Soy candles are a better green choice than basic old wax candles for a couple of reasons. One, they’re made from rapidly renewable resources, whereas wax paraffin is derived from petroleum (not so renewable – as we all know). Two, soy candles are biodegradable and burn longer.
But are soy candles actually healthier for you, your family, and your home?
Somewhat – some research notes that soy candles give off less soot particles than normal candles. That’s a good thing, because a cleaner burn means less soot and gunk in your home and lungs. However, overall, there’s not a huge piece of evidence that says that soy candles are WAY better for you, so if you have allergies or asthma, just burning soy over wax may not help you to avoid feeling icky.
If you like the look of candles but want something that’s truly soot-free and eco-friendly to boot, you may want to try LED candles. LED candles have other benefits as well; they’re safer than real candles and don’t make a mess.
Where to snag soy candles:
- Dirt Candles
- Ergo 100% Soy Candles (see image above)
- Tatine Garden + Forest Infusion