Introduction to Soy Wax
Soy wax is a vegetable wax derived from hydrogenated soybean oil. It’s a natural, renewable and sustainable resource that is free from harmful chemicals like phthalates, petroleum and paraffin. Soy wax has become popular with candle makers because it burns slower and cooler than other types of wax. The low melting point of soy wax also means it works well in container candles, allowing for complex scented blends to be used without the need for stabilizers that could ruin the scent. It’s also relatively easy to clean up after spills as it melts quickly. Other benefits include a longer burn time compared to other waxes and it produces smaller soot particles when burned so they are less noticeable in the air. Soy wax candles contain no toxic chemicals or known carcinogens, making them a safe choice for burning indoors. Additionally, soy candles don’t shrink upon cooling like some other types of wax can, making the surface less brittle and easier to remove when cooled.
Types of Soy Wax & Their Benefits
Soy wax is ideal for candle making due to its clean burning properties, the easy release of scent molecules and the fact that it is a renewable resource. There are many types of soy wax to choose from, each with its own unique benefits. Here’s an overview of the most popular types as well as their benefits.
Consumer Products: This type of soy wax provides a good container blend and a creamy smooth top with consistent color retention when blended into a candle formulation. It’s often blended with other ingredients like orange peel paraffin to produce candles that offer excellent burn time and performance characteristics.
Container Blend Formulations: Also called IV-7 Soy Wax by AAK, this type of soy wax is specifically designed for creating container candles. It provides superior frosting resistance while allowing ample room for scent loading, resulting in superior scent throw when burned. The melting point (125-128°F) is higher than other soy waxes which helps mushrooms on top eliminate some messy cleanup so common with other types of soy waxes.
Medallion Wax : This specially formulated soy wax is designed for making molded candles such as votives and pillars or even dipped tapers! It has superior adhesion to wicks and offers excellent thermal stability, making it ideal for complex multi-pour molded candles with strong sidewalls and sharp definition at pour temperatures warmer than those recommended for conventional paraffin blends! Its low melt point (101-105°F) also minimizes shrinkage in highly decorated or intricate designs too!
Novelty Formulations: Want to experiment but need vegetable based? AAK’s N63VX was specifically formulate for embossed taper candles and contains natural UV absorbers which also help reduce yellowing caused by sunlight exposure once your candles are finished curing. Whichever you decide to use, one thing is certain – there’s a perfect type of soy wax out there just waiting to become your next amazing candle creations!
How to Buy Quality Soy Wax for Candle Making
When buying good soy wax for candle making, one of the primary considerations is getting the right wax type to suit the type of candle you are planning on making. Soy wax has evolved over the years and you can now find specific grades and formulas to cater differently to votive candles, pillars, tarts, containers, and more. Many craft suppliers provide a wide range of different soy wax choices so it’s important that you know what types are available in order to make the right purchase.
It’s highly recommended to do some research before purchasing your soy wax as each type can have a different melting point, level of fragrancing, discoloration potential, burn times etc. Make sure you read up on which qualities best serve your needs. To get an even better understanding of how these various qualities manifest when used in real life, ask for samples from your supplier or look on online forums for other makers experiencing with you plans or projects like yours. This will help ensure that you make a successful purchase and come away happy with your results at the end!
Tips for Safely Working with Soy Wax
When it comes to making soy wax candles, safety should be your top priority. After all, you’re working with flammable materials and hot wax can cause serious burns if not handled properly. Here are some helpful tips to help ensure safe candle-making processes:
1. Read the package directions on the wax before beginning your project. Soy wax often has different melting temperatures and other variables you’ll want to take into account when creating your candles.
2. Wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves, closed-toe shoes, goggles, and gloves. You don’t want any wayward drops of hot wax going onto bare skin!
3. Work with soy wax in a well-ventilated area and never leave molten wax unattended (especially near children or pets).
4. Always use a thermometer when heating up the wax since temperature drastically affects the performance of the candle once set up and lit. This helps prevent overheating or underheating the soy wax which can affect quality and safety.
5. Avoid shaking or stirring vigorously as this can introduce too many air bubbles into the melted wax which can affect its consistency when forming candles later on.
6. Make sure your workspace is clean; spilled soy wax can be flammable if not cleaned up properly before moving onto the next step of candle making process.
