Candles in the home give us a pleasant and serene experience. But do you have an idea that many of these candles harm the environment? Nowadays, we are experiencing many climate changes, indicating the need to follow steps to protect the environment around us. Our environment may benefit greatly from even tiny sustainable and organic actions from us. Can using organic candles be one of those steps? Let’s explore more.
Candles contain paraffin wax which is a byproduct of petroleum and can be hazardous to the environment. Moreover, many candles contain artificial fragrances and pesticide and chemicals-filled wicks. Burning these not only harm the environment but also harm the person who inhales the air in that room!
However, as people are becoming more conscious and responsible towards the environment, there are many eco-friendly options growing in the market. From reusable rockets to the growth of thrift stores, people are following more sustainable lifestyles to support the environment. It’s high time we realize the effect paraffin candles have on the environment and take necessary actions.
How do candles harm the environment?
Anything that burns releases gases into the environment, irrespective of its size. Whether it is firewood or wildfire or candles, burning anything leaves fumes. These fumes enter the environment around us and also would be inhaled by living beings.
When using paraffin wax candles, it releases harmful gases and even sometimes carcinogens because of synthetic fragrances. You must have been thinking that it’s just a small candle but imagine its effects when millions of people are using it! Shocked? That’s why it is crucial to shift to Sustainable candles.
Moreover, paraffin wax is a byproduct of petroleum, extracting which causes air pollution and water pollution. Moreover, extracting more petroleum decreases sources of non-renewable energy too!
All these points clearly suggest the need to shift to eco-friendly candles.
What are eco-friendly candles?
As the name suggests, eco-friendly candles are made with products that don’t harm or adversely affect the environment. These candles are sustainable and made with natural wax such as beeswax, soy wax, etc.; for fragrance, the makers use essential oil instead of harmful synthetic fragrances. Lighting these candles not only gives you a serene and cozy feeling but also doesn’t harm your health. Considering the impacts of paraffin wax candles, it is always suggestible to use organic candles.
Benefits of eco-friendly candles
- The first and foremost benefit of eco-friendly candles is their positive effect on supporting the environment.
- Organic candles burn more time compared to paraffin ones. The melting points of natural wax are higher than paraffin. This gives value to your money too!
- Eco-friendly candles don’t contain any chemicals, so you can breathe the aroma, and it won’t adversely affect your health.
- Eco-friendly candles are one of the best sustainable gift ideas to present to people around you. In this way, you can also encourage them to support the environment.
- Natural and sustainable candles produce less smoke and soot.
- Eco-friendly candles are made up of biodegradable and recycling containers. This decreases waste on the earth.
- There are many locals and small-scale industries selling natural candles. When you buy these products, you can support them.
- If you are a vegan, who follows veganism from buying makeup products to vegan shoes, you can find vegan candles too!
Things to Consider Before Buying Organic Candles
You can find many products online with the tag “organic” and “natural.” But remember, not all may be eco-friendly. Let’s look at some considerations to make when purchasing candles.
1. Wax
As discussed earlier, the type of wax plays a crucial role in sustainable candles. You can get candles made up of soy wax, coconut wax, palm wax, or ethical beeswax. If you follow veganism, you can avoid beeswax. Soy wax is prepared from soybeans. Soybeans are processed to produce soy oil, and this oil is used to prepare soy wax. Similarly, coconut wax and palm wax are prepared from coconut oil and palm oil, respectively.
2. Wick
Wick is another vital thing to consider while buying a candle. Basically, there are two types of wicks available in the market. One is made up of cotton, and another is wood. Usually, wood is cut down in thin slices and used in its pure and natural form. It is biodegradable and considered to be sustainable too.
On the other hand, cotton, in its pure form, is also organic. But many companies use thin metal strips placed in the middle of the cotton wick so that it burns quickly. Some companies coat the wick with a layer of paraffin to catch the flame quickly. These companies claim their wicks as eco-friendly, but in fact, they are not!
