Are you burning the healthiest candles for your home?
Candles have been used throughout history.
The earliest uses of candles have been traced back to primitive Egypt. The
primitive Egyptians used a candle made from wax extracted from the pulp of
reeds that was soaked in melted animal fats. From this point in history the
candle began to evolve. Other ancient civilizations made candles from a
combination of plants, insects and papyrus soaked in bees wax or tallow. The
ancient Chinese developed a bee wax candle while the Japanese experimented with
candles from the wax of tree nuts. India discovered a process to create a
candle from the wax extracted from boiled cinnamon. All of these candles were used for the
practical purpose of casting light but also were heavily used for religious
rituals and ceremonies across all cultures.
Today candle making has
evolved into the creation of candles for practical, ceremonial and decorative
purposes. The types of candles available on the market have also evolved. Today
there are many factors such as the wax type and other materials that go into
the making of a candle that a consumer must consider in making the best
selection for their purposes. It is important to choose candles that will not
only meet your needs but also are healthy and safe for your family and your
home.
What type of candle wax?
An important factor to
consider in choosing candles is the type of wax used. There are 5 primary wax
types on the market today.
1. Palm
Wax – Palm wax is widely considered the best quality candle wax on the
market today. Palm wax burns cleanest with almost no smoke residue making it a
non- toxic candle type. This wax type has the longest burn time of all the
waxes and produces a very bright flame. Palm wax is good for large, long
lasting candles and does a great job at retaining the fragrance with means the
fragrance will last all the way to the end of the candle burn. Palm wax is derived the oil in palm trees. It
is 100% vegetable- based and therefore vegan. The Palm tree also has a
spiritual significance making this candle type a popular choice for ceremonial
and religious purposes. Palm wax candles
can be difficult to find, which can make them a more expensive choice compared
to other candles.
2. Soy
Wax – Soy wax candles are made from soybeans, often those that are
grown by local farmers allowing the consumer to support their local economy.
Soy candles are slow, clean burning candles that produce very little soot. Soy
candles are non-toxic. In general a soy candle will last 30% to 50% longer than
paraffin candle.
While
many do not care for the scent of soy itself in an unscented
candle, soy wax candles do seem to hold the scent of essential oils
very well releasing it slowly and steadily due to the slower candle burn. This
candle type also holds the dye color well making for a more attractive candle.
This type of wax is biodegradable and water soluble making wax spills much
easier to clean up. Soy wax is great for larger candles.
When
considering purchasing a soy candle sure the candle is “100% pure soy” to avoid
purchasing a lower quality candle that may actually be a blend of soy wax and
another lower quality wax. A blended
candle will not offer the full benefits of a 100% soy candle. Also confirm the
soy candle is organic as 90% of soy is GMO soy in today’s market.
Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Soy Candlesare a
manufacturer of high quality soy candles in several scents including Basil, Lemon,
Cranberry, Lavender and Geranium.
3. Beeswax
– Beeswax is another clean burning, long lasting candle type. It is all
natural, virtually drip free and has own pleasing scent although the honey sent
does not always blend well with other fragrances. Caution should be exercised
to look for “100% Organic” beeswax in order to obtain pure, non-gmo, raw,
unrefined and screen filtered beeswax. Beeswax is often used in luxury holiday
candles and hand sculpted candles.
Some
believe strongly in healing effects of beeswax candles, particularly as an
effective treatment for allergies although the research to support this is
inconclusive. Beeswax when burned releases negative ions into the air. Higher
concentrations of negative ions clear the air of mold spores, pollen, pet
dander, odors, cigarette smoke, bacteria, viruses, dust and other hazardous
airborne particles. When the negative ions attach to positive ions causing the
germs and other allergens to become too heavy to stay in the air the quality of
the air is improved and the effects of excess positive ions are removed. This
improves the overall feeling of wellbeing and enhances health benefits.
Bluecorn
Naturals is rated one of the top producers of beeswax candles for 2017. Other
products are also created from beeswax including everything from deodorant to
lip balm from organic companies such as Nourish
Organic.
4. Blended
Paraffin – Blended paraffin is the most widely used candle wax. More
than 95% of candles are made from blended paraffin primarily because it is an
inexpensive, easily attainable material. Paraffin is the leftover by product
from petroleum refining process. When a
paraffin candle is burned it releases same harmful carcinogens as when gasoline
is burned. The soot from burning paraffin wax collects on the jar, blackens
walls and leaves a soot film on furnishings. The black soot emission is loaded
with toxins that may trigger allergies and even asthma reactions for some.
Despite
the documented harmful effects of blended paraffin candles, they are easy to
find, inexpensive to purchase and burn very quickly. Most retail and discount stores carry this
type of candle in a variety of colors and scents.
5. Mineral
Oil, Mineral Oil Based Gel and Resin Compound Wax –Mineral based waxes
produce a generally clean, steady burning. When molded this wax type creates a
clear and bubble free candle. Mineral
based waxes have a higher melting point which results in less soot being
created from the burn. However these types of candles must be in heat resistant
containers due to the higher melting temperature or the containers may explode
and cause injury. This wax type is most often used for container and gel
candles that are intended to be decorative accents or collectible candles, not
for frequent use.
This
candle type is most often available from private crafters or home décor
retailers.
Within each wax type
there is a quality range base on quality and purity of the raw material;
extraction processes used, etc., the better the quality of the wax the better
the quality of the overall candle.
What other factors should you consider?
In addition to
considering wax type in your purchasing decision it is important to also
consider the quality of the other materials that go into the candle. These materials
include:
·
Type Of Wick -Make sure wicks are cotton with a
paper core, no lead which can be toxic.
·
Container Type – Can it be recycled or multi
use? Is it heat resistant?
·
Dyes & Fragrances – Look for plant based
dyes and essential oils.
·
Additives – Chemicals such as Vybar, Stearin,
Petrolatum. Avoid chemical additives.
·
Decorative Items– Shells, glitter, plastics,
stones, etc. Best for candles that are purely decorative and will not be
burned.
Why choose carefully?
The environment in our home and office has an impact on our
health and wellbeing. Creating a serene and peaceful environment evokes those
same feelings within our bodies. What we take in through our senses including
visual stimulate and scents can influence our mood. Carefully considering the
types of candles to burn in our environment can create an uplifting vibe and
add to your décor however we also want to make sure our choices are healthy,
non-toxic and environmentally conscious.
How do I choose?
Ensure that your environment is healthy and safe by using
the healthiest, nontoxic candles you can find.
·
Use palm wax, beeswax or 100% soy candles
·
Use candles with cotton wicks with a paper core
·
Use candles with plant based dyes and essential
oils
·
Avoid candles with chemical additives
Take standard safety precautions when burning candles.
·
Never leave burning candles unattended
·
Keep burning candles out of reach of children
and pets
·
Keep the flame low but trimming the wick
·
Make sure the candle holder is steady and secure
·
Keep candles clear of other combustible
materials
Choose to purchase pure, safe candles that reduce the toxins
in your environment and improve the feeling of wellbeing in your home or
office.
