| I can honestly say, that I do not believe there is | | | | many to choose from. |
| an easy answer to that question. That is the | | | | I am sure you have heard many tales about |
| conclusion I came to when I started on a quest | | | | paraffin candles sooting. Again this statement is |
| to make the cleanest burning candle possible | | | | misleading. You can have a paraffin candle that is |
| several years ago. I wanted to create a virtually | | | | virtually soot free, if it is constructed in the |
| soot free candle because I loved to burn candles | | | | correct manner. It is also a misnomer to think |
| but hated the soot residue that was left behind. | | | | that soy wax candles or palm wax candles are |
| The soot would blacken the container the candles | | | | soot free. Wax like the dye and scent must be |
| were in and left soot residue on my walls and | | | | tested as well. I believe that if a candle is |
| furnishings. I had bought many name brand | | | | constructed in the correct manner, with superior |
| candles in the hopes of finding a remedy to my | | | | quality ingredients, it can be made to be virtually |
| dilemma, only to be disappointed with my findings. | | | | soot free no matter the type of wax that is |
| Buying a name brand or paying more for a candle | | | | used. So therefore the issue would be whether or |
| does not necessarily guarantee a cleaner burning | | | | not you choose to use environmentally friendly |
| candle. | | | | waxes. |
| There are several factors that weigh in when it | | | | So now that we have covered wax, dye and |
| comes to having a virtually soot free candle. | | | | scent; that leaves us with the wick. The wick is |
| These factors are things a consumer as well as a | | | | probably one of the most important factors in |
| candle maker, needs to take into consideration in | | | | creating a virtually soot free candle. If the wick is |
| regard to soot free candles. The first factor to | | | | not the correct wick, for the type of wax you |
| consider is that any element added to a candle | | | | are using or the candle you are making, the wick |
| can result in candle soot, from the wax that is | | | | will cause soot to occur. If the wick is too large |
| used to the wick that burns it. | | | | for the candle, it will cause the candle to soot. If |
| With the previous mentioned information in hand, | | | | the wick is not trimmed to the suggested height, |
| one could conclude that the best candle to | | | | the candle will possibly soot. |
| purchase for reducing soot, would be one that did | | | | Wicking a candle, in my opinion, is probably the |
| not contain dye or scent, as these items are | | | | candle maker's biggest challenge. To fully |
| generally added for cosmetic purposes. This type | | | | understand this challenge you need to understand |
| of conclusion although seemingly accurate, would | | | | the principle objective of the wick. A wick's |
| leave the consumer and a candle maker with only | | | | principle objective is to melt the wax. The glow it |
| a small portion of the whole truth. | | | | has is only part of the wick's objective. In order |
| A totally scentless and colorless candle can soot | | | | for the wick to correctly do the job, it must be |
| as much as a candle that contains dye and scent. | | | | designed to work with the viscosity (hardness) of |
| So it is totally misleading to say that the cleanest | | | | the wax in order to melt it properly. Once you |
| burning candles contain no dye or scent. Wax and | | | | find the proper wick for the wax you are using |
| wick alone can cause candle soot. | | | | then you can introduce dye and scent, then |
| Although it is true that dye and scent can cause a | | | | adjust the wick accordingly. |
| candle to soot, using superior quality dye and | | | | Are you wondering if I created a virtually soot |
| scent should not cause candle soot. How does | | | | free candle? Yes I did and it was not an easy |
| one know which dyes and scents are of superior | | | | task. I tested hundreds of candles in order to find |
| quality? In my experience, the best and only true | | | | the correct combination of materials. My wax of |
| way to establish a sound conclusion is to test the | | | | choice is palm wax. I like the qualities of the wax. |
| dye and scent. However, if you do not have a | | | | I found it to be the most versatile for my |
| candle that is soot free to begin with, adding dye | | | | applications and it is environmentally friendly. But a |
| and scent no matter the quality will not stop | | | | palm wax just like a candle made from any other |
| candle soot. So you must start with a clean | | | | wax is only as good as the quality of the wax |
| burning wax. When it comes to waxes there are | | | | you are using to begin with. |