“Candles are fast becoming one of the most common unrecognized causes of poor indoor air quality.” – Diane Walsh Astry, executive director of the Health House Project
One of the easiest fixes into creating a cleaner home for you and your loved ones is to ditch those paraffin wax candles. I know it’s hard but it’s time to say goodbye to all those luxurious Diptyque and Jo Malon candles (at least your bank account will thank you) Bath & Body Works candles and don’t get me started on Yankee candles.
The problem with most candles are three-fold: paraffin wax, metal wicks, and artificial fragrances that are full of phthalates. The first being that the majority of candles are made using paraffin which is a petroleum byproduct, second many candles have a metal core wick which can pollute your air, and l
Paraffin is a petroleum waste product created when crude oil is refined into gasoline.
The vast majority of all candles on the market today are made up of paraffin wax. Before it can be made to wax, the paraffin has to be deodorized and chemically bleached. Therefore, when you are burning a paraffin wax candle you are emitting toxic chemicals like benzene into the air. Yes, the same benzene that you find in diesel fumes – no thanks!
As I mentioned earlier, the other main issue with candles is the wick. Ideally, you want your candles to have a 100% cotton wick, but many scented candles have wicks that use a metal core instead to prevent the wick from limping and falling over into the wax.
Burning candles with a metal core wick releases toxins into your home that you and your family will be breathing in such as lead fumes.
Dr. Jerome O. Nriagu, a professor of environmental chemistry, studied scented candles and found that burning four metal-wick candles for two hours can result in airborne lead concentrations that pose a threat to human health, putting those with weaker immune systems including children and the elderly particularly at risk. You can read more about the study here.
Artificial fragrances are full of chemicals called phthalates
Phthalates are one of the most commonly used chemicals in production. It acts as a plasticizer to make plastics more flexible and harder to break and used as a solvent in cosmetics and are used in scented candles to extend its aromatic strength. Phthalates have a wide range of health issues from headaches to respiratory issues and sometimes cancer, not to mention are known endocrine disruptors that are linked to problems of the reproductive system. Keep in mind that phthalates aren’t only present in scented candles, so exposure to it easily adds up. In the year 2000, the CDC tested 289 people and fond phthalates in all of the subject’s blood at surprisingly high levels (Blount 2000).
So how do you choose a non-toxic candle?
Soy candles and are a great alternative but the very best is to switch to pure beeswax candles. Just make sure the label reads 100% soy, coconut, or beeswax as companies like to create blends with paraffin wax because it’s cheaper. Look for candles that are scented naturally with botanical extracts and essential oils. And lastly, make sure the wick is metal-free.
The benefits of beeswax candles
Pure beeswax candles help clean the air by emitting negative ions which binds with toxins and helps remove them from the air. Basically, it improves allergies, asthma and more by releasing negative ions which neutralize the positively charged air pollutants. Pure beeswax candles don’t have artificial scents or toxic colorants, their fragrance and wax color will vary depending on where the bees forage — how cool is that? Another option is to go the the aromatherapy route and diffuse essential oils, which are not only safe but they have added benefits as well.
Beeswax candles we like to use:
- Big Moon Beeswax Co makes some of my favorite artisan style candles. They always have a seasonal collection made up of beautiful candles that I like to light when we are entertaining guests.
- These tealight candles have a great burn-time and arrives in cute eco-friendly packaging.
- A case of these tapers which help set the mood and is great table decor during holiday dinners
- Hearthsong Holiday-Themed 100% Beeswax Candle Rolling Craft Kit are a lot of fun to make as gifts with the kiddos
Other great non-toxic Candle Options:
Pure Plant Home candles are made up of coconut wax and essential oils. They come in a variety of scents to fit whatever mood you’re in. You can also find them on the Thrive Market website.
Woodlot Candles are organic coconut and non-GMO soy wax, scented with essential oils, burns for up to 60 hours, packaged in recycled glass
However on a day to day basis we love diffusing pure grade essential oils.
Not only are they a great option to keep your home smelling nice, but it comes with a lot of added benefits like promoting good sleep and elevating your mood. When diffusing essential oils you want to make sure it is 100% pure and unadulterated that way it maintains all its natural ingredients and therapeutic properties. During the day, I always like to diffuse a citrus oil like wild orange for its energizing effect not to mention it also makes your house smell like it’s been transported to a field of orange groves. In the evenings I diffuse lavender in our bedroom and in the kid’s bedroom. It really helps us all wind down and go to bed with ease. I’ve always been a fan of both Young Living and doTERRA essential oils. And if you are just getting started in the realm of essential oils check out this website’s beginner’s guide to essential oils.