We’re constantly inundated with what we should and shouldn’t eat but what about every day items we have in our homes that are also toxic?
Candles are made from a variety of products but those cheap candles you pick up at home stores and a few high street fashion stores? Chances are they are paraffin wax.
Soy candles are made using soybeans – which is a natural and renewable source. Paraffin candles are made from petroleum, which is a non-renewable source, and known to contain carcinogenic substances. A study by South Carolina State University back in 2009 found paraffin wax candles give off harmful fumes linked to asthma and lung cancer. At the time Dr Amid Hamidi, from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, who co-led the study said, “An occasional paraffin candle and its emissions will not likely affect you. But lighting many paraffin candles every day for years or lighting them frequently in an unventilated bathroom around a tub, for example, may cause problems.”
So how often do you light you candles and despite this research we still see paraffin candles on sale and at bargain prices that consumers just cannot resist. A quarter of British households buy scented candles and with supermarket chains stocking their own brand candles this is an area expected to grow.
Soy candles are a cleaner alternative to paraffin wax – some manufacturers include additives or produce products blended with paraffin wax, so it’s best to read the label thoroughly to see if you are purchasing a pure soy wax candle.
If the above isn’t enough to make you switch to soy candles, here are five more reasons why and some tips on how to look after your candles:
HOW TO BURN THE PERFECT CANDLE
To prevent tunneling, when the candle doesn't burn to the edge of the glass, try the following:
• Trim your wick to around 3mm, ideally with a wick trimmer to give you a nice clean cut.
• Candles have a good memory. When you light your candle for the first time let the candle burn long enough (around 3 hours) so the entire top is liquid wax. That way each time you relight your candle it will remember the previous melt pool.
• Regularly repeat this burn to keep the wax open and even.
• Burn your candle for up to three hours max, any longer and the oils will begin to burn themselves. Rotate your favourite candles and get the most out of them!
New customers to Soy & Joy can enter discount code HELLO10 for 10% off their first order