7. Whenever possible ” use silicon molds or trays instead of metal tins as they dissipate heat more quickly and do less damage to soy wick tab bases upon removal of finished candles compared to metal tins (which should not be used with soy candles).
Ideas for Crafting Unique Candle Making Projects with Soy Wax
One creative way to make unique candle making projects with soy wax is to create layered candles. To do this, you will heat multiple colors of soy wax separately and slowly pour each layer of wax into your desired container. Creating this beautiful candle gives the opportunity to play around with fragrance combinations. For example, try layering a light floral scent on top of an earthy smell like sandalwood or patchouli.
You can also add herbs and petals to your Soy Wax candles for a unique look and aroma. Add dried flowers such as rose buds in between the layers or on top of your finished candle for a rustic look. You can also experiment with different spices to customize your scent profile. Simply place the herb of your choice inside each layer before pouring in the wax and let the natural oils infuse during burning for a relaxing, spa-like vibe. Lastly, you can layer different shades of Soy Wax to craft candy colored pillars that look almost too good to burn!
Troubleshooting Tips for Common Soy Wax Issues
Common issues that can arise when making candles with soy wax include:
1. Poor Cold Throw: If the candle does not perform as expected when cold, this may be due to too little scent being used or too low melting temperature of the wax blend. To improve cold throw, use a higher concentration of fragrance and increase the melting point of your blend by adding a harder type of wax.
2. Uneven Burning & Tunnelling: This can be caused by having too high an amount of scent loaded into your candles, or if you are using an excessive number of cotton wicks. You may want to reduce the amount of scent used in the blend and double check that the correct size wick is being used for your size container.
3. Wet Spots (sweating): Most often results from excessive amounts of fragrances oil in your candle or when burning larger wicks than what is required for the container size you are using resulting in a flame which is too large and hot for the size votive/jar you’re using. Adjusting either one should help alleviate this issue.
4. Poor Color Retention: Soy waxes don’t typically hold onto colorants well so it’s suggested to use liquid dyes (which work well with soy), or perseverence for those wanting vibrant colors but this requires multiple layers and letting each layer harden before pouring a new layer on top.
5. Frosting/White Spots: This is more common in soy wax candles due to soy wax’s chemical composition and usually doesn’t impair performance unless covering large surface areas.; Frosting can occur gradually over time as natural moisture reacts with air which over time causes coconut oil crystallization making it appear scratched or frosted on surface area after solidifying again after being burned; To prevent this keep candles stored in cool dry places away from direct sunlight whenever possible; If already frosted try increasing melt temp slightly (up to 20°F) before pouring
FAQs About Good Soy Wax & Candle Making
Q: What are the benefits of using soy wax for candle making?
A: Soy wax is a great choice for making candles because it is a renewable resource and it burns cleanly and evenly. It also has a long-lasting burn time. Additionally, it is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and biodegradable, which means it is not dangerous to you or the environment. Finally, soy wax produces very little soot when burned, which makes it ideal for those who suffer from respiratory disorders like asthma and allergies.
Q: Who should use soy wax for their candle making projects?
A: Anyone looking to make their own candles should consider soy wax. Whether you’re an amateur hobbyist or an experienced professional candlemaker, soy wax provides good results that are consistent with high quality standards. Soy wax also melts at lower temperatures than other types of waxes, making it easier to use in your DIY projects.
Q: What should I look for in a good soy wax?
A: When choosing a good soy wax for your candle making project, look for one with a low melt point (about 100-130 degrees F). This will ensure that your soy candles will burn properly without overheating or forming large pools of melted wax around the wick area. Additionally, make sure to choose a high-quality soy wax that has been tested and certified as being free from contaminants such as lead and zinc.
Conclusion
After reading up on the different types of soy wax available for candle making, and considering the advantages and disadvantages that come with each option, it’s important to choose the one that provides the most value in terms of burn time, scent retention, and ease of use. Whether you opt for a natural or blended soy wax, make sure to use wick sizing tools and follow instructions closely when melting your wax. Investing in quality wax additives to help achieve desired effects can also be beneficial. In terms of colors, if you want an opaque finish opt for liquid dye while micas are better suited if you’re after a more transparent hue. With these tips in mind, you can easily create beautiful candles with enough longevity to impress anyone.
Welcome to my candle making blog! In this blog, I will be sharing my tips and tricks for making candles. I will also be sharing some of my favorite recipes.
