What is Wax
Wax is a flammable, carbon-containing solid that becomes liquid when heated above room temperature. When scented candles are lit, the wax melts, is vaporised and combusted, which in turn produces the heat, light and aromas. Almost any kind of oil can be turned into a wax, making plenty of choices for candle making.
What's Candle Wax Made From?
There are many different types of wax that can be used to produce candles and now waxmelts. Beeswax has been used in the production of candles for thousands of years even used to preserve food, whereas waxes made from coconut and petroleum are modern and man made.
Each type of candle wax has different properties, making some better at holding and transmitting fragrance while others are best for burning slowly and producing a smoke-free flame. We'll show you some info on each of the types of candle wax we've found out about!
Whats The Best Wax Then?
Well like everything in life. It depends on your preference. Each type of candle wax has it’s positives and negatives making it hard to opt for a winner. This is why there are so many different types of candle wax (and candle wax blends) on the market. With us at Maras Melts being completely clueless about the best wax we had a lot of trial and error with which brand to choose.
We'll highlight the benefits and disadvantages associated with each style of wax, which will hopefully help decision-making.
Wax That Burns The Longest?
Soy wax is considered to have the longest burn time, made from soybeans also makes manufacturing it more environmentally friendly. These days however new improved candle wax formations are being created and discovered using new ingredients that allow for even slower burning candles.
The length of time your candle will burn is based on many things like where you burn the candle, the temperature of the room, the fragrance oils used, wick and container sizes the candle uses among many other factors making it hard to say exactly how long your candle will last. All the burn times will always vary.
Which Candle Wax Smells The Best?
Paraffin waxes are considered the best for achieving a strong fragrance – this is why many high street brands still use paraffin wax in their candles (I do love a yankee! ) While paraffin may have reigned supreme for the past decade or so, its not the best for your chest in the long run. These days newer, natural waxes such as soy, coconut and rapeseed wax are improving year on year and the way we live our lives I personally believe these are the routes to go down especially with climate change and a lot of us now wanting to also be more healthier.
How Toxic Is Candle Wax?
Well, let’s just start by saying don’t eat your candles – they don’t taste as good as they smell! No matter how yummy the cupcake melt looks! While most candles are made using non-toxic food-grade paraffin wax, an ingredient ofound in cosmetic and food production, we don’t recommend tasting it.
Some waxes do give off small amounts of chemicals when burning. Paraffin wax has been found to release volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere when lit, and while these shouldn’t be a major cause for concern there are plenty of other wax options for those who would prefer to have better options in their homes.
Soy, rapeseed, coconut and beeswax are the best natural choice for those wanting candles that burn cleanly without the worry of indoor air pollution. There are even some environmental studies that show beeswax can actually help clarify air.
We recommend seeking medical attention if you begin to feel unwell while burning candles or if you or a loved one accidentally ingests wax – it may be that you are allergic to one or more of the ingredients in the candle. Care should also be taken with pets – dogs and cats may find some of the ingredients in scented candles toxic and should be taken to the vet if they display symptoms after accidentally eating your candle collection.
What is Soy Wax?
Soy wax is what we use at Maras Melts. We love soy wax because it is often considered more environmentally friendly compared to traditional paraffin wax, burns slower and cleaner (less soot) and is cheaper than some of the other waxes to buy and a much lower melting point.
Soy wax candles generally have a subtler scent throw as soy wax doesn’t hold as much fragrance – many people prefer this softer scent, but it comes down to how sharp your nose is!
Soy candles haven’t been around a long time, with soy wax only being invented back in 1996. Soy wax is a vegetable wax derived from soybean oil. To get to the oil, harvested soybeans are cleaned, dehulled, cracked, and rolled into flakes. The oil is then extracted from these flakes and hydrogenated, a process where the unsaturated fatty acids present in the oil are saturated. This alters the oil’s melting point, making it solidify at room temperature and ready for candle making.
Environmentally speaking, while it’s a better choice compared to paraffin wax, there are still eco issues. Soybean oil is a byproduct of the massive soybean industry and there are concerns over deforestation and the use of pesticides and fertilisers used to grow soy beans.
What is Soy Wax Blend?
Soy wax is often blended with other waxes to capitalize on the best of both waxes. Common mixes include adding other vegetable oils like coconut, and waxes like palm or beeswax. We occasionally use coconut wax. A number of candle makers also choose to use paraffin/soy blends so always check with your candle seller if you want to avoid this. Generally, if the blend contains at least 51% soy it will be labelled as a soy wax blend.
Benefits of Soy Wax Candles
- Soy wax is slow burning so you’ll get a longer lasting candle for your money compared to old school paraffin wax candles.
- Soy beans are natural, renewable and biodegradable.
So What's Coconut Wax?
Coconut wax a new candle wax on the block and we are seeing more and more candle makers choosing it as an option. We may occasionally use more of this at Maras Melts but more expensive to use, but because of it’s great scent throw and even burn many think it’s worth the price. This is why were experimenting with soy and coconut blends
Coconut Wax is a soft creamy white color and is the eco-friendly choice. Harvesting the oil is an organic process with coconuts themselves being a sustainable high yield crop.
Benefits of Coconut Wax Candles
- Coconut wax candles are very slow burning and luxurious.
- Amazing hot and cold scent throw in a Coconut Candle
- Coconut wax gets the most eco-friendly points
Popular Paraffin?
Before Soy and Coconut, there was Paraffin. Paraffin wax (also known as mineral wax) is still very popular with many high street candle brands because it holds colour and scent very well, and being a by-product of the oil industry means it’s easy to find.
Climate-friendly people often label paraffin wax as bad because it’s made from the leftovers of the crude oil process. This doesn’t automatically make it toxic, and there’s always the upside that the parts of the oil that would otherwise be discarded are getting used.
Benefits of Mineral Wax Candles
- Mineral wax holds a lot of scent, so if you prefer your candle to pack a scent punch it might be a good option.
What's Beeswax?
Beeswax is the oldest known type of wax. It dates back to the Egyptians, who dipped papyrus leaves in the wax before burning them. However, it isn’t often used for scented candles because its own beautiful honey aroma that doesn’t easily mix with other scents.
Beeswax candles are considered the healthiest as they are smokeless and sootless, and actually can help purify air. Beeswax is sourced naturally from bees.
Many scented candle makers who use beeswax in their creations will mix in another type of candle wax. Coconut and beeswax is an excellent combination to make candles, coconut actually lets the scent breathe better. It is softer with a cleaner burn, and produces a better product.
Benefits of Beeswax Candles
- Beeswax is naturally made and processed
- Beeswax is healthy and helps purify air
What's Rapeseed Wax?
Rapeseed wax (sometimes known as Canola Wax) provides superb fragrance retention, scent throw and extended burn time. It’s fairly new for scented candles, and independent brands (especially those based in Europe) are now beginning to use it as a local alternative to Soy Wax.
Rapeseed is a bright yellow flowering plant from the mustard or cabbage family that is a sustainable, renewable, and greener alternative to mineral wax or waxes produced through intensive farming techniques.
Benefits of Rapeseed Wax Candles
- Rapeseed wax is locally grown meaning a smaller carbon footprint.
- Rapeseed wax throws scent well and burns slowly.