The Ultimate Candle Making Guide to Soy Wax
When making candles, soy wax is often considered the best type of wax to use. Soy wax is made from soybeans and is a renewable resource. It’s also eco-friendly and burns cleanly. Soy wax is also easy to work with. It has a low melting point, so melting and pouring into moulds is easy. And, it’s easy to clean up if you make a mistake.
If you’re new to candle-making, soy wax is a great place to start. This guide will show you everything you need to know about working with soy wax, from melting and pouring to adding fragrance and colour. We’ll also give you some tips on troubleshooting common problems.
What is Soy Wax?
Soy wax is made from soybeans and is a renewable resource, making it a more environmentally friendly choice than paraffin wax. It is also non-toxic and burns cleanly, producing little to no soot. Soy wax can be more challenging to work with than paraffin wax, as it has a lower melting point and can be more challenging to get the desired results when creating sculptures or other intricate designs.
How is Soy Wax made?
Soy wax is made from soybeans harvested in countries with hot climates, including the USA and Eastern Asian countries. The process of making soy wax contains six key steps:
- Growing – soybeans are planted and grown in fields.
- Harvesting – the soybeans are then harvested and transported to processing plants.
- Processing – The soybeans are cleaned and dehulled at the processing plant.
- Oil Extraction – the soybeans are then crushed and solvent extracted to remove the oil.
- Oil Refining – the soybean oil is refined to create a purer product.
- Hydrogenation – the soybean oil is then hydrogenated to create a solid wax.
What are the properties of Soy Wax?
We have provided several data tables below for you to get an understanding of the way soy works in candle making. These properties presented below have sets of drawbacks and positives. In most cases, these properties make for well-rounded candle wax to use for candle making.
You can learn more about how soy wax stacks up against other waxes on our temperature comparison article. If you are looking to see how soy wax compares – we encourage you to read it!
| Soy Wax Melting Point in Fahrenheit (°F) | Soy Wax Melting Point in Celsius (°C) |
| 120 to 180 | 49 to 82 |
| At what ambient temperature is the candle at risk of melting? (°F) | How long can you leave the candle before it melts? (Minutes) |
| 84 | 40 |
| Flash Point in Fahrenheit (°F) | Flash Point in Celsius (°C) |
| 450 | 232 |
| Add Fragrance Oil at Fahrenheit (°F) | Add Fragrance Oil at Celsius (°C) |
| 185 to 200 | 85 to 93 |
| Add Essential Oil at Fahrenheit (°F) | Add Essential Oil at Celsius (°C) |
| 140 | 60 |
| Pour Soy Wax at Fahrenheit (°F) | Pour Soy Wax at Celsius (°C) |
| 120 to 140 | 49 to 60 |
| Soy Wax Suggested Cure Time |
| 10 to 14 days |
| Soy Wax Properties | |||
| Soft (1) or Hard (10) | High (10) or Low (1) Cost | Melting Point (°F) | Finish |
| 4 | 4 | 144 to 149 | Creamy, Smooth |
| Soy Wax Properties | |||
| Strong (10) or Weak Hot Throw (1) | Fragrance Oil Blending Ease | Sculpture | Burn Time |
| 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Soy Wax Common Issues |
| Frosting, Lumpy Tops, Sinking |
| Soy Wax Added Benefits |
| Sustainable Source, Boost Fragrance Oil Synergise |
| Soy Wax Suggested Wicks |
| ECO, CD |
What are the pros and cons of Soy Wax?
Benefits of Soy Wax
Renewable resource – one of the main benefits of soy wax is that it is a renewable resource. Soybeans are a sustainable crop that can be grown repeatedly, making soy wax more environmentally friendly than paraffin wax.
Non-toxic – another benefit of soy wax is that it is non-toxic. This means that it will not release harmful chemicals into the air when burned, making it a safer choice for your home and family.
Burns cleanly – soy wax also burns cleanly, producing little to no soot. This makes it a safer choice for your lungs and helps prevent staining on surfaces and clothing.
Longer and slower burn – soy wax candles also have a longer and slower burn time than paraffin wax candles. This means they will last longer, and you won’t need to purchase new candles often.
Drawbacks of Soy Wax
Frost Marks – One of the potential drawbacks of soy wax is that it can cause frosting. Frosting occurs naturally in soy wax, where the oil in the candle wax starts to crystalize. While frosting does not affect the candle’s performance, it can be unsightly.
Shrinkage – another potential drawback of soy wax is that it can shrink when cooled. This can make it more challenging to get the desired results when creating sculptures or other intricate designs.
Susceptible to humidity – soy wax is also more vulnerable to moisture than other types of wax. It can be more challenging to work in humid environments.
Is Soy Wax Environmentally Friendly?
The environmental impacts of soy wax are mainly positive. As a renewable resource, soy wax is more sustainable than paraffin wax. Soy wax is non-toxic and burns cleanly, producing little to no soot. Soy wax is natural, eco-friendly, and biodegradable.
However although soy wax is environmentally friendly within certain countries and unregulated suppliers unethical standards and environmental damage is present.
Is soy wax vegan?
Soy wax is made from soybeans, which are a plant-based product. Soy wax is vegan and provides the added benefits of being environmentally friendly.
Is soy wax non-GMO?
Soy wax can be either GMO or non-GMO. GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. Non-GMO soy wax is made from soybeans that have not been genetically modified.
GMO soybeans have had their DNA artificially altered in a laboratory. These changes allow the soybean to withstand herbicides and pests, which results in a higher yield.
Non-GMO soybeans have not had their DNA artificially altered. These soybeans are typically organic and are grown using more traditional methods.
If you are looking for a soybean wax supplier that is non-GMO, then you will need to ask the manufacturer. Check that they have all the relevant certifications and ensure that everything checks out with the supplier before making your purchase. They should be able to show you a non-GMO certification for the soy bean crop.
Frequently Asked Questions – Soy Wax
Are soy candles bad for you?
Soy candles are not bad for you. They are generally considered to be safer than paraffin candles. Soy candles are made from soybean oil, which is a renewable resource. They are non-toxic and burn cleanly, producing little to no soot.
How long do soy candles burn?
Soy candles have a longer and slower burn time than paraffin wax candles. This means they will last longer, and you won’t need to purchase new candles often.
What are the benefits of soy wax?
There are many benefits of soy wax, including that it is renewable, environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and burns cleanly.
What are the drawbacks of soy wax?
The potential drawbacks of soy wax include frosting, shrinkage, and susceptibility to moisture.
Is soy wax environmentally friendly?
The environmental impacts of soy wax are mainly positive. As a renewable resource, soy wax is more sustainable than par.
Is soy wax good for scented candles?
Soy wax is an excellent choice for scented candles because it burns slowly and evenly, releasing the scent gradually.
Do soy candles cause soot?
Soy candles generally produce little to no soot.
Final Thoughts
Soy wax can be an excellent choice for a more environmentally friendly option. It is also non-toxic and burns cleanly. However, soy wax can be more challenging to work with than other types of wax due to its lower melting point and susceptibility to humidity.
