When is the perfect time to stock up on all your favorite scented candles? In my mind, it’s always the perfect time…You can NEVER have to many. However, what seems like a straightforward purchase can quickly become overwhelming due to the variety of shapes, sizes, fragrances, and types of candle waxes out there. So, which one should you choose?
Not all candles are created equal, and the type of candle wax you select can impact both your health and the environment. In the 25+ years of candle making, I’ve often been asked why I use soy wax over other wax options. In this article I am happy to highlight the benefits of soy candles compared to other types of wax options, why soy wax is the best choice for us and why Bode+Ev candles are the obvious choice for you!
What Is Soy Wax? Soy wax is a naturally derived wax made from soybeans. Soybeans are one of the main crops grown in the U.S. Once harvested, soybeans are de-hulled and rolled into flakes. These flakes are then pressed to extract soybean oil, which is used to make soy wax, while the remaining flakes are used for animal feed, minimizing waste. With its low melting point and excellent scent-holding capabilities, soy wax has become popular among candle makers. It is renewable, 100% natural, and vegan.
Paraffin & Beeswax Other common candle waxes include paraffin and beeswax. Paraffin is widely used due to its low cost and good burning properties. However, paraffin is a by-product of fossil fuels, produced during the oil purification process. Burning paraffin candles can release indoor soot and harmful toxins, including carcinogens and hormone-disrupting substances. Beeswax, another popular option, is natural but not vegan, as it is a by-product of honey production. It has a natural yellow tint and does not hold fragrances as well as other waxes. While most beeswax is produced ethically today, large-scale production can raise concerns. If you do choose beeswax candles, look for cruelty-free certifications and ethical production guarantees.
6 Benefits of Soy Candles
- Renewable Resource: Soy wax is a 100% renewable resource grown locally in the U.S., which reduces its carbon footprint compared to waxes that need to be transported long distances. It is easy to cultivate and can scale up without deforestation, making it environmentally friendly.
- Clean Burning: Being 100% natural, soy wax contains no pollutants and produces less soot, improving indoor air quality—especially beneficial for people with respiratory conditions or allergies. Plus, it won't stain your walls or curtains with soot.
- Non-toxic & Biodegradable: Unlike paraffin, which can release carcinogens such as benzene and toluene, soy wax is free of harmful pollutants and safe to burn indoors. Soy candles are also biodegradable, making them eco-friendly and safe to dispose of in your compost.
- Vegan: Soy wax is one of the few candle waxes that are entirely vegan, as it contains no animal-derived ingredients.
- Long Burning Time: Soy wax has a lower melting point, causing it to burn longer and more evenly than paraffin or beeswax. While soy candles might be pricier, their extended burn time often offsets the higher cost.
- Easy Cleanup: Spilled soy wax can be easily cleaned with soap and water, unlike paraffin and beeswax, which can stain fabrics and be harder to remove.
Why Bode+Ev?
100% Natural Wax: For the most sustainable and healthy candle, 100% Soy Wax is the way to go! We have been using 100% soy wax for over 25 years, for us soy wax is the only option as you avoid toxins and pollutants with every burn. Soy burns cool so it burns slow giving you a much longer burn time than you would using other wax alternatives. In addition to soy wax we add just a touch of coconut oil to every small batch.
Coconut oil: The addition of Coconut Oil allows our soy candles to burn more cleanly and further enhances the scent throw allowing it to distribute the fragrance more effectively. It extends burn time even further making them more economical by reducing the frequency of replacement and has a lower melting point making our candles even safer to use. Incorporating coconut oil into our candles enhances the overall safety and environmental friendliness of our candles contributing to a healthier living space.
Clean + Natural Fragrance: We use high quality fragrance / essential oil blends that are super clean free of toxins, carcinogens or any harmful chemicals in all of our candles. Every single fragrance oil is developed and rigorously tested for exceptional performance in soy wax candle making. All of our fragrances are phthalate-free and adhere to RIFM and IFRA standards for safety and purity. We also have a large selection of fragrance oils that are approved for use in making soap and for bath and body products.
Natural Wicks: We use a braided cotton wick which burns more cleanly and without any hidden pollutants. It is essential that you keep your wick trimmed to ¼ inch to minimize soot. I am not a fan of wood wicks and their inconsistency therefore I do not use them. Cotton wicks have flaws too! Sometimes we will get a bad batch, unfortunately. Should that happen to you we do have a 100% guarantee on all of our candles – If you follow all of our steps on our Candle Care + Safety Tips page and your candle still is not burning to 100% satisfaction we will replace it!
Candle Container: All of our glass candle holders are made of 100% recycled glass. They are a clear 10oz vessel with a hint of green and a flaw or 2 hidden within the glass, it adds character! Once the candle is done, simply clean out with warm water and reuse. Here are a few way we reuse them at home - drinkware, a bud vase, 2 scoops of ice cream, pen/ pencil holder, plant propagation, cotton balls + Q-Tip holder are just a few ways, would love to hear what you come up with. Another option is you can return your empty vessels to Bode+Ev and receive a few dollars off your next candle order.
Locally Produced: All of our candles are locally hand poured in Marietta GA. By purchasing local we have a lower carbon footprint, and you are supporting a small, local woman owned business. By choosing Bode+Ev soy candles, you can enjoy a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable option for your home or office.