By Patrick, Ottawa Custom Candles

If you've ever wondered why some candles burn clean and others leave black soot on your walls — the answer almost always comes down to one thing: the wax.

When I started making candles in Ottawa, choosing the right wax wasn't a marketing decision. It was a quality decision. Here's everything you need to know about soy wax versus paraffin so you can make a more informed choice next time you're shopping for candles.

What Is Paraffin Wax?

Paraffin is the most common candle wax in the world. It's cheap, widely available, and holds fragrance well. It's also a byproduct of petroleum refining — the same process that produces gasoline and diesel fuel.

When paraffin burns, it releases small amounts of chemicals including toluene and benzene — the same compounds found in diesel exhaust. In a well-ventilated space the risk is minimal, but in a small room with multiple candles burning, the air quality impact is real. That black soot you see on candle jars and walls? That's paraffin burning.

What Is Soy Wax?

Soy wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil — a natural, renewable resource. It burns cleaner than paraffin, produces significantly less soot, and is biodegradable. It's also what we use for every single candle at Ottawa Custom Candles.

Soy wax burns at a lower temperature than paraffin, which means your candle lasts longer. A properly made soy candle will typically outlast a paraffin candle of the same size by 30–50%. That means more value for your money and more hours of fragrance in your home.

Soy Wax vs Paraffin — Side by Side

Burn time: Soy burns slower and longer. A 30-hour paraffin candle becomes a 40–50 hour soy candle at the same size.

Soot: Paraffin produces black soot that stains jars, walls, and ceilings over time. Soy produces minimal soot with a properly trimmed wick.

Air quality: Soy burns cleaner with fewer toxins released into your air. Better for homes with children, pets, or anyone with sensitivities.

Scent throw: Both hold fragrance well. Soy tends to have a more subtle, natural scent throw — which means the fragrance fills the room without being overpowering.

Environmental impact: Soy is a renewable crop. Paraffin is a petroleum byproduct. If sustainability matters to you, soy wins clearly.

Price: Soy wax costs more to produce, which is why quality soy candles cost slightly more than mass-produced paraffin candles. That price difference reflects real quality.

What About Coconut Wax?

You may also see coconut wax candles on the market. Coconut wax is another natural option — it burns even cleaner than soy and has an excellent scent throw. The tradeoff is cost — coconut wax is significantly more expensive than soy, which drives up retail prices. Some premium brands blend coconut and soy wax to balance quality and cost.

At Ottawa Custom Candles we use premium soy wax because it delivers the clean burn, long lasting fragrance, and eco-friendly qualities our customers want at a price point that's accessible to everyone.

How to Get the Most Out of a Soy Candle

Even the best soy candle won't perform well if it's not burned properly. A few simple habits make a big difference:

First burn matters most. Let your candle burn long enough on the first use for the wax to melt all the way to the edges of the jar. This prevents tunneling — where the candle burns straight down the middle leaving wax on the sides.

Trim your wick. Before every burn, trim your wick to about 1/4 inch. A wick that's too long produces more soot and an uneven flame.

Don't burn too long. Maximum 3–4 hours per burn session. Longer than that and the jar gets too hot, which affects both the wax and the fragrance.

Keep it away from drafts. Wind from open windows or fans causes uneven burning and excess soot.

Why We Chose Soy at Ottawa Custom Candles

When I started making candles, I tried several wax types. Paraffin was cheaper and easier to work with. But I kept coming back to soy because of what it meant for the people burning our candles in their homes.

Our candles are hand-poured in small batches right here in Ottawa. Every scent is tested for both cold and hot throw. And every candle is made with soy wax because I wouldn't put something in your home that I wouldn't burn in mine.

If you have questions about our wax, our scents, or our process — I'm always happy to chat. Reach out through our contact page or browse our full collection to find your next favourite scent.

— Patrick
Ottawa Custom Candles
Hand-poured in Ottawa, Canada