If your like me, one of life’s simplest pleasures is lighting a candle at the end of a stressful day to help feel relaxed and at peace.

For many, candles set the mood for dinner parties and get-togethers. They’re also considered to be a wonderful gift, yet seemingly harmless candles may also be filling the air around you with toxic soot. It is becoming more widely accepted that those cheap candles at your local bargain stores especially those made of paraffin wax and synthetic fragrances, may not be a wise choice for yours or your families health after all.

Paraffin wax is commonly found to be a major ingredient in many candles on the market and that is because it is made from petroleum or coal as a cheap by-product of making gasoline. When paraffin is heated it releases toxic fumes, supposedly similar to the combustion products released from a diesel engine. In 2009, a study by South Carolina State University found that burning paraffin wax candles gives off harmful fumes (toluene and benzene) which may be linked to asthma and lung cancer.

Lets look at what we need to consider when selecting our next candle purchase and what options are best on the market.

Which candles are best for your health?

If you want to minimize the amount of particulate matter you breathe in, sticking to candles made from natural sources and choosing unscented (unless scented using essential oils only, which is rare due to the expense and shorter shelf life) is by far your best option.

According to one study, candles made from palm stearin (vegetable stearin) only release half as much soot as candles made from paraffin. The researchers also explain that natural candles seem to release the lowest amount of potentially dangerous chemicals.

Some natural candle options include:

Vegetable wax (only plant based stearin not animal)
Coconut wax
Beeswax
Soy wax (only if labelled 100% soy but most often are GMO and sprayed with pesticides)
Palm wax (however may not be sustainably sourced and difficult to trace accurately)

Please note: “stearin” can be animal based and has been shown to give off toxins when burning, however vegetable plant based stearin does not.

Be careful of companies that use a blend of waxes eg. Soy, paraffin and vegetable. There are no current guidelines for how candles can be marketed, for eg. in the USA a candle labelled as “pure soy” only needs to contain 51 percent of soy wax, so the other 49 percent could be paraffin as there are no FDA guidelines on the marketing and advertising of candle products and can therefore contain a blend of waxes. To avoid any confusion, look for labels that break down the wax blend by percentage (For eg. “100% soy wax or 100% vegetable stearin”).

Scented vs Unscented

Candles that contain fragrance or aromatic ingredients give off a very fake aroma and infuse this artificial fragrance into the air as they burn. When burned, they not only just let out the aroma but also soot, smoke and may even have additives or preservatives which release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde. These toxins further harm those who breathe this air as it contaminates the air, eventually putting your health at risk.

Manufacturers are permitted to list “fragrance” as an ingredient without actually disclosing the exact chemical makeup. The reason? It’s considered a “trade secret”. This makes it impossible to discern whether certain synthetic and potentially harmful elements are present. Buying these products only supports their “secret” and continues to enable this way of manufacturing.

It’s also possible to have an allergic reaction to scented candles. Symptoms can include:

sneezing
runny nose
sinus blockage
skin irritations
sore eyes

Unscented candles usually contain zero additives or preservatives, produce zero to no soot, or smoke, whilst still being able to clear the space of odour.

The Wick

Since 2003, it’s highly unlikely you’ll encounter a lead wick these days especially in Australia, however, some candles still use other metals to help wicks stand up straight. Opt for a 100 percent cotton wick or a wood wick.

What’s so great about the Eco range of candles in my shop?

The Eco candle range have been hand selected after considering all of the above factors. I decided to stock them because they are;

Made from 100% all-natural vegetable stearin wax
Sustainably sourced and RSPO certified
Made with a 100% cotton braided wick
Unscented meaning there are no perfumes or synthetic fragrances used
Only natural dyes are used to colour the wax and not synthetic colourants
Vegan and cruelty free
Considered slow burning
Designed to be smokeless and dripless when used correctly
Hand poured in Indonesia, in a World Fairtrade Organization certified workshop
Sourced from a local Brisbane based supplier
More affordable than other quality alternatives such as Beeswax and Soy
Available in a beautiful range of vintage ‘on trend’ colours

You can see why I have carefully selected this beautiful range of Eco candles to have here on my website for you.

Please check out the current range in my shop.

If you are looking for anything in particular, such as a different colour range for a special event, I can arrange this for you. Please feel free to get in contact to discuss further.

Shop Candles

New Vintage Glass Candle Holders.

With a striking, retro silhouette and elegant pleated glass finish this selection of cleverly designed candle holders can accommodate multiple candle types. Mix and match with colour coordinating eco candles.

Candle Care & Tips

How do I prevent candles from dripping? Candles burn best when placed upright on a flat, stable surface indoors and free from breezes. For best results ensure candles are placed away from air-conditioning vents and open doorways. Always select an appropriate candle holder to ensure your surfaces and table linens are protected.

How do I prevent candles from smoking? Our candles have pure cotton, lead free wicks and have been designed not to smoke, providing you keep the wick trimmed to 5mm – 8mm in length before each lighting. A candle wick trimmer is the ideal tool for this. Longer candle wicks are the primary cause of candle smoking and black soot forming around your candle glass.

Can I burn my candles outdoors? Candles burn optimally in indoor, protected environments free from breezes and air conditioning vents. However, should you wish to burn your candles outdoors, we recommend selecting an appropriate Candle Vase, Votive Holder or Cylinder Sleeve to protect the candle from breezes.

How do I store my candles? When not in use, candles should be stored in a cool, dry place, free from dust and protected from direct sunlight. Due to the all-natural products and dyes used in our Moreton Eco coloured candle range, we recommend you avoid placing your candles next to windows or in direct sunlight as it may cause colour fading.

What to look for when buying candles.