As we linger in our favorite design store we pause at the candle section enjoying the aroma of the variety of scented candles. We tend to purchase candles based on their color and scent; however, candles can also vary greatly in price and wax type. We personally favor more natural candles to fit within our home so we did a little research on the different types of wax available...
Paraffin Wax is the most prevalent type of wax used in candles; however, many green activists would argue that because the wax is a by-product of crude oil it does not burn as clean as other candle waxes. Paraffin wax candles can be container candles, votives, or pillars.
Soy Wax is an alternative candle wax made from soy beans that provides a more natural solution. It burns cleaner than paraffin wax and is less expensive than beeswax. Soy wax candles are made from either 100% soybean oil or a blend of soy and other vegetable oils or waxes. Soy candles are generally container candles in jars, cups, or glasses.
Beeswax was the historical wax for candle making with its wax derived from honeybees. It is a natural wax, but more expensive than paraffin and soy wax. Various types of candles can be made from beeswax including votives, pillars, and container candles.
Bayberry Wax is a natural wax product that is valued for its quality and distinctive scent. It is an expensive wax and is less common than the other listed candle wax types. It is typically used for taper candles and in a traditional setting.
What is your favorite type of candle?
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Comments (13)
http://www.purebeeswaxcandles.com/
This is a small home based business in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada and their product is wonderful.
Kobo Pure Soy Candles!
http://www.kobocandles.com
They're made using domestically-grown soybeans and cotton wicks. I sell them, I gift them, I love them.
I like the stearin wax candles available through IKEA. Long, clean, burn, and no nasty scent additives.
... isn't it more responsible to use an inevitable byproduct rather than growing up a bunch of soy specifically to make candle wax out of?
I love the candles from Mod Mod (pronounced Mod Mode). Their candles burn clean and have a variety of delicious smells.
Oops, here is their website: http://modmod.us/ . I think they're updating their stuff, though.
Thanks for addressing this issue. I often wondered about the different wax types. Now that you brought it up, I'm going to go to my "candle closet" and check out what types of wax I purchased. I would assume they're all paraffin unless otherwise stated. My favorite candle is the Yankee candle. I just checked it out and it doesn't even state on the jar what kind of wax is used. I'm going to do a little more research now. Does anyone know what kind of wax is used in Yankee candles?
propellergirl: I just checked out the website you listed and learned a lot about beeswax. Thanks for sharing that. Everyone should read the fascinating properties of beeswax.
You're welcome julip8! Though I like soy candles too, soy is one of the most genetically modified crops out there and anything helping Monsanto leaves a bitter, bitter taste in my mouth.
Yankee candles are paraffin. Paraffin is product of petro chemicals.
PartyLite candles started out as made from bayberry but they have gone away from that and it is all paraffin. Pacifica are also paraffin though the packaging is lovely.
Bee's gotta fly and they are making the wax naturally (though they are also really vulnerable to disease, virus bacteria etc.) Some I suppose would say they are enslaved but the cow makes milk too and to not milk it when the udder is full seems cruel to me. Beeswax doesn't even have to be burning and it smells lovely.
I have a candlemaker friend who is making palm wax candles. I'm surprised no one has mentioned palm wax. I don't know much about it, but it is very hard, that is to say it does not need to be in a container like soy wax. The palm wax has an interesting look to it, sort of an iridescence.
I have really bad allergies and sinus headaches and I love burning candles. It wasn't until recently that a friend mentioned the nasty, oily fumes put out by paraffin candles...I hadn't even considered this (silly, silly me). Since then, I've concentrated on beeswax candles! I have a total aversion to anything scented yet the beeswax smells great all by itself! Pefection and no need to look further!
For anyone else coming along after the fact:
1) "...many green activists would argue that because the wax is a by-product of crude oil it does not burn as clean as other candle waxes." I see a wee bit of bias here. It's not a fruity hippie claim that paraffin doesn't burn as cleanly as plant waxes - it's fact.
2) Propellergirl, you've got the cow-milking thing all wrong. What happens to breastfeeding women when their babies are weaned? Supply tapers off to nothing. We're not doing cows favors by taking their milk off their, er, hands. In the dairy industry, cows are kept perpetually pregnant and their babies are treated as a sort of waste stream (the boy babies to little crates to become veal, the girl babies to become dairy cows). It's not nature driving the dairy industry, it's the dairy industry treating cows pretty terribly to keep the supply as high as possible, generally at moderate-to-severe detriment to the cows' health. I know the urge to rationalize is there, but the pretty picture is fiction.
shanalulu. It is actually bias. I'm not quite sure where your getting your facts from but according to the National Candle Association parafin candles burn just as clean and safe as other types of candles. Studies have been done and know difference has been recorded. As a matter of fact food grade parafin is used to wrap cheeses and candies.