Candle Store is dedicated to bringing you scented and unscented candles in all varieties plus all the wonderful things that accompany them from candle holders and trays to hard to find candles like those for christenings and special ocassions.
Scented Candles
Over the past few years, you may have heard rumblings about how scented candles may potentially be harmful to one’s health. However, as with many rumors such as this, the truth is not so clear-cut as the hearsay would suggest. And because there has often been a shortage of good information about the real benefits and potential drawbacks of scented candles, it’s created an atmosphere where myths are often taken as truth, and where the worry is disproportionate to the actual danger. Let’s clear up the misconceptions about these candles. Are scented candles really unsafe?
The facts about scented candles
Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this question. The most important thing to remember is that the vast majority of scented candles produced are not the least bit harmful when burned in moderation. As with everything, it’s possible to go overboard, and there’s no telling what will happen if you close all your windows and burn dozens of scented candles at once, but does anyone actually do this? More often we burn one or two candles at a time and keep our homes well-ventilated. In this case, there is absolutely nothing wrong with most scented candles.
However, it’s important to note that at least one reputable study has found that candles with lead wicks release a large amount of chemicals that could potentially be hazardous. It just so happens that scented candles most often contain these lead wicks. It’s the wicks, not the chemicals, that are dangerous, especially to young children, pregnant women, or people with respiratory problems.
When it comes to the scents themselves, most scented candles contain such a small amount of chemical material that they’re nothing to worry about. If you’ve ever made scented candles yourself, you probably know this; compared to the amount of wax contained in a candle, things like dyes and fragrances are so minimal as to be negligible.
Sure, there are certain types of chemicals that you wouldn’t want to put in scented candles even in negligible amounts. The type of lead contained in some candle wicks is the perfect example. Even in trace quantities, the lead can release chemicals that may be harmful to people who are vulnerable. For a healthy adult, even these lead-wick candles may not be dangerous, but why mess around with them at all when there are alternatives?
Scented candle safety
In response to these allegations about the potential dangers of scented candles, many companies have begun to release candles that are much purer in their content, using simple waxes combined with natural ingredients rather than artificial chemical-based scents. If you want to be safe, find some scented candles that are made with all natural ingredients.
Meanwhile, it’s always a good idea to put safety first when it comes to the products we consume. Most candles may not be harmful at all, but just to be safe, it’s a good idea to avoid burning too many candles at once, and it’s also best to have some type of ventilation as you burn scented candles, even if it’s just an open door and a cracked window in the next room.
Unscented Candles
If you’re in the market for unscented candles, there are many reasons why soy wax is beneficial when compared to the alternatives. Paraffin wax is good, but it has some drawbacks, and as a result it is losing ground to soy in the candle industry. Plus, while paraffin can be useful in candle craft-making, soy is now becoming the top choice for all kinds of handcrafted candles. Here are some of the main reasons why soy wax is the best choice for unscented candles.
1. Soy candles burn cleanly: Well-made paraffin wax is not necessarily more dirty than soy wax, but the fact is that there are many paraffin-based unscented candles that contain a lot of additives that make the candles dirty and more harmful to the environment. When you see that black rim of soot around a candle jar or candle holder, that’s because the material has been blended with non-pure ingredients. With soy candle wax, this is hardly ever a problem.
2. Sustainability: Paraffin wax is a highly processed oil-based material whose production involves a lot of waste. Plus, when you buy paraffin wax you’re mainly supporting large oil companies, whereas when you buy soy wax you end up supporting small farmers. For U.S. buyers, purchasing soy wax means supporting domestic agriculture rather than sending your money overseas to international petroleum companies.
3. Easier to use: While paraffin wax works great for molded candles due to the fact that it holds together well, soy wax is much more useful for simple types of candles such as pillar candles and votive candles. While it doesn’t tend to work well for molded candles, soy wax is very easy to handle when creating these other varieties. It melts smoothly, is easily mixed with scents and dyes, and dries relatively quickly, all of which make it a very useful material for craft candles.
4. Cheaper: Because soy wax is cheaper and easier to produce than other types of unscented candle wax, it tends to cost less at the consumer level. If you like to make your own candles, soy wax is great because you can usually get a large block of it for just a few bucks. That’s why we’re seeing more and more companies using soy wax to produce most of their candles these days. Not only is it a high-quality wax, but it only costs pennies.
5. Pleasant scent: Technically, soy wax is unscented, but you do notice a slight hint of something in the air when you burn it, just as you do with any type of candle. Well scent can be a subjective sense, I personally find the smell of soy candle wax to top that of other varieties.
6. Soy burns slowly: Compared to the petroleum-based paraffin wax, soy wax burns about 25% longer in most cases. This may not seem like a lot, but if you like to burn lots of candles on a regular basis, this 25% can really add up over the course of your unscented candle usage.
Enjoy the candles you buy here at the Candles Store.