The Difference Between Soft and Hard Soy Wax

Soft soy wax: Soft in texture, like lard or butter, typically comes in flakes or blocks. It's primarily used for container candles.

Hard soy wax: Hard in texture, like paraffin wax, typically comes in granules or blocks. It's primarily used for candles that don't require a container, such as pillar candles and cake candles.

For making container candles (such as cup candles and jar candles):

Soft soy wax is preferred. Golden Brands 464, for example, is the industry standard. It produces a perfectly flat wax pool, maximizing the use of all the wax, and can hold a large amount of fragrance, delivering a rich aroma.

For making pillar candles, shaped candles, cake decoration candles, etc.:

Hard soy wax is essential. Its sufficient hardness ensures the candle retains its shape during burning, preventing it from bending or collapsing, and allows it to be easily ejected from the mold.

For making decorative items such as wax signs and wax tablets:

Hard soy wax is ideal for this purpose, resulting in a more durable finish.

Important Note: Don't confuse the two: Never use soft soy wax for pillar candles, as it won't stand up on its own. Also, don't use hard soy wax for container candles, as it may not bond well to the container walls, causing shrinkage and poor burning.