You are here: Home / Wax Candle Facts

Wax Candle Facts

Paraffin Wax- The Real Story
We use the finest blends of paraffin wax available on the market to produce clean and long burning pillars. For years paraffin has been the wax of choice for manufacturers looking to create quality pillars. A few years back companies that used soy wax to produce jar candles made a strong propaganda push to make paraffin wax look harmful so they could capture a larger portion of the market share. Here are a few points taken directly from the National Candle Association that should better explain why paraffin candles are perfectly safe to burn in the home.

Paraffin is by far the most frequently used candle wax on a worldwide basis today. Beeswax is also used around the globe, although in significantly smaller quantities. Stearin candle wax is largely limited to European use. Soy wax, palm wax, gels, synthetic waxes, and synthesized waxes are also now used in candles, as are a variety of wax blends and customized wax formulations.

Candle Wax Facts

  • Prior to the 19th century, a “wax” candle typically referred to a beeswax candle.
  • All waxes are primarily hydrocarbons, whether the wax is of animal, vegetable, or petroleum origin. The chemical composition of all waxes used for candle-making is similar, and all candle waxes burn in the same manner.
  • An estimated 1 billion pounds of wax are used in the candles sold each year in the United States.
  • Candles account for the second largest use of waxes in North America, after packaging and package coatings.
  • Paraffin is the most commonly used candle wax today. Beeswax, soy wax, palm wax, gels, and synthesized waxes are also used in candle-making for the U.S. market, as are blends of waxes.
  • Waxes burn with a yellow flame due to the presence of carbon.
  • No specific type of wax or wax blend is considered “best” for candlemaking. All candle waxes – when provided in high-quality format – have been shown to burn cleanly, safely and in the same manner.
  • No candle wax has ever been shown to be toxic or harmful to human health.
  • There is no such thing as a soot-free wax. All organic compounds when burned will emit some carbon (soot) due to incomplete combustion. Sooting is primarily a factor of wick length and flame disturbance.
  • Reputable candle manufacturers use only high-quality waxes in their formulations.

    • National Candle Association

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Are certain candle waxes better than others?

  • No. All types of quality candle waxes have been shown to burn cleanly, safely and in the same manner. U.S. candle manufacturers select waxes or blends of waxes based on their suitability for specific types of candles or formulation profiles, as well as their own candle-making preferences.

    • What causes a candle to smoke, and what can I do to correct it?

  • A well-made candle will create virtually no smoke when burning properly. However, if the wick becomes too long, or an air current disturbs the flame’s teardrop shape, small amounts of unburned carbon particles (soot) will escape from the flame as a visible wisp of smoke. Any candle will soot if the flame is disturbed.To avoid this, always trim the wick to ¼ inch before every use and be sure to place candles away from drafts, vents or air currents. If a candle continually flickers or smokes, it is not burning properly and should be extinguished. Allow the candle to cool, trim the wick, make sure the area is draft free, then re-light.

    • Is candle soot harmful?

  • No. The minuscule amount of soot produced by a candle is the natural byproduct of incomplete combustion. Candle soot is composed primarily of elemental carbon particles, and is similar to the soot given off by kitchen toasters and cooking oils. These everyday household sources of soot are not considered a health concern, and are chemically different from the soot formed by the burning of diesel fuel, coal, gasoline, etc.

    • Do scented candles produce more soot than unscented candles?

  • Not really. The oils found in certain fragrances may slightly increase the small amount of soot produced by a candle, but wick length and flame disturbance are the primary factors that impact sooting in a properly-formulated candle.

    • Are scented candles safe?

  • Yes. When a candle burns, the wax is drawn into the wick, where it is “consumed” by the candle flame to produce water vapor and carbon dioxide. The only difference with a scented candle is that a small amount of fragrance is released as well.Reputable candle manufacturers use only fragrances that are approved for burning in candles. They also carefully monitor the addition of fragrance to ensure that the candle will burn cleanly and properly.
    Is paraffin wax toxic?
  • No. Paraffin wax – like all candle waxes – is non-toxic. In fact, paraffin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in food, cosmetics, and medical applications. Food-grade paraffin is commonly used for manufacturing candles.

    • National Candle Association