ABOUT CANDLES, PARAFFIN VERSUS SOY, PALM WAX ETC.

As a seasoned candle maker, I have been pondering over the years the different options for candlemaking.

First, ALL commercial waxes are SAFE and GOOD. Some Soy producers have been spreading rumors that soy candles "burn cleaner" and the rest are bad for you, etc., which it is not true.

Anything that combusts, will product smoke and soot, and it is total nonsense to say that soy candles do not produce soot.

The amount of smoke and soot depends on several factors, one of them being the size of the wick. We always tell people to keep trimming the wick of the candle as it burns. This, not only helps to produce a clean flame, but also extends the life of the candle. Make sure that your wick is short and it does not bend to one side after it grows. When it does that, blow out the candle, wait it to cool, and trim the wick.

Another way to avoid smoke and soot is the location of the candle. If there is any draft at all, the candle will smoke. If you place your candle in a tight corner, such in a shower, where there is also a lot of humidity, the candle will smoke. Candles need a steady flow or oxygen. If you place them near a fireplace, the candles will burn too fast.

Having said this, the amount of smoke produced by a candle is so small, that you don't need to worry about it. You produce more smoke in your kitchen cooking dinner :-)

All candles made in the USA these days DO NOT contain lead in their wicks. (Again, I was visiting a website of soy candle makers that were spreading doom and gloom about lead in everybody else's candles!)

Wicks containing lead are illegal and impossible to purchase in the USA. If you are buying cheap candles made in China, for example, that might be different, but any candle made in the USA is safe.

If you want an in depth report on candles, waxes, etc. you can always visit the National Candle Association