Wood wicks which are painted or varnished are also not eco-friendly. The paint on the wick releases harmful gases on burning. Farming cotton takes more water, and cutting down an older tree can cause deforestation. However, as the wood required for a wick is very small, one tree can give trillions of wicks. So, think about all these aspects and the choice is yours!
However, if you prepare your candles at home or buy them through small-scale industries, you can find two more choices of wicks. Those are rolled paper and hemp. Hemp requires comparably low water to harvest.
3. Container
The candle’s container is also substantial. Choose a container that is eco-friendly, sustainable or biodegradable, or recyclable. Most organic candles contain glass containers, and some may have recycling materials. Wooden containers, metal containers, jars, ceramic candle containers, concrete containers, and enamel containers are also the best choices.
I recently came across some candles made up of soy wax in coconut shells. You can also prepare this type of candle at home and use your creativity to paint the shell using organic colors.
4. Essential oil
There are many natural essential oils to use in the preparation of the candle. These essential oils are plant extracts in highly concentrated forms, giving a pleasant and unique aroma to the candle. For example, lemon, citrus, lavender, vanilla, lemongrass, rose, tea tree, mint, eucalyptus, etc. are some choices you can choose.
Bestselling Organic Candles on Amazon
- Ideal for spaces like working desk, dining table or bathroom; Not ideal for large rooms.
- 4 enchanting aromas
- Provides pleasing fragrances that can help enrich the ambiance of your home by bringing the beauty of the outdoors inside
- Burning time: Upto 15 hours .
- 𝗔𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗣𝗬 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗙𝗜𝗧𝗦 : AuraDecor Soya Jar Wax Candle is the most powerful scent for relaxation and cleansing. It creates a natural harmony in the home and body to help you focus on energy cleansing, protection, and blessings. It also helps in positivity and productivity
- 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗨𝗠 𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗣𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗢𝗬 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗟𝗘𝗦 : Enjoy the luxury aromatic experience with these Fancy Amber Jar Candle handmade in India. Made of natural soy wax and highest quality fragrance, this beauty will transform your space with a lovely aroma. Size –
- 𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗛 𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗔𝗗 : A reconstitution of natural pink peony flowers, with it’s soft petals top note & sweet honey floral heart
- 𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗦 : { Top Notes 5 to 10 minutes : Peony, Pink Flower, Petal Floral Soft } { Heart Notes 20 to 60 Minutes : Floral, Rose, Pink Peony} { Base Note upto 6 hours : Sweet, Honey Sweet Floral, Woody}
- FRAGRANCE: Madurai Jasmine / Chameli / Motia / Mogra
- NET QUANTITY: 200 grams. Burn Time: 55 hours
- INGREDIENTS: Natural Soy wax and fragrant essential oil
- SAFE TO USE: Lead-free cotton wick add to their eco-friendly composition
- Bella Vita Organic Glass Aroma Candles come in a pack of two, each containing four 60g candles in Vanilla, Cinnamon, Lavender, and Rose scents, perfect for gifting and bedroom decor
- These candles have a long-lasting burning time of up to 15 hours each, filling your home with beautiful aromas for an extended period
- Made with high-grade wax and natural ingredients, these candles add to your space’s aesthetic appeal and provide a soothing and calming effect
- The high-quality glass jars and lids make them easy to handle and add a touch of elegance to your home decor
- – Premium SOY WAX : Made from Premium soy wax, which produces 90 percent less soot than paraffin, which results in emitting less smoke in the air.
- 100% COTTON WICK & PREMIUM GLASS JAR WITH CAP : Glass Jar is reusable & recyclable. The cap makes the candle easy to use multiple times without losing the original fragrance.
- PREMIUM FRAGRANCES WITH EXCELLENT HOT THROW : Infuse your home with a delightful candle for home fragrance, sweet sparkling champagne mixed with a touch of fruity aroma, the delicate and fresh aroma can remove peculiar smell, calm the nerves, relieve anxiety, insomnia, mediation, create atmosphere and soothe the mood.
- BURN TIME UPTO 18 HOURS: Soy wax burns slower than paraffin, meaning you get a candle that lasts longer, while all candles emit some black soot while burning, soy wax burns cleaner and results in less soot than paraffin.
