what are soy candles?
Soy wax is a new
alternative to paraffin wax, made from soybeans, is renewable
and cost effective. The soybean is one of the most versatile
products used today. It has been a high protein source for
millions of people for thousands of years. Soybean wax also
seems to be the most promising natural wax available.
Natural waxes such as soy waxes are gaining in popularity but
natural waxes are not new. Beeswax and tallow were used in
colonial times to produce candles. Beeswax is a great natural
alternative to paraffin, but unfortunately, to get the same
results as a soy-based candle, it is cost prohibitive to use
100% beeswax in candles.
Soy is in lots of things like body & skin care products, hair
products, crayons, paint removers, and cleaning products. The
production and burning of soy wax candles can greatly benefit
the American agricultural economy. When soy wax replaces common
paraffin wax, an estimated 60 million pounds of soy beans
will be required for annual candle production. I predict
we'll see some happy farmers!
Soy candles last three times longer than petroleum-based
candles, have an incredible scent throw with virtually no black
soot.
are soy candles really "soot free"?
Now, you may have read or heard
other candle manufacturers claim that their all natural wax
candles are "Soot Free". This is a big misconception. No candle
can be "soot free", but natural wax candles do have less soot.
The only way a candle can be soot free is if the flame is
completely blue (ie: propane torch), meaning there is 100%
combustion. Unlike other soy candle manufacturers, we are not
going to guarantee that our soybean wax is soot-free. To make a
claim such as that would be misleading, and no wax can
make that claim.
While soy wax its-self is all-natural and
will not produce the thick black soot that you see on paraffin
containers, it does produce soot - - a lighter, white soot!
Anytime you have a flame and combustion you may have soot and
anytime you add synthetics such as fragrance oils and dyes, you
will have soot. Additionally, using too large of a wick or the
incorrect wick can produce soot as well. Poor performing candles
can create more fine particulate -- like in smog -- than diesel
buses on a downtown street.
Soot can be a "white soot" that cannot be seen with the naked
eye. Soy wax will produce little black soot---you will not see
that thick black ring on the jars, nor will it do the black soot
damage to homes, but it may produce white soot. No other
manufacturer will tell you that.
Misconceptions about Fragrance Ingredients
Chemical Free?
Honestly, this is an impossible claim to make. Water is a
chemical, air is a chemical, essential oils are chemicals, and
the world as we know it is a configuration of various carbon
chains. Our fragrance chemists are committed to making smart,
responsible raw material choices and, whenever possible,
obtaining materials from renewable plant resources (also known
as essential
oils).
Our high quality fragrance
oils contain no heavy metals (such as lead), are created just
for us, using natural essential oils, aroma-chemicals, and are
balanced perfectly to both optimize our blends and to create a
clean burn!
Regarding concerns about our
fragrances, and the chemicals used to comprise them, our
fragrances have been thoroughly tested and reviewed by the
industry, multiple independent scientific panels, and
regulatory agencies in the United States and abroad.
Specifically, the key fragrance industry scientific body
comprised of leading scientists in related fields- Research
Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM)- recently conducted
a comprehensive toxicological review of all science
available on aroma chemicals used in creating fragrances and
affirmed their safety.
what are the differences between soy candles and
paraffin candles?
Some candle company's consider their candles to be "soy candles"
even though they are "blended" with paraffin wax.
Soy wax candles can be called soy candles even if they are as
little as 25% soy or vegetable wax! We urge
you to thoroughly read the label, and ask if your candles are a
"blend".
Soy Candles are made from 100% all natural waxes,
which are soy and vegetable waxes (palm plant wax is used for
our pillars).
Soy wax burns cleaner, lasts longer, holds more fragrance and
supports American agriculture. It contains no toxic chemicals or
carcinogenic compounds. Soy candles don’t put your health at risk.
Soy candles do not release the toxins that paraffin candles emit.
Soy wax candles are crafted from soy beans. That part of your
candle is absolutely all natural. Soy wax candles are not
“all-natural” when you add dyes and fragrance oils. Once you add
those two elements, your candle is no longer natural as they
both contain chemicals.
