| Soy candles are the modern day, "earth-friendly" | | | | soy wax from a trusted source. Because soy wax is |
| candle. If you are considering learning how to make | | | | not regulated, there is an unfortunate lack of |
| soy candles, the first place to start is learning a little | | | | consistency from one manufacturer to the next. |
| about what soy wax is and where it comes from. | | | | Another interesting point is that many people that do |
| Soy candles use a fine wax that comes from the | | | | not know how to make soy candles do not realize |
| soybean. The oil is extracted from the soybean flakes | | | | that the wax can burn just as easily as a standard |
| and is partially-hydrogenated. Soybeans can be grown | | | | paraffin candle. An interesting note about soy wax is |
| in several parts of the country, but the primary states | | | | that, unlike paraffin, it can actually be melted safely in a |
| that harvest soybeans are Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana. | | | | microwave oven. This is not something that is |
| Soybean wax is a wax like any other, but this high | | | | recommended starting out with but it is worth testing |
| quality type of wax has a reputation for burning | | | | as you become more experienced. |
| cleaner and smoother than the more traditional wax | | | | Step 3 |
| used in candle making called paraffin wax. Where a | | | | If you are planning on using scent and color you will |
| traditional paraffin candle burns black soot, the | | | | need to know how to make soy candles with dye and |
| soybean candle burns white soot. There is no | | | | fragrance oils. After the wax has been melted to its |
| escaping soot in candles, but neither white soot or | | | | proper temperature, simply remove it from the heating |
| black soot have been proven to be harmful to humans | | | | source and add your coloring dye and fragrance oils. |
| and black soot can also get on your home furnishings. | | | | Care should be taken here to ensure that you are |
| This is particularly noticeable when blowing out candles. | | | | using additives that are compatible with the soy wax |
| There is little difference in learning how to make soy | | | | that you are using. The supplier should be able to |
| candles verses traditional paraffin candles. Since all | | | | provide compatibility information here. Other than that, |
| candles contain some amount of wax (even gel | | | | the same basic rules apply to soy candles as paraffin |
| candles), it makes sense that the creation process is | | | | candles here too. You want to avoid over-scenting. A |
| very similar. | | | | little fragrance oil goes a long way; adding too much |
| How to Make Soy Candles, Step-by-step | | | | will adversely affect the burning performance of your |
| Step 1 | | | | candle. A good rule of thumb is to use 1 oz of |
| Prepare your mold and wick just as you would for a | | | | fragrance oil (FO) for 1 pound of wax. The real trick |
| standard paraffin wax candle. | | | | here is to start with a little less, and test. Once you |
| Step 2 | | | | have the exact proportions, note them down so you |
| Melt your wax in a double boiler (or substitute) to | | | | can come back to them next time. |
| approximately 160 degrees (plus or minus a few | | | | Step 4 |
| degrees). It is important to note that soy wax typically | | | | Pour your wax into your mold and set aside to cool. |
| has a lower melting point than paraffin; however, this | | | | Cooling time can vary, but around 5 hours is a good |
| can be increased depending on the addition of any | | | | starting point. Using a refrigerator can speed this |
| additives. This means that it is important to obtain your | | | | process immensely. |