Nothing puts me in the mood to light a candle faster than a crisp fall breeze. It adds that instant coziness factor. Since candle season is upon us, now is a great time to make sure our cozy candles are also keeping our indoor air healthy. Below, in my non-toxic candle guide, I’m sharing what to look for to find non-toxic candles and some of my personal favorites!
Understanding the Harmful Effects of Traditional Candles
Traditional candles seem harmless, I mean, how bad can they be? Unfortunately, they’ve been named a source of indoor air pollution and can be especially harmful for more vulnerable people (elderly, infants, asthma sufferers, etc.).
Wax On, Wax Off
The main culprit behind these harmful emissions is the wax used in traditional candles. Most traditional candles are made of paraffin wax, derived from petroleum, coal, or shale oil. When burned, paraffin wax releases a mix of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These VOCs can linger in your home, affecting air quality long after the candle is extinguished.
A Scent To Die For
(Too dramatic? I know, but sometimes I can’t help myself)
In addition to the harmful effects of the wax, traditional candles often contain synthetic fragrances. These fragrances are made of chemicals that can trigger allergies and irritate the respiratory system. They can also release VOCs, along with other carcinogens, further contributing to poor indoor air quality.
You can read more about synthetic fragrance and why you may want to skip it here
Don’t Dye On Me
Walk through the mall during fall and you’re sure to see a few *a-hem* popular stores with festive candles dyed all different colors. But most sources, natural and mainstream alike, advise skipping dyed candles. Dyes have quite a bit of harmful substances that get released into the air during burning. Most notably, Benzidine.
Wicked or Wick-ed?
The last thing is the wick. This may seem like an itty bitty thing, but there are still a few issues. While lead was banned in US-made wicks in 2003, it may still be present in candles manufactured elsewhere. To avoid heavy metals, along with other substances, look for candles with paper-core, cotton, or wood wicks.
Ok, that was a lot of bad news coupled with extra dramatic (but clever) headings. There is good news though: By choosing clean-burning, naturally scented alternatives, you can keep your home cozy and healthy.
Exploring Non-Toxic Candle Options
Enough with the bad, it’s time to explore non-toxic candle options. These non-toxic alternatives not only eliminate harmful pollutants but also provide a safer and healthier atmosphere in your home. Let’s delve into the world of non-toxic candles!
How To Find Truly Non-toxic Candles
It’s important to look for natural wax, such as soy wax, beeswax, or coconut wax. These plant-based waxes not only burn cleaner but also produce minimal soot and smoke, unlike paraffin candles.
Beeswax has some added benefits, as it releases negative ions. This can help remove odors and more from the air. Not to mention, it tends to be one of the longest-burning options.
Furthermore, non-toxic candles are often scented with essential oils instead of synthetic fragrances. I’m wary of brands claiming to be natural but mixing in synthetic scents or fragrance oils with essential oils. It’s popping up more and more.
On that note, several brands say they’re using green chemistry to create non-toxic scents that may be more sustainable than the natural source, in some cases. Since a lot of synthetic fragrances are shrouded in mystery, I can’t give a sweeping yay or nay to these options, but I’ll share one such option below.
My Favorite Non-Toxic Candles
Bluecorn Candles– 100% beeswax and SO many different options for sizes and types of candles. Though most of the candles are unscented, they use essential oils for the scented candles. They have some dyed options and have shared detailed info on the dye they use with me. If you’re curious, shoot me an email and I can send it to you.
Fontana Candle Co.– My favorite pick for scented candles. They use only natural materials and have great scents for fall and winter! All from essential oils, of course. They also have decent prices for the world of scented candles.
Shiva Rose– Consider this your upscale, luxury candle. If you’ve smelled anything from Shiva Rose, you know how next-level the scents are.
More options:
Back To Basics– While I haven’t personally tried this one, I’ve tried many things from their shop and know they make high-quality, natural products. This sounds like it has a lovely scent, as well.
Nette– This is one of the brands using “greener” synthetic scents that I spoke of above. While I can’t personally vouch for them, they do have quite a bit of information available on ingredients they won’t use. I wanted to include them for anyone curious about this.
Hopefully, this non-toxic candle guide will point you in the right direction to keep your home cozy and healthy!
*Some affiliate links used. All thoughts are always my own.
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