Natural Soy candles: your natural choice

As a healthy food ingredient, soy is everywhere - it's loud and proud in soymilk, soy cheese, soy sauce and tofu; less obvious in nuts and soups; and hidden in some less virtuous places such as chips and doughnuts.

But did you know that soy wax is also used to make candles? It's a new kid on the block compared to paraffin wax, but it offers the same "pros" and none of the "cons". So, if you're a sucker for the soothing atmosphere of candles, it could be time to get switched on to the benefits of soy.

Soy candles have grown in popularity thanks to many great qualities. As soy wax is a natural base, scented soy candles have a pure fragrance, which is not sullied with the sootiness that's typical of petroleum -based candles. Soy candles are also clean burning so they won't leave black smears on walls or furniture.

If you care about the environment, you'll be interested to know that soy wax candles have good green credentials, as they are derived from natural, renewable soybeans. And they don't produce toxins as they burn, so you can enjoy a candlelit bath without breathing in any nasties. Paraffin candles, on the other hand, release 11 toxins, two of which are carcinogenic.

And what joy for home lovers - soy wax candles are water-soluble so any wax spills on tablecloths or carpets can be easily cleaned up with soap and water. Soy wax also burns at a cooler temperature than paraffin wax, so it won't cause scalding. This is especially useful in households where children and pets are active and accidents can happen all too easily.

With soy candles, as with all of the finer things in life, it's important to go for quality. If you want the best, choose100% soy wax candles like Sentelle scented soy candles. They come in lovely packaging and they're available in a variety of colours and fragrances. See them for yourself at www.sentelle.co.uk.