Soy Candle Making Supplies: What Is Special About Soy?

Soy candles are a relatively new product on the market. Although they are becoming easier to find in retail establishments, they are still considered at the high end of the market. However, those that know their candles know that soy candles have advantages over paraffin candles that, for some, make the extra cost worth it.

Soy candles are healthier. Paraffin candles are a petroleum based product and burning petroleum releases a large number of harmful chemicals into the air, making them unhealthy for those with chronic breathing problems.

Soy candles have another element that makes them unique. Soy candles burn at such a low temperature and the soy has such a unique make up that they can be used as a massage oil. In fact, this is one of the newest treatments at some of the finest spas in the country.

Soy candle making supplies also have advantages over paraffin candle making products. Most soy candle making supplies are easier to handle than their paraffin counterparts. Paraffin wax comes in large blocks, which makes measuring and melting harder than soy. Soy wax comes in flakes which means that there is no trying to cut large blocks of paraffin, just simply measure out the amount that you need.

Soy candle making supplies also benefit American farmers and other industries that process the soy beans. Soy candle making supplies are just one of the environmentally friendly and healthy products produced from soy beans. There has been a lot of talk in the news lately about reducing our country’s dependence on foreign oil supplies and by using soy candle making supplies we are making a small stride toward oil independence.

When making soy candles, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, soy candle making supplies can only be used with each other, meaning that you can’t use paraffin primed wicks with soy wax or use paraffin colors in soy wax. So if you decide to make soy candles, you’ll need to buy exclusively soy candle making supplies.

Soy candles can be scented with all natural essential oils. If you are making the candles to be used as massage candles, then this is the best way to scent them. These essential oils will be absorbed through the skin providing a variety of health benefits that cannot be derived from synthetic fragrances. It is also advisable if you plan to use your candles for massage that you leave them color free. Adding color to massage candles will make the person you are massaging look like an Easter egg.

Soy candles offer a variety of benefits to the environment, the economy and the user. These are still relatively unknown products in the major market and often if you want to find soy candles, you need to purchase them mail order or through a specialty holistic or metaphysical store. If you can make your own soy candles, you’ll not only have complete control over what goes into your candle as well as it’s size and shape, you’ll also save money and in this economy that’s something everyone can appreciate.

How to Make Soy Candles: Time Saving Tips and Tricks

Candle making has been around since as early as 3000 B.C. when the Egyptians used beeswax to make candles. Today, candles are made from various waxes like beeswax, paraffin and the ever popular soy wax. Soy candles have become quite popular over the last couple of years due to people becoming more ecologically conscious.

If you want to learn the basics of how to make soy candles, you have landed in the right place. The following is a short guide to soy candle making and little tips and tricks you can use to save time so you can create your own personal "scent memory" (this happens when you smell a scent that reminds you of something from your past - preferably a good memory like Mom's homemade cookies).

What you will need for making soy candles :

Soy wax flakes, fragrance oil for your "scent memory", candle dye for color, cotton, wick, glass or metal jar and a microwave oven.

Steps for quick and easy soy candles:

Melt soy wax flakes in the microwave. Add fragrance oil and mix thoroughly with melted soy wax. Add candle dye if you want a specific color and mix well with melted soy wax. Place cotton wick into the center of the jar. Pour melted, scented and optionally dyed soy wax into the jar with the wick sticking out of the top.

Time saving tips for how to make soy candles:

Melting - Don't overheat wax in the microwave. Soy wax has a lower melting point than paraffin. Candle craters - If you have holes/craters in your soy candle after it has set, simply grab a blow dryer and heat the top layer to create a nice smooth top layer.

Your soy candle(s) should have a cloudy or creamy look when set. If you should experience more shrinkage with soy wax flakes than you like and the wax pulls away from the cotton wick, you can use the blow dryer to remedy that problem as well. You also want to make sure your cotton wick is long enough so that the pool of melted soy wax reaches from side to side for even and longer lasting burning. You can get more information on how to make soy candles online and even more tips and tricks for better soy candle making.