What is Wax?
Broadly speaking wax is a flammable, carbon-containing solid that becomes liquid when heated above room temperature. In other words it’s the candle’s fuel. When the scented candle is lit, the wax melts, is vaporized and combusted, which in turn produces the heat and light. Almost any kind of oil can be turned into a wax, making plenty of choices for use in candles.
What Is Candle Wax Made From?
There are many different types of wax that can be used to produce scented candles. Beeswax has been used in the production of candles for thousands of years, whereas waxes made from coconut and petroleum are modern inventions.
Each type of candle wax has different properties, making some better at holding and transmitting fragrance while others excel in burning slowly and producing a smoke-free flame. In the sections below you’ll find information on each of the types of candle wax.
Which Candle Wax Is Best?
Each type of candle wax has it’s positives and negatives making it hard to pick an all out winner. This is why there are so many different types of candle wax (and candle wax blends) on the market. In the sections below we discuss the benefits and disadvantages associated with each style of wax, allowing you to decide which wax is best for you.
Which Candle Wax Burns The Longest?
Soy wax is generally considered to have the longest burn time, however each year new improved candle wax formations are being created using new ingredients that allow for even slower burning candles.
The length of time your candle burns for is greatly effected by things like where you burn the candle, the temperature of the room, the fragrance oils, wick and container the candle uses among many other factors making it hard to say exactly how long your candle will last. All the burn times on this website are approximations and only meant as a guide.
Which Candle Wax Gives The Best Scent Throw?
Currently 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. While paraffin may have reigned supreme for the past decade or so, newer natural waxes such as soy, coconut and rapeseed wax are improving year on year and look set to gain this title in the near future.
Is Candle Wax Toxic?
Well, let’s first off just say don’t eat your new scented candles – they don’t taste as good as they smell! While many candles are made using non-toxic food-grade paraffin wax, an ingredient often found in the production of cosmetics and food, we don’t recommend taking the chance.
There are certain waxes that do give off small amounts of chemicals when burning. Paraffin wax has been found to release some volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere when lit, and while these shouldn’t be a cause for concern there are plenty of other wax options for those who would prefer to avoid them.
Natural waxes such as soy, rapeseed, coconut and beeswax are the best choice for those wanting candles that burn cleanly without the worry of indoor air pollution. There are even some reports that beeswax can actually help clarify air.
We highly recommend seeking medical attention if you begin to feel unwell while burning candles or after accidentally ingesting wax – it may be that you are allergic to one or more of the ingredients used 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.
Sourced: Osmology
