Paraffin vs. Soy Wax: Choosing the Right Candle for Your Home

At Wick & Spice, we believe that the right candle can transform your space, creating a comfortable ambiance for you to enjoy. A key factor in this transformation is the type of wax used to produce your candles. Let's explore the differences between the two most common types of wax, paraffin and soy, to help you make an informed choice.

Paraffin Wax: The Conventional Choice

Paraffin wax is a byproduct of petroleum refining, commonly used in candle-making due to its availability, cost-effectiveness, and strong scent throw. While paraffin candles are commonly said to release more soot along with higher amounts of VOCs than their soy wax counterparts, this seems to be due to the quality of the candle production and fragrance oil rather than the wax itself. (See the 2007 Okometric study for more information on soot and VOCs produced by both paraffin and soy wax.) As a non-renewable yet inexpensive resource, this wax choice appeals more to companies who are concerned more with cheap materials than they are with sustainable and non-toxic products. These companies often pair this inexpensive wax with other cheap ingredients like low-quality fragrance oils that contain harmful (including carcinogenic) chemicals.

Soy Wax: The Natural Alternative

Derived from soybean oil, soy wax is a renewable and biodegradable resource. Candles made from soy wax burn cleanly, producing minimal soot and little indoor air pollution. It is important to re-emphasize the importance of quality production methods and high-quality fragrance oils, which impact the overall safety of the candle more than the wax choice will. Besides differences in origin and sustainability, the biggest difference between soy and paraffin wax is that soy wax candles have longer burn times compared to paraffin candles. It is worth noting that due to the production process soy wax is slightly more expensive than paraffin wax. However, soy wax burns about 30 to 50% longer than paraffin wax, meaning that soy wax is actually cheaper per hour of burn time despite the higher initial investment.

Why Wick & Spice Chooses Soy Wax

At Wick & Spice, we are committed to sustainable, high-quality, common-sense, and safe options for enhancing your home life. Because of this, 100% soy wax as a sustainable and long-lasting alternative was the clear choice for us since it solves the problems paraffin wax presents as a non-renewable, fast-burning option. Our wax choice, combined with our careful selection of safe fragrances and meticulous testing & production process, ensures a clean burn and a healthy environment for you and your loved ones. Explore our range of handcrafted soy wax candles and discover scents that resonate with your home's unique character.

Illuminate your moments with Wick & Spice.