Product Swap #4

Jul 27th, 2011

I LOVE scented candles. I have them in my kitchen, my bedroom, three bathrooms and of course all over my mantle. I always change the scent with the season. Glade Hawaiian Breeze for the summer, Apple Cinnamon for the fall, Cinnamon Chiffon for winter and a combination of Fresh Berries for early spring and Moonlit Walk & Wandering Stream for late spring. I told you I liked scented candles. But as they say, all good things must come to an end and I have had to stop buying my Glade candles. Here’s why…

Scented candles are made from scented oils mixed with wax. Most of these scented candles use paraffin wax because it is a relatively cheap ingredient. Unfortunately, paraffin wax is derived from a petroleum by-product.

Burning petroleum in your home releases toxins such as benzene, styrene, and formaldehyde. These scented candles also cause accumulations of black soot in your home. Black soot accumulates any time there is an incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels. The EPA has even released a report citing petroleum based scented candles as an indoor pollutant and has advised caution when utilizing these candles. As if that wasn’t bad enough, many of these candles also use metallic wicks containing lead levels much higher than is approved by the EPA. When all is said and done, burning a traditional petroleum based scented candle is a health hazard emitting dangerous levels of toxic fumes and chemicals, even lead.

Thankfully, there are alternatives available. Both soy wax and beeswax scented candles are beautiful and non-toxic. Unfortunately, as I researched buying them over the internet, I found that beeswax candles are a budget buster. Soy wax candles, on the other hand, are clean burning, non toxic, and relatively inexpensive. Soy candles burn over 50% longer than paraffin candles and produce 90% less soot. Beware though that some candle company’s consider their candles to be “soy candles” even though they are “blended” with paraffin wax. Soy wax candles can be called soy candles even if they are as little as 25% soy or vegetable wax. Make sure to read the candle label. Look, now I have you reading candle labels too! While soy candles are a little more expensive then paraffin, they really do burn much longer and still come with fancy names. I think Cedar & Saffron will do just fine replacing Cinnamon Chiffon.