1. Soy candles do not smoke- This is probably the biggest misconception about candles ever! There is no such thing as a soot free candle. Science lesson time, all waxes are essentially composed of hydrocarbon molecules, part hydrogen and carbon. So yes, all candles CAN smoke. However, the culprit of candle smoke is the wick. Candle wicks do need to be trimmed to ¼ inch every time you light them to ensure proper burning.
2. Candle soot is harmful- Candle soot is just due to an incomplete combustion process. When you do not keep your wick properly trimmed, it interferes with the combustion process. Also, since all waxes are essentially hydrocarbons, the soot you see is primarily carbon based.
3. Freezing your candle will make it last longer- Apparently; this is a fairly widespread rumor. I am really not sure what the thought process behind this theory was, but just an FYI, moisture and wax do not mix well. Plus, freezing the candle will most likely cause your wax to crack.
4. The metal inside of wicks are lead- Definitely False. The Center for Disease Control has outlawed lead based products in 1978. According to the National Candle Association, lead wicks have been officially banned in the US since 2003. So do not worry, that metal you may see in wicks is just zinc and completely harmless.
5. Paraffin wax is hazardous to your health- This is just another myth created by the soy candle companies to sell more soy candles. However, just to be clear, all candle waxes are non-toxic. In fact, paraffin wax has been approved by the FDA for use not only in candles, but also in cosmetics and more.
6. Just because its soy, its natural- Oh boy, where do I start? Many of the soy candles you see on shelves are not actually 100% soy.
Soy wax is a very soft wax and has lower melting points, causing it to burn faster. So, many companies will blend it with another wax or add additives like chemical hardeners to make the wax more durable. Then, there is the fragrance oil and dyes to consider. Generally, if it’s dyed, it’s not natural. Even soy candles made with essential oils are not “all natural” because the wax is chemically produced from a soybean.
7. There is only one candle wax best for candles- False. There are many types of waxes that can be used to make candles. They are Soy, paraffin, beeswax, palm and blend waxes. Each one has its own pros and cons. Be sure to do your research on each before deciding on one.
8. Why the tops of the candles faded over time or turn yellowish in color- The reasoning behind this is because you have allowed your candles to be exposed to direct sunlight. The fragrance in your candle is oxidizing. Oxidizing is the chemical process that happens when the hydrocarbons in the wax meet oxygen.
9. Essential oils are safer because they are natural- Essential oils are in fact natural, but they are not necessarily any safer. Essential oils are extremely concentrated. This, itself, can pose a health risk if not used properly. Many of them are not skin safe unless you dilute them. Always carefully follow instructions for the best results.
Thanks for reading this article, and I hope it will help to clear up those pesky rumors and misunderstandings about candles.
Sources for this article
National Candle Association http://candles.org/faqs/
Candles Etcetera http://www.candlesetcetera.com/soy_vs_paraffin.html
US candle company, https://www.uscandleco.com/does-freezing-candles-help.html
Candle luscious http://www.candle-licious.com/soy-vs-paraffin-wax-candles.html
Natures Garden, http://www.naturesgardencandles.com/mas_assets/theme/ngc/pdf/909.pdf