Many people who want to be environmentally conscious and help take care of the earth are switching to soy candles because they are cleaner burning in addition to burning two times as long as regular paraffin candles.

Soy candles are often used in conjunction with aromatherapy oils inside the candles in order to help with different ailments and relaxation simply by burning the candles and smelling the essential oils helps people into a reflexive and relaxing state of mind.

A few drops of essential oils like lavender in a soy candle will help a person relax and relieve stress as well as depression, headaches and insomnia.  Although it is not a good idea to have a candle burning while a person is sleeping, when you began to feel sleepy, it is a good idea to blow the candle out.

Soy wax burns at a much cooler temperature then paraffin candles which allows for a longer burning time and it also enables the manufacturer of the soy wax candles to use natural cotton wicks.

Because the soy candles burn longer and cleaner, it is non-toxic with no petrol-carbon soot.  The soy candles come from a renewable source, soy grows from the ground like other plants whereas paraffin candles contribute to the dependency on crude oil.

Paraffin wax candles release thick black soot when burned, as well as 11 documented toxins, two that are carcinogenic – toluene and benzene.  The American Lung Association has warned consumers of unhealthy indoor air quality from breathing paraffin candles.

One research study done by the agricultural engineering department at Purdue University stated that “paraffin contains aromatic compounds which are released when the candle is burned are detrimental to health.  Petro-soot is as harmful as secondhand tobacco smoke.”

Paraffin wax, because it is partially oil base, is not easily removed from clothing, carpets, linens or other materials it may drip on; however soy candle wax easily cleans up with soap and water and can be extracted from glass, tin, and other materials for recycling.

Some of the paraffin wax candles use animal fats and this does not sit well with vegetarians or vegans; therefore they switch to the all natural, plant-based soy candles.