Are Soy Candles Better for Your Health?
August 24, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under Green Living
Soy candles are greener than traditional wax candles but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re 100% better for your health. Here’s the 411…
Soy candles ARE greener than wax because:
- Soy candles are made from a rapidly renewable resource, although you will want to look for organic soy candles vs. none organic. Wax paraffin candles are in no way made from a renewable resource – they’re derived from petroleum.
- Soy candles are biodegradable.
- Soy candles clean out of their containers easily (if they came in one), unlike wax which is hard to clean. Thus, after burning a soy candle, you can reuse the container for other things or recycle it.
Soy candles are healthier than wax candles BUT not by much for some people:
Soy candles do give off less soot particles and burn cleaner than normal candles. Obviously that’s a good thing. A cleaner burning candle means less soot in your lungs and in your home.
There’s not a large collection of research (thus far) that notes that soy candles are terribly better for your health. They do still release some smoke that can aggravate allergy or asthma symptoms. If you have allergies or asthma, a soy candle may still make you feel kind of icky, just like a wax candle can.
Where to find the best soy candles:
Plus, cats apparently like to eat soy candles!
Wait, didn’t you tell me that before? A cat could likely nibble one safely though right? I mean, would it hurt him? I still LOVE soy candles though anyhow even if they’re not loads healthier. They don’t bother me, and they’re renewable unlike wax, plus to me seem to smell better. Those soy candles that double as lotion are amazing.
Yes, I have mentioned it before. Whether or not it’s bad for him, he still gets soot on his nose and makes track marks in the candle. So, I have to keep it hidden.
One reason a lot of soy candles are more healthy is that they have lead-free wicks.