- Paraffin free: The best alternative for the paraffin wax is the beeswax. Paraffin wax can cause many side effects and many of us are not even aware of this. On other hand beeswax candles helps us with purifying the air and it does so because of the negative ions released from it while burning.
- Hand rolled: The goodness of the candle depends upon a good chandler. At Indigenous, beeswax candles are rolled and made by chandlers. These are made by the trained team of chandlers, and they make sure of the best shaped and 100% pure beeswax candles are made.
- Long lasting: Indigenous Beeswax candles has the long-lasting property of burning and burns brighter without releasing any black smoke. This is the best option for the Christ Candle – a symbol of the life of Christ. Also, when it comes about showing the purity, good luck, power, goodness and fighting against the darkness by bringing the light on the festival of Diwali, Indigenous Beeswax candle is the best fitting option.
- Natural fragrance: Our little buzzing bees does a lot of hard work for our mother nature and for us. Along with making the honey, bees also produce the purest form of wax. The candles made by this wax has the natural fragrance of honey and nectar of flowers.
- This tin jar candles handpoured with 100% soy wax. Enrich the ambiance across your living space with our scented candles.
- These Mini Scented tin candles burns for 30-40 Hours.
- Made from 100% natural wax. Equipped with the lead-free organic cotton wick will provide cleaner burning without soot & irregular lump. Soywax scented candles burn very cleanly when the wick is trimmed properly. Make sure to trim wick to 1/4 inch before each relighting
- This scented designer tin jar candle with cork lid is an ideal present or return gifts for various festivals such as Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Diwali, Thanksgiving, Birthdays,Marriage, baby showers etc for your loved ones and the best part of these candles are these tin jars can be reused to keep jewelry, dry fruits or for gifting
- HANDCRAFTED PREMIUM AROMATHERAPY TEALIGHTS: Find Paradise in this Exclusive Blend of Beachy Coconut Cream with French Vanilla! A Rich Burst of Fragrance Inspired by Tropical Oasis with Hidden Notes of Rainbow Plumeria, Bright Lotus & Sugared Sand.
- COZY AND WELCOMING AMBIANCE: Not your average tealight! Replace your oil diffusers and incense sticks with our strongly scented mini candles for Relaxation, Stress Relief, and as an Air Freshener, Releasing A Luxurious, Inviting and Comforting Aroma that Will Uplift Anyone’s Mood
- SUPERIOR QUALITY FULLY REFINED WAX: Our tea light candles are made with lead free 100% cotton wick for a safe, clean, and smokeless burn. Compact yet generous in size (1.5 in diameter & 0.65 in height) with a long flame of up to 5 hours each
- TRAVEL FRIENDLY: Unbreakable container like aluminum teacups in a sturdy gift box makes our tealights easy to toss in your luggage and travel with. If you are on the go for work or fun, take this with you on the go to make your hotel room more cozy
- PREMIUM QUALITY WAX : Made from Premium quality wax, which produces less soot & less smoke. Burns consistently and provides pleasant aroma.
- 100% COTTON WICK & PREMIUM GLASS JAR WITH CAP : Glass Jar is reusable & recyclable. The cap makes the candle easy to use multiple times without losing the original fragrance.
- PREMIUM FRAGRANCES WITH EXCELLENT HOT THROW : Infuse your home with a delightful candle for home fragrance, sweet sparkling champagne mixed with a touch of fruity aroma, the delicate and fresh aroma can remove peculiar smell, calm the nerves, relieve anxiety, insomnia, mediation, create atmosphere and soothe the mood.
- BURN TIME UPTO 10 HOURS: Our premium wax burns slower than paraffin, meaning you get a candle that lasts longer, while all candles emit some black soot while burning, our premium wax burns cleaner and results in less soot.
Conclusion
Any significant change can happen from a slight movement. Your small step to switch towards organic candles can considerably impact the environment. You can choose any organic candles of your choice. The type of wax used, type of wick, choice of essential oil, and the containers should be considered before buying an organic candle. You can also prepare your own candle at home.
