American Made Soy Candles
Nancy Rivers
Each night the national news is reporting on the various economic disasters that are occurring in the American economy. Fortunately, there is an incredibly easy way for us Americans to support our own economy and our own friends and neighbors. Soy candles are produced by companies based in the United States and sold by companies based in the United States. This makes the process of buying American made candles extremely easy!
The American farmer plants dried soybeans as seeds each spring. Then when the growing season is finished, the American farmer will harvest the ripe soybeans. After transporting the crop of soybeans to a processing plant, the oil is extracted from the meat of the soybean through crushing the bean. The soy oil is then passed through a partial hydrogenation process which transforms it into the soy wax that is used to make candles. Soy wax is incredibly soft and creamy in texture.
Container candles are the best use for pure soy wax since it is so soft. Pillar and taper candles can not be made from soy wax alone because of this unique property. Since the wax is so soft, the candle would not stand or stay in its original form while burning. If you do find any pillar candle or taper candle that claims it is a soy candle, there is another ingredient which has been blended with the soy wax to make it withstand the burning process without becoming a complete formless blob. Very commonly, this additive is paraffin wax. However, there are other waxes which can be used that are completely natural and renewable such as palm wax, castor bean wax, candelilla, rice bran and jojoba oil. Often these other waxes (except paraffin - a petroleum based product) are labeled as "vegetable waxes".
Soy wax candles are non-toxic so they are safe for humans as well as pets. Soy candles are extremely clean burning, producing at least 90-95% less soot than paraffin wax candles. The soot which is produced by burning a soy candle is black like it is with paraffin wax candles, but mostly a white color which may not be noticeable to the naked eye. There is very little black soot produced with a pure unscented soy candle. Adding fragrance and other additives to preserve color or to form freestanding candles can create more of the black soot. Soy candles also burn at a cooler temperature than paraffin wax candles which results in 20-30% longer burn time.
Scented soy candles hold a larger amount of fragrance than paraffin wax candles and can release the scent very easily. In fact, most of the time, a scented soy candle can fill the entire room with fragrance without being lit! Scented soy candles will carry the scent all the way through the candle and release it from the beginning to the end of the candle.
Let's combat all of the bad American economic news by purchasing American made soy candles. Support the American farmer, wax manufacturer, and candle makers who are your friends and neighbors by buying the soy candle. In addition to being a healthy contribution to the American economy, soy wax candles are also a healthy, natural alternative to the paraffin wax candles.
About the Author:
Nancy Rivers is a candle connoisseur who was raised on an American farm and owns Joyous Candle. All natural soy candles, including a wide variety of scented soy candles, are available with free shipping on orders over $85.
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