Paraffin wax is a by-product of fuel refining - specifically,
Paraffin is basically the "bottom of the barrel" even after
asphalt is extracted. Paraffin is the final byproduct in the
petroleum refining chain.
Even "food grade" paraffin contains several known carcinogens
(cancer causing agents) identified by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) - such as benzene and toulene, which are
released into the air as a paraffin candle burns. Some other air
contaminants in paraffin fumes include methyl ethyl ketone (MEK),
and naphthalene--substances found in paint, lacquer and varnish
removers.
Research suggests breathing paraffin fumes from a burning
paraffin candle in an enclosed environment, has much the same
detrimental effect as inhaling significant second-hand tobacco
smoke, or even the exhaust fumes of a small diesel engine! The
state of California, under its Proposition 65 Safe Drinking
Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, has identified at least
seven major toxins in paraffin wax.
Our soy candles are crafted out of 100% kosher, FDA certified
organic soybean wax. Our soy wax has been specially
blended and analyzed. It contains NO pesticides or herbicides
and is NOT from genetically modified crops!
Our soy candles are eco-friendly, hand-crafted and
biodegradable. Custom crafted with top-grade fragrance
oils,
we guarantee our soy candles to be the safest, most fragrant
eco-candle you'll find!
What does the
National Candle Association have to say?
It is interesting to note that the National Candle Association,
the organization that represents the candle industry in the
United States, has sent Mike
Richards, president and founder of nationally
known Candleworks Inc., a letter asking him to
cease telling the public about the dangers of paraffin. When the
American Lung Association made a similar announcement, the NCA
threatened them with legal action.
Of course, such a reaction is expected because the oil industry
has assumed a very dominant position in the candle manufacturing
business. The oil industry not only sells their byproducts to
the candle industry but also has four members sitting on the
board of the National Candle Association.
are soy candles triple scented?
With any candle, the recommended
fragrance usage is one ounce of fragrance oil or less per
pound of wax.
More is not always better and we know that "Triple
Scented" is just a sales pitch used by some candle
manufacturers.
More scent or fragrance oil does not mean more aroma.
Just like there are different grades of fuel, there are also
different grades of fragrance oils. Some contain more
"fragrance" and some contain more "fillers".
The true secret to "scent throw" as it is called in the candle
industry, is the burn quality. The scent is "thrown" from the
wax pool that is created.
Candlemaking is an art and a science. A good candle
manufacturer plans, designs, and tests their candles with their
fragrances per each candle container and size to ensure good
scent "throw" and candle performance. Each fragrance has
different "throw" qualities, and just "triple scenting" does not
mean more fragrance.
In fact too much fragrance can cause the candle wick to
mushroom, smoke when burned, and could even cause the candle
itself to combust causing shooting flames eight inches above the
candle (guess how we know that! :) ).
Divinity Soy Candles are all designed and tested to
burn properly, creating a safe, clean, and aromatic candle.
our thoughts
The fact is that Divinity Soy Candles are a cleaner
burning, healthier alternative to other scented candles. They
burn longer than paraffin by almost double in time, and burn
cooler than paraffin, creating an out of this world fragrance
experience! Our soy wax is also very creamy, opaque and
soft.
We think you will be pleased with both the appearance and the
performance of our candles. Divinity Soy Candles are made
with wax from 100% natural soybeans and contain NO UNNECESSARY
CHEMICAL ADDITIVES such as UV light reflectors and chemical wax
stabilizers! Our soybean wax contains no paraffin and therefore
no petroleum by-products! Our fragrance oils are non-diluted,
full strength scents specifically formulated for use in soy
candle wax!
We have spent an overwhelming amount of time testing each
and every type of candle we offer, to ensure our candles offer
you the best burn times, appearance, and Fragrance-ing Power!
We believe that in order to produce a quality candle, you
must start out with high quality ingredients. Sometimes, you
have to pay a little more for high quality.
