You may never think twice about what could be lurking in that hunk of wax simmering on your counter, but you should. Many conventional candles are filled with all kinds of toxic nasties that make the air in your home worse instead of better.
Phthalates, artificial colors and odors, petroleum by-products, lead…any or all of these can be lurking in one simple candle and that candle can create a toxic atmosphere and soot that can build up in your home and lungs that can cause some serious problems especially for those with allergies and asthma.
Have No Fear Candle Lovers
Healthier candles exist. You can opt for soy, natural beeswax or vegetable-based paraffin wax candles. All of these are made from healthy, natural, renewable resources. Also make sure your candles are made with lead-free wicks and natural fragrances such as essential oils. For a really green option, make sure the candle containers can be reused or/and recycled.
Soy candles are popping up everywhere, but make sure the ingredients and the company are eco-friendly. Just because the candles are made from soy does not mean all the ingredients are natural. Many still contain artificial fragrances…those you do not want. Look for fragrances made from essential oils and absolutes.
Companies That Offer Eco-Candles
Here are several companies that offer superior soy, beeswax and vegatable paraffin candles.
- Suey’s Scents offers beautiful and wonderfully scented soy candles along with a variety of bath and body products. The candles come in assorted size glass apothecary jars, metal tins and small tea lights. All the candle containers can be reused or recycled and the soy wax burns clean.
- Illume has a great line of very happy, eco-friendly candles, home fragrances and body products properly labeled Happiology. The Happiology candles are crafted with 100% natural soy, palm and beeswax and blended with essential oils. The Happiology line has three scents: Bamboo and Agave, Sunshower, and Yuzu Mint.
- Lorain’s Touch has unique and wonderful soy candles that are made on or near the full moon so they are infused with positive energy. Not only are they eco-friendly, they are made with love.
- Scandle has created eco-friendly candles that burn at ultra low temperatures so the warm wax can be poured on the body and used as a massage oil or moisturizing lotion.
- Butterfly Effects makes pure soy wax candles made from soybeans grown in the USA. Pure, natural essential oils are used to scent these delightful candles, and no dyes are used to color the wax. You end up with pure white candles in reusable and recyclable glass tumblers or curvy glass jars with lids.
- K Hall Designs is another fabulously green company offering luxury bath and body products including soy candles. The scents available are enough to draw attention. Absolutely aroma-fabulous.
Candle Shopping Tips
When shopping for eco-candles make sure everything has an eco-element, not just the wax. Two of the main things to look for are natural fragrances and lead-free wicks in addition to the soy or beeswax. Many eco-candles have organic cotton lead free wicks and are scented with pure essential oils. These are the best candles for your money.
