Many different types of wax can be used to produce scented candles. Each type of candle wax has different properties, making some better at holding and transmitting fragrance while others excel in burning slowly and producing a smoke-free flame.
Types of wax
From all I have read, I concluded that many candle companies use paraffin because it is cheap, easy to use, and furthermore, paraffin has an excellent scent throw. It also needs less fragrance oil which makes it cheaper to produce. That is a win-win situation, you might think. Well, not for me!
Paraffin Wax
Paraffin wax is a petroleum by-product that is created from the sludge waste when crude oil is refined into gasoline. Most candles are made of paraffin wax, which produces toxic benzene and toluene when burned (both are known carcinogens). In fact, the toxins released from paraffin candles are the same as those found in diesel fuel fumes.
Beeswax
Beeswax is probably the oldest candle-making wax. Some say that it is the best wax for candles. Beeswax candles were even found in the ancient pyramids. Bees produce beeswax as a by-product of the honey-making process.
The bees excrete the wax into combs to incubate their larvae. Since it is infused with honey during its creation, it has a naturally sweet fragrance that varies slightly depending on the flowers or plants the bees are feeding on. Beeswax is a hard wax with a high melt point. Sometimes this could create a feeble flame or causes the wick to drown. Some also claim that beeswax does not hold on to scent as well as some other waxes.
Soy wax
Soy wax is vegetable wax and renewable; it is also eco-friendly. From all the natural waxes, soy wax is my number 2 of my favorite waxes. Soy wax is a processed form of soybean oil. Soy wax has a lower melting point than paraffin wax, which means that it dіѕtrіbutеs frаgrаnсеѕ and ѕсеntѕ slightly less than paraffin candles. Thе low melting роіnt trаnѕlаtеѕ tо сооlеr burning longer-lasting саndlеѕ. Also, does it has a larger-sized liquid wax pool. Even though, all these benefits, I decided not to work with soy wax for the production of Candle Salon candles at this stage of my company. The reason for that is because soybean plantations also strongly contribute to Climate change and threaten the climate. Soy cultivation is a major driver of deforestation in the Amazon.
Rapeseed Wax / Brassica Wax
My all-time favorite wax is Brassica wax (originally called rapeseed wax). Brassica Napes flower is a vibrant bright yellow flower crop commonly seen in France, UK, and also in the Netherlands. It blooms in the summer. It is used to create animal feed and biodiesel, for example, and has been traditionally used to protect the soil where they are cultivated.
"Because of its high nectar, Brassica seeds are an amazing bee population support."
I choose this wax from the Brassica napes flower for Candle Salon candles because it is produced in Europe, completely sustainably with no intensive farming or deforestation issues, and free of GMO.
Brassica wax is cruelty-free and non-hazardous to both humans & wildlife. The small yellow crops already serve to produce rapeseed oil and to feed animals. It has the lowest carbon footprint and does not create toxins when burned. All this makes our candles completely natural and safe for your environment. It wasn't a difficult decision to go for Brassica wax. Brassica wax suits my company's philosophy the best.
Which Candle Wax Burns the Longest?
Soy wax is often thought to have the longest burn period, but each year new, improved candle wax formulations using new chemicals are discovered, allowing for even slower burning candles.
The amount of time your candle burns is heavily influenced by elements such as where you burn the candle, the temperature of the room, the aroma oils, the wick, and the container the candle is in, among many others, making it difficult to predict how long your candle will last.
Which Candle Wax Gives The Best Scent Throw?
Currently, paraffin waxes are thought to be the best for producing a powerful aroma, which is why many high-end businesses continue to utilize paraffin wax in their candles. While paraffin wax may have reigned supreme for the previous decade or two, emerging natural waxes such as soy, coconut, and rapeseed wax are improving year after year and are poised to take over in the near future.
Is Candle Wax Harmful?
To begin, don't eat your new scented candles — they don't taste as wonderful as they smell! While many candles are created with non-toxic food-grade paraffin wax, a substance commonly used in the manufacture of cosmetics and food, we don't encourage taking the risk.
When certain waxes are burned, they emit trace amounts of chemicals. When paraffin wax is burnt, it emits certain volatile organic chemicals into the atmosphere. While this should not be a cause for concern, there are plenty of different wax options for individuals who prefer to avoid them.
Natural waxes such as soy, rapeseed, coconut, and beeswax are the greatest option for individuals looking for candles that burn cleanly and don't pollute the interior air. According to some reports, beeswax can genuinely help clear the air.
We strongly advise you to seek medical assistance if you begin to feel ill while burning candles or after inadvertently consuming wax - you may be allergic to one or more of the candle's contents. Pets should also be treated with caution; some of the components in scented candles are harmful to dogs and cats, and they should be taken to the clinic if they exhibit symptoms after unintentionally devouring your candle collection.
Why use rapeseed wax rather than soy, paraffin, or other waxes?
One of the most often asked questions is why we utilize rapeseed wax rather than soy, paraffin, or other waxes.
There are a number of really good reasons for this, which we've outlined below. Still, the bottom line is that we love working with rapeseed wax because it gives us the results we desire for our scent range while also providing an excellent clean smoke and soot free burn that leaves little waste, giving our customers fantastic value and the extra plus of not having black soot markings along their walls. Most people are unaware that rapeseed wax can be used to manufacture candles and believe that all-natural waxes are soy. To be honest, most natural waxes are soy, so that is what people anticipate.
Here are some more reasons why rapeseed wax is an excellent choice for candle-making:
· It does not produce dangerous toxins in the same way as paraffin does.
· It poses no danger to us, our pets, or wildlife.
· It benefits our bees (and we all adore bees), as they enjoy the nectar produced by rapeseed flowers.
· It powers our automobiles in the form of bio-fuel.
· It is environmentally friendly since it protects our soil.
· It has not been genetically engineered.
Aside from its prominent environmental and green characteristics, we adore the fact that it has excellent hot and cold throw properties (and if you are not familiar with this candle-making terminology, it simply means they smell great when lit and when not lit).
Rapeseed wax burns at a low temperature, allowing the fragrance to softly evaporate from the wax pool rather than being burned off at a high temperature, allowing the aroma to linger for longer.
It also burns very well, with the low temperature providing a longer burn time than other natural and mineral-based waxes. Still, a lot of it is down to using the correct wick, pouring wax at the right temperature into a properly heated container, and waiting until the wax pool hits the container's sides before extinguishing the flame. We spend hours perfecting these nuances so that you get a beautiful smelling product that you will want to buy again and again. I'm always concerned with what my candles are born from, and they must root down to compliment my vegan and organic lifestyle. So, if you're worried about what you burn in your home, try our candles from rapeseed wax that suits my company's philosophy the best.
Happy Shopping!