Are beeswax candles cleaner burning than paraffin?
While burning, they emit the same light spectrum as the sun, which gives a more comforting ambiance than paraffin candles. Beeswax has a high melting point (highest of any wax), meaning that your candles will last a lot longer than paraffin. They don’t drip as much either, which leaves less mess.
How are beeswax candles clear the air?
- Grow an organic garden.
- Plant nectar-producing plants, with the bees in mind.
- Buy local beeswax
- Adopt a beehive
What does candle burn faster soy or beeswax?
These are our picks for best throwing soy waxes:
- AAK Golden Brands 464. Our favorite wax and longtime best seller.
- AAK Golden Brands 444. Very similar to 464, but with a slightly higher melt point.
- Cargill Nature Wax C-3.
What are the best non toxic candles?
What to look for in a nontoxic candle.
- Wicks Some wicks have a metal core, which may contain lead and other metals, even though lead has been banned in candles since 2003. ...
- Wax Paraffin- and petroleum-derived waxes release chemicals into the air when burned, even if they are "premium grade." It's better to choose clean-burning soy wax or beeswax, but be ...
- Fragrance
Do beeswax candles emit toxins?
Nikaeta Sadekar, a respiratory toxicologist with the nonprofit Research Institute for Fragrance Materials, agreed. Exposure to chemicals emitted by scented candles “is so low that they pose no significant risk to human health,” she said.
Are beeswax candles safe to breathe?
Hence they are a highly toxic and environmentally unfriendly product that literally poisons the air you breathe. Conversely, beeswax candles improve the quality of the air in a room when burned.
Are beeswax candles carcinogenic?
Firstly as they are all natural, there are no toxic byproducts created when burned. This is not true of all candles, in fact there are many candles that produce small amounts of carcinogenic chemicals which are dangerous for both the user and the environment.
Are beeswax candles safer than regular candles?
Beeswax also has the lowest toxicity for candle materials, releasing no toxic byproducts or heavy soot into the air. Instead of adding pollutants, beeswax candles neutralize them.
What are the healthiest candles?
Beeswax candles are the healthiest choice in candles. Made from the caps of bee honeycombs, beeswax candles burn clean, are very long-burning, and give off a pleasant natural fragrance as they burn. Beeswax candles are dripless when burned properly, and release negative ions which help clean the air in a room.
Are beeswax candles better than soy?
If you are looking for a scented candle, soy wax will produce a stronger, more consistent smell that will last the full burn time of the candle. Beeswax on the other hand is better suited as an unscented candle that allows for the natural oil scent to be released into the air.
What are the cleanest candles to burn?
Soy candles, beeswax candles, and vegetable-wax based candles that are 100% (not blended with paraffin) are your best options....Guidelines for Selecting a Clean CandleAre made from 100% beeswax, vegetable-based waxes, or soy.Feature wicks made from cotton.Have 100% essential oils for fragrance.
Which candles are not toxic?
Healthline's picks for nontoxic, clean-burning candlesGrow Fragrance Candles.Slow North Candles.Brooklyn Candle Studio Candle.Pure Plant Home Candles.Keap Candles.Heretic Candles.Fontana Candle Co.Terralite.More items...
What are the benefits of burning beeswax candles?
Beeswax is a natural, renewable resource. Beeswax candles emit a bright, healthful light within the same spectrum as the sun — plus negative ions that clean the air and invigorate the body. Beeswax burns longer, drips less, and smells wonderful, naturally.
What is the most environmentally friendly candle wax?
Beeswax and coconut wax are amongst the most sustainable waxes. They both burn clean and slowly, with beeswax famous for its incredibly bright flame. But with anything, ensuring you're buying from farms and makers who support ethical farming techniques is vital.
What percentage of beeswax is used in candles?
Be sure your candles say 100 percent beeswax on the label. Buy candles made from 100 percent vegetable-based waxes, which are also nontoxic. To reduce soot, no matter what kind of wicks are in your candles, trim wicks to 1/8 inch, and do not burn candles in a drafty area. Find safe candles from certified green businesses at GreenPages.org.
What is the problem with candles?
The biggest issue with candles are toxic wax and, in the case of older candles, toxic wicks. Look out for aromatherapy candles made of paraffin—a petroleum byproduct—which releases carcinogenic soot when burned.
What to do if a candle hasn't been burned?
If you have a candle that has not been burned yet, rub the tip of the wick of on a piece of paper. If it leaves a gray mark, like a pencil, the wick contains a lead core. If you’ve already purchased the candle, take it back to the store and tell the manager why you’re demanding a refund.
Can you give up paraffin candles?
There are no rules or bans in the works for paraffin candles and those scented with synthetic oils. In the meantime, you don’t have to give up candles altogether if you follow these guidelines.
Do candles have lead wicks?
Once upon a time, many scented candles on the market contained lead-core wicks. Fragrance oils soften the wax, so the manufacturers used lead to make the wicks stand firm. Fortunately, unless you have candles more than a decade old, they probably don’t have a lead-core wick, because those were banned in 2003.
Is a candle with a lead core wick dangerous?
A candle with a lead-core wick releases five times the amount of lead considered hazardous for children and exceeds EPA pollution standards for outdoor air, says the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Can paraffin wax damage your house?
Besides endangering your health and that of your family, soot from paraffin wax can cause significant damage to the inside of your house, plus your computers, electrical appliances, and ductwork.
What happens when you burn a candle?
Burning candles releases volatile organic compounds and particulate matter into the air. Particulate matter is a mixture of extremely small liquid droplets and particles that can enter your lungs. There’s concern that extended exposure to particulate matter can lead to heart and lung problems.
What are candles made of?
In today’s world, candles are used as decorations, in ceremonies, and to release relaxing fragrances. Most modern candles are made from paraffin wax, but they’re also commonly made of beeswax, soy wax, or palm wax.
Can scented candles cause cancer?
Burning scented candles can release volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde that may increase your cