There’s nothing quite like the glow of a candle to set the mood on the farm after a long day of working with the flock. Whether it’s the quiet calm of a winter evening or just trying to freshen up the mudroom, candles are a staple in the Scalise household. But as we dug deeper into what actually goes into most store-bought candles, we realized that "cozy" shouldn't come at the cost of your health.
If you’ve been following our journey at Scalise Family Sheep Farm, you know we’re obsessed with ingredients. Whether it’s our sheep milk soaps or our farm-fresh balms, we believe that what you put on your body matters. It turns out, what you breathe into your body matters just as much.
Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on the candle industry to look at why soy wax is the gold standard for indoor air quality and why we’ve committed to hand-poured, natural options.
The Paraffin Problem: More Than Just Soot
Most commercial candles are made from paraffin wax. It’s cheap, it holds scent well, and it’s a byproduct of the petroleum refining process. Yes, you read that right: most candles are essentially made from the same stuff that fuels your truck.
When you burn a paraffin candle, you aren't just releasing a nice "Spring Meadow" scent; you’re engaging in a chemical reaction that releases several concerning byproducts into your living room. Academic research has consistently pointed to the presence of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in paraffin emissions.
According to a landmark study by researchers at South Carolina State University, paraffin-based candles were found to release toxic chemicals like alkanes, alkenes, and toluene, which can have harmful effects on humans when inhaled over long periods. Toluene, in particular, is a well-known neurotoxin that is also found in paint thinners and nail polish removers.
Furthermore, the "soot" you see collecting on the edges of a paraffin jar isn't just an aesthetic nuisance. It consists of ultrafine particles (often categorized as PM2.5). These particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. For families with asthma, allergies, or small children, this indoor air pollution can be a significant trigger for respiratory distress.
Why Soy Wax is a Breath of Fresh Air
At Scalise Family Sheep Farm, we chose soy for a simple reason: it’s a plant-based, renewable resource that aligns with our agricultural roots. Soy wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil, which means it’s biodegradable and carbon-neutral.
1. Cleaner Combustion and Reduced VOCs
Unlike the complex hydrocarbons found in paraffin, soy wax consists of triglycerides. When burned properly, soy wax produces significantly less soot: up to 90% less than paraffin. This means your walls, curtains, and lungs stay much cleaner.
Research published in the Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society indicates that vegetable-based waxes (like soy) generally burn at a lower temperature and produce fewer harmful emissions than petroleum-based waxes. This lower burn temperature is also why soy candles are safer; the wax doesn't get as hot, reducing the risk of accidental burns.
2. Longevity and Value
We’re farmers, so we appreciate a product that works hard and lasts long. Because soy wax has a lower melting point than paraffin, it burns slower. On average, a soy candle will last 30% to 50% longer than a paraffin candle of the same size.
When you look at the price tag of a hand-poured soy candle versus a big-box store paraffin candle, the soy option might seem more expensive upfront. However, when you calculate the "cost per hour of burn," soy almost always wins. It’s the same philosophy we apply to our skincare products: quality ingredients might cost more to source, but they provide a superior, longer-lasting result.
3. The "Scent Throw" Factor
There is a common myth that soy candles don't smell as strong as paraffin. In the industry, we talk about "cold throw" (how it smells when unlit) and "hot throw" (how it smells when burning).
While paraffin candles often use chemical boosters to throw scent quickly, soy wax is a superior fragrance carrier. It releases the scent more slowly and evenly. This results in a more consistent aroma that doesn't give you that "chemical headache" often associated with heavy paraffin scents. Because soy is a natural material, it pairs beautifully with the essential oils and high-quality fragrance oils we use in our farm-inspired blends.
Sustainable Agriculture: Supporting the American Farmer
One of the things we’re most proud of is that by choosing soy, we are supporting the American agricultural industry. Paraffin is tied to the oil industry, whereas soy is grown by farmers just like us.
Soybeans are a renewable crop that can be grown and harvested year after year. Using soy wax reduces our dependence on fossil fuels and supports a circular economy. When you buy a hand-poured candle from a small business like ours, you aren't just buying a home decor item: you’re supporting a veteran-owned farm and the broader network of American agriculture.
The Scalise Family Quality Standard
You’ve probably noticed that we don't cut corners. Whether we are checking on our Icelandic sheep or pouring a fresh batch of Frankincense Sheep Milk Soap, we believe that "What’s Inside Matters."
Our hand-poured candles are crafted in small batches to ensure quality control. We use lead-free cotton wicks and avoid the phthalates often found in mass-produced fragrances. Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and to help scents last longer, but they are also known endocrine disruptors. By keeping our candles phthalate-free, we ensure that your "me-time" is actually restorative, not toxic.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Soy Candle
To make sure your clean-burning candle lasts as long as possible, follow these farm-tested tips:
- The First Burn is Critical: Always let the wax melt all the way to the edge of the jar the first time you light it. This prevents "tunneling" and ensures you use every bit of wax you paid for.
- Trim Your Wick: Keep the wick trimmed to about 1/4 inch. A long wick creates a larger flame, which can lead to unnecessary soot and a faster burn.
- Avoid Drafts: Keep your candle away from open windows or fans. Drafts cause the flame to flicker, which can lead to uneven burning and black marks on the glass.
Final Thoughts: A Simple Switch for a Healthier Home
We spend a lot of time thinking about the food we eat and the water we drink, but we often forget about the air we breathe inside our own homes. Switching from paraffin to soy is one of the easiest ways to improve your indoor air quality and support sustainable farming at the same time.
If you’re ready to ditch the petroleum and bring a little bit of the farm into your home, we invite you to check out our latest collection. And while you're at it, why not pair that clean scent with some nourishing skincare?
Thanks for supporting our farm and our family. If you have any questions about our process or our ingredients, feel free to reach out to us: we love talking shop!
Stay safe, stay healthy, and keep shining.
: Ben Scalise Owner, Scalise Family Sheep Farm LLC
References & Academic Sources
- Massoudi, R., & Hamidi, A. A. (2009). Study of Emissions from Paraffin and Soy Candles. South Carolina State University.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2001). Candles and Incense as Potential Sources of Indoor Air Pollution. EPA-600/R-01-001.
- Krause, J. D. (1999). Soot Deposition in Residential Structures. Journal of the American Industrial Hygiene Association.
- Fine, P. M., Cass, G. R., & Simoneit, B. R. (1999). Characterization of Fine Particle Emissions from Burning Church Candles. Environmental Science & Technology.
- Rezaei, K., Wang, T., & Johnson, L. A. (2002). Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils as Candle Wax. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society, 79(12), 1241-1247.
