What Makes Clean-Burning Soy Candles Worth the Switch

If you've ever noticed soot marks building up above a candle jar, the candle itself is usually the reason. Not all candles are made the same way, and how much soot and residue a candle produces depends on a handful of specific choices in its making. Here's what actually goes into clean-burning soy candles and why those choices matter. Why Wax Type Changes Everything Most mass-produced candles are made from paraffin, a byproduct of petroleum refining. Paraffin can release more soot than plant-based waxes when burned, and some studies have detected trace amounts of compounds such as benzene and toluene in paraffin candle emissions. Poorly made paraffin candles are also the ones most likely to leave black residue on jars, walls, and ceilings over time. Soy wax, made from hydrogenated soybean oil, tends to burn at a lower, more consistent temperature than paraffin, which generally means less soot under normal burning conditions. That said, wax type is only one variable. How clean...