Why Soy Wax Candles Are the Smarter Choice for Your Home

There's a reason why scented candles have quietly risen to become one of India's fastest-growing home lifestyle segments: just one candle can transform how an entire room feels! However, not all candles are the same. Before making a purchase, here is the info you need to know!

The shift to soy wax — and why it matters

For years, candles produced worldwide have been manufactured from paraffin wax, an oil-based product, produces chemical odor while burning, along with smoke that leaves a residue on walls and irritates your lungs; it’s hard to believe this is a candle smell. Soy candle vs regular candle: big difference between the two! While soy has been around for some time now as a base for making wax, it is just becoming popular due to lower prices and environmentally friendly production processes.

Paraffin wax typically generates weak-smelling candles. As compared to paraffin wax's higher melting temperature, soy holds aroma with great retention until it is evaporated during burning. So, for an extended and pleasant-smelling candle, you can be sure to select a soy candle. Overall, soy candles have advantages over paraffin candles in most residences.

Handmade vs mass-produced: what the difference actually means

Candles produced in mass production have poor quality because they limit the amount of fragrance oil that can go into each candle, and they have very little care given to the craftsmanship of each batch of candles. Artisan candles made in small batches and sold through the internet in India tend to have a much greater load of fragrance oil, have properly sized cotton wicks for the containers, and were also inspected for quality before leaving the craftsman's workshop and arriving to you.

Terra Reeds is a handmade candle company located in Goa. The Candles are created with 100% soy wax and crafted with nature-inspired fragrances from around the world. Every candle is hand poured individually to create an intentional atmosphere through a customer’s unique fragrance selection. Choosing the right kind of candle for your home is about creating a feeling and generating a memory; therefore, finding the right kind of candle is about choosing one that is created with intent instead of produced at a high volume.

What to look for on the label:Candle labels should indicate that the candle has 100% soy wax (no “soy blend”), have cotton or wooden wicks, have documented burn times, and be made with fragrance oils that are phthalate-free. If the label doesn't provide sufficient information to answer these questions. You should further investigate.

Choosing a scent for your space

Fragrance for candles in bedrooms often are sweetly scented like floral and citrus fragrances, fresh scented linens and like green tea seem to fit the atmosphere of a bedroom without overpowering the room. However stronger fragrances, such as sandalwood, vanilla or oud, are more appropriate for large living areas and/or spaces that are open plan.

Additionally, consider the time of year when shopping for candle fragrance. If your looking for an evening fragrance, more comforting and calming should be the types of fragrances purchased, this could include vanilla, sandalwood, or a soft fragrance like oud. Expect to feel the energising effects of mint or citrus during mornings while an early morning fragrance would be eucalyptus. Creating your own scent and pursuing your daily activities creates a complete experience rather than an accidental experience with scents.

Candle care: getting the most from every burn

If the candle is not burned in the proper way, it won't perform properly either. The first step when burning a candle is the most important one — how can you make sure the candle does not tunnel? The solution is to burn the candle all the way to the edge of the container before putting it out; this ensures the wax memory is evenly set around the inside of the candle container. You can count on using the whole candle when doing so, and not just a small circle in the middle of the candle since it won't have created wax memory initially.

Trim the wick to approximately 6mm prior to burning the candle. When the wick is too long, it causes a larger, less stable flame that will be hotter and create more soot, burning down quicker than a properly trimmed wick. Do not burn for periods greater than four hours at a time as there are safety concerns as well as the potential of losing some of the fragrance throw from the candle.

Candles as gifts: why they always work

Indian culture loves gifting scented candles as gifts; they are received positively during the festive season, for housewarming parties, for birthdays, and just as thoughtful gifts. The candle is often seen as luxurious but is an affordable way to create something in your home. Also, the way that they add an aesthetic touch to shelves even after they have burnt completely is great.

When giving a gift, try to have gift wrapping that will create a luxurious look, an unusual fragrance that suggests the thought you've put into it, and hopefully a creative brand that produces fewer items than their competition.

Explore Terra Reeds wax candles: All Candles are hand poured in Goa and made from 100% Soy Wax with rich scents that add warmth to your home as opposed to simply (adding to your space's ambiance).