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Candle making is an art that most people love to do as a hobby or even a small business. It doesn't really require expertise in candle making since the process is simple and not complicated. Candles have become the perfect gift for any occasion; nothing says you care more than a candle that you have made yourself. They make great gifts; for Valentines Day, Birthdays, house warming's, showers and Anniversaries to name a few.
Soy wax is the one of the popular and newest candle waxes in the candle making industry. It was invented by Michael Richards in 1991. People were looking for something natural to make their candles with. Even then, candle wax and beeswax was expensive; so Richards started experimenting to find a cheaper alternative for beeswax.
Richards experimented on many different plant waxes. He ended up with a vegetable wax made from soybean oil, coconut oil and palm oil. To this blend, he added the beeswax to make a cheaper natural wax candle.
Soy candle wax was introduced to the public in 1995. The Body Shop was the first to offer this new invention - soy candles! At that time, The Body Shop was offering a mixture of beeswax and almond oil candles. When the soy wax was introduced, this replaced the almond oil - making it cheaper to make.
In 1996, Richards found a successful replacement for beeswax when he experimented making a candles with purely hydrogenated soybean oil. He then developed another mixture of soy wax for container candles and standing candles with a higher melting point.
In 1997Then the University of Iowa started to experiment more with soy wax. The University published their project paper - Increasing the Use of Soybeans in the Manufacturing of Candles. In 1999, the research continued, publishing the benefits of soy wax; The Hydrogenated vegetable oils as candle wax and Combustion characteristics of candles made from hydrogenated soybean oil. These publications talked about the huge benefits for our home environments of burning cleaner and longer, with less soot, as well as from being inexpensive to manufacture.
In 1991 Cargill bought Michael Richards patent and now produces soybean wax and supplies it to candle manufacturers.
Now, you have the history of the soy candle wax. You can start making your all-natural soy candles. Working with soy candle wax is easy and it cleans up with soap and warm water. Soy wax is easy to work with and doesn't produce soot, leaving that black 'dust' like cheaper candles do.
Remember, soy candle wax is natural, a renewable resource, biodegradable and eco-friendly. Are you ready to start making these wonderful candles today?
About this Author
Kim Montgomery is a candle lover and shares that love with many around her. If you love candles and would want to know more secrets and expert tips about soy candle wax, and everything you need to know about making your own perfect candles, Click here.
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