Why Soy?

The Pawhaus Pet Boutique carries a wonderful line of soy based candles that, no only smell great, but are also better for you than a standard paraffin candle. Here is why:

CLEAN BURNING -- Soy wax is non-toxic and burns cleaner than paraffin, with no petrol-carbon soot which can blacken walls, ceilings, and furniture, contaminate ventilation ductwork in your home, as well as add toxic carcinogens into the air you breathe.

LONG BURNING -- Soy candles burn slower and cooler than paraffin wax, creating a longer burning candle.

RENEWABLE RESOURCE -- Soybeans are a renewable source, unlike paraffin, which consists of petroleum.

BIODEGRADABLE -- Since soybeans are vegetables, soy wax (basically made from hydrogenated soybean oil) is naturally biodegradable. Soy wax is also easier to remove from materials and other surfaces than paraffin wax.

HELPS THE FARMERS -- Buying soybean products creates important economic growth for the agricultural sector of the US economy.

Soy candles are simply better for you, your family, and your environment.

Paraffin Wax
There are three main reasons many people avoid buying petroleum (paraffin) products:

• Petroleum smoke/exhaust contains many carcinogenic toxins and produces ugly black soot
• Petroleum is not a renewable resource and it is of a limited supply
• Burning petroleum products creates air pollution and contributes to global warming

Paraffin candles contain up to 11 carcinogenic compounds. These 11 compounds have been deemed 'toxic air contaminants' by the State of California. An air quality researcher, David Krause, has documented evidence that candle soot particles contain many of the same compounds given off from burning diesel fuel. In the Nov/Dec 2000 edition of the Emagazine, in an article titled, 'The Inside Scoop,' Kathleen O'Neil writes that a recent study of residents in both residential and an industrial areas found chemical levels in the subjects' bodies indicating they had received doses of pollutants in their homes five to 70 times higher than the highest outdoor levels. Burning candles are listed in the article as contributing their share of indoor pollution.

Health hazards are being created when paraffin (petroleum-based wax) is mixed with synthetic fragrance (some not even meant for combustion), and are compounded with chemical fixatives, synthetic glosses and bleached cotton wicks. Health problems have been more evident in the past five or so years due to the increase in popularity of highly scented candles. Hundreds of thousands of dollars of home and furniture damage have been reported, causing a battle with insurance companies and retailers of the candles.

Unfortunately, a large percentage of the human population is not aware of candle ingredients, although awareness is growing. One reason is that candle ingredients are not required to be listed, and labels are often worded in such a way that some consumers think they are buying healthy, aromatherapy candles, when in reality the candle is mostly a petroleum wax, synthetic scent, synthetic fixatives, with a little bit of plant essential oil added in. Even if a candle is labeled as being made of beeswax, often there is paraffin as well. The wicks are usually made of chemically grown cotton that has been bleached using dioxins. Wicks that have a metal, or zinc core, contain small amounts of lead.

Most department stores provide no other option than to buy paraffin candles. However, some natural food stores have began carrying plant-wax candles.

So, if you want to try one of our Soy candles - check out what great scents we carry HERE!