Candles add warmth and a welcoming feeling to any space. In our homes, candles can add beauty to a tablescape, make a powder room smell pleasant, and welcome you around a kitchen island. There is no denying the ambiance a candle can offer.
But, how well do you know what is in your candle? Over the years, I have had many conversations with people who believe they are living a clean, non-toxic life (because it is important to them) and yet they often use scented candles. Or worse yet, people who are trying to detox their home environments because of health reasons (or children with allergies or asthma) and still use their candles because they don’t want to give them up or don’t think they could be negatively contributing to the problem. Eeeek…don’t even get me started on air fresheners, plug-ins or melts. That’s another topic.
I certainly am not trying to be the fun sponge here. I am not going around and sucking up any joy in life and trying to tell you it can be negatively impacting your life. What I do want to do is help you understand that, just like most other things, there are good options and not so good options in candles. So lets talk about what to look for in a candle and why. I LOVE candles. I have them in my home. Just like anything else, make a better choice on what type to use and feel good about knowing better and doing better.
Types of Wax:
Paraffin:
Most candles are made with paraffin wax. Paraffin in the cheapest and easiest for candlemakers but it is also highly toxic. Paraffin is waste from the petroleum industry and it releases carcinogenic fumes when burned. The fumes are very similar to those from a diesel engine, can contain benzene and toluene and can most defiantly aggravate asthma and allergies. (http://www.anapsid.org/cnd/mcs/candles.html )
Soy:
A good alternative is soy wax. But there’s a catch. The majority of soy wax candles are not 100% soy. A product to labeled as “pure soy” has to only contain 51% soy wax. Wait, what?!? That’s right. Marketing ploys and loopholes at their finest. This is why it can be so difficult to find the right products even when you are trying. Unfortunately the other 49% is often a blend of that cheap paraffin we were talking about, making these blended soy candles not really any better for you. To find a product that is 100% soy, the label should say “100% soy wax”, not “soy blend”, “pure soy” or similar. This doesn’t even take into consideration the fragrance that may be added to the wax. Soy, soy blend or not, if toxic fragrance blends are added it doesn’t really matter. But more on that in a minute…
Coconut:
Another wonderful (and newer to the mainstream market) option is Coconut Wax. While this is a softer wax and can only be used in its pure form in certain types of candles, it is very clean burning, a renewable resource and holds fragrance well (clean, safe, natural fragrance of course). Additionally, unlike soy, coconut is not a mainstream gmo crop, although gmo coconuts do exist.
Beeswax:
A great wax option is 100% pure beeswax. That’s right, made by our friends the bees. Notice I said “100% pure beeswax”, not a blend. Beeswax is amazing. However, there are some challenges with beeswax, so often you will only see tapers or small pillars. It is not as ideal for use in poured candles or jars. Did you know it can have healing and cleaning properties when burned?
Beeswax has a negative ion charge when it is burned. Common indoor pollutants have a positive charge. Substances like pollen, dust, dirt and dander float around suspended in the air and just wait to be inhaled. How amazing that the negative beeswax ions find and bind to the pollutants rendering them neutral and they tend to fall to the ground (time to vacuum!). Bet you didn’t think candle buying would include chemistry skills, did you?
This means is that burning a beeswax candle can clean the air and result in relief from asthma, allergies and indoor air pollution. There are many claims that burning a pure beeswax candle in your room prior to sleep provides relief for many who suffer from allergies and asthma. Worth a try, right?
Fragrance options:
Fragrance. Oh fragrance. That word sends chills down my spine. Most importantly because we don’t know what it is? When someone tells me they’d like to begin removing environmental toxins from their home, one of the first things I tell them to do is begin reading labels and toss anything that has “fragrance” or “parfum” listed. Fragrance is the secret hiding spot for all the worst, most toxic ingredients in products because they don’t have to be listed and this list of potential ingredients is closing in on 4000. Fragrance is protected under the outdated loophole of “trade secrets” that manufacturers can hide behind. Not something I’d like on my skin or in my lungs.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) researchers found more than 75 percent of products listing the ingredient “fragrance” contained phthalates which have been shown to disrupt hormones, reduce sperm counts, and cause reproductive malformation, and have been linked to liver and breast cancer, diabetes, and obesity. Now is this something you want polluting your air? Especially indoors where the space is small and scents are more concentrated; think candles burning in a small powder room or bedroom. Ick.
The best way to scent a candle is with 100% pure essential oils or a natural blend that you trust. Sometimes pure essentials do not give off enough scent so they can be blended. Be sure to avoid phthalates, sulfates and parabens here. This is certainly a reason to find a candlemaker you trust and who can explain exactly what is in the candle fragrance and why it is being used. And again, if you aren’t sure what you are looking at on the ingredient list, ask. Call, email, chat with whomever you have to at the company until you get answers you feel comfortable with.
Wicks:
There is good new and bad news regarding wicks. The good news is unless you have really old candles, you are probably safe from the lead toxicity candles prior to 2003 could cause. Before 2003 many candles had lead center wicks for stability. These type of candles omits seven times the amount of lead considered hazardous for children. Unfortunately, a 2003 investigation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found some candle wicks still containing lead. Check labels, ask questions. Lead poisoning in children can lead to learning, developmental and physical complications. Think the lead paint catastrophe of the last generation. When choosing a wick, look for one that does not have a metal core, just to be safe. Choose paper, cotton or hemp wicks which will burn cleanly. Organic would be even better! Be sure to trim wicks to 1/8 inch for safety.
Shopping Tips:
If taking all of this info into consideration, what should be on the candle shopping list? Opt for 100% pure beeswax candles that burn cleanly and have a natural sweet smell. Think warm honey. If that is not an option, 100% pure soy or a coconut blend is a safer choice. Be sure to look for information on the scent. Accept only pure essential oils as fragrance. Not sure what is actually in the candle? Ask the manufacturer. I do it all the time. If they can’t/wont tell you, chances are they don’t want you to know and you should keep shopping.
Even with natural fragrance you have to be careful. Know how you personally react to scents. Keep in mind jus because it is natural or organic it isn’t necessarily safe. Think food allergies, seasonal allergies and skin sensitivities (hello? poison ivy? a plant that is natural as can be with terrible side effects. Not that I am suggesting poison ivy candles, but you get the idea here, right?).
Keep in mind, most candle companies are not setting themselves up to be non-toxic or exist specifically in this market space. However if you have a brand you love and want to know what is burning in your home, you have a right to find out. Find a brand you love and trust. Fill your home with items that add to the quality of your life. Candles add beautiful warmth and ambiance to our homes. Most importantly, they shouldn’t add toxins. Another small way to improve the quality of life.
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