soap and water. That’s because soy wax is water soluble therefore easily removed from fabrics and surfaces. And you can re-use soy candle-holders over and over again since they’re easily rinsed with some hot soapy water.

Soy candles also burn between 25 and 50 per cent longer than conventional candles. Fragrances are also released faster and for longer because of the cooler burning temperature.

Just like before

If you’re used to making your own candles, you can continue to do so with soy candles. All you’ll need is three pounds of soy wax, a double boiler, a tabbed candlewick, a lidded mason jar, hot glue, a candle thermometre, fragrance oil, candle dye and some craft sticks.

Begin by melting the wax in a double boiler over a medium to low heat. In the meantime, attach the candlewick to the bottom of a mason jar with some hot glue and make sure it won’t move. Let the candle wax melt but monitor the temperature (not higher than 200° Celcius) with a candle thermometer. Add one ounce of fragrance oil for each pound of wax. Add candle dye to the melted wax. Pour the wax into the mason jar and trim the candlewick to a quarter inch. Voilà, you now have your very own soy candle.

Tags: candles, fragrances