Name: Donna

Message: Are the soy wax flakes at craft stores the same as the ones Dharma sells?  Can 100% soy flakes be different than 100% soy flakes?  Thanks Paula for all the advice and help you give all of us!

There are different grades of soy wax. 

Some is more hydrogenated, so it has a higher melting temperature and are harder. This is the type used for pillar-type candles, which have to stand up under their own weight, and it is also the type that is becoming popular for use as a dye resist on fabric.

Some soy wax is softer and has a lower melting temperature. This is the type sold for use in making container candles. You don't want to use this type as a substitute for batik wax. The label should be clear about whether the wax is intended for use in containers, or whether it is suitable for pillar candles. Don't worry about whether or not the label says microwaveable, as all soy wax should melt in the microwave (unlike paraffin, which is transparent to microwaves, which is why waxed paper works fine to cover foods in the microwave oven).

In general, I think you're safe with the pillar-type candle soy wax from a crafts store. Of course, as with any other material, it would be a good idea to do a small test before you use it for any large, expensive, or complicated project.

It's likely that there are different qualities of soy wax manufactured, as well, which means that one brand might be superior to another. Some will have added stearic acid, paraffin, or other ingredients to make them more solid. It would be disappointing to have one of the thinner ingredients separate out from the others and form a halo; this could happen, in particular, if the temperature of your melted wax is too low. Be sure to include the name and source of the soy wax you use in your notes, in case you decide you like one better than another. If you find that a particular brand is very good or bad, perhaps you could share your experience on the Dye Forum.

If you are ordering dyes from a major dye supplier such as Dharma Trading Company, PRO Chemical & Dye, or Fibrecrafts in the UK, you can add soy wax to your order. The price is very reasonable at dye suppliers (for example, $2.63 for half a pound from ProChem, $4.35 for a pound from Dharma); the prices I've seen at Joann's Fabrics or Michael's Craft Supplies are higher. When you're ordering dyes anyway, you may as well order soy wax from your dye supplier. If you don't need to order dyes, it's worth trying locally-available pillar soy candle wax.

Also see an earlier blog entry, "Soy Wax Spread Beyond the Design Before Dyeing", from October 19, 2008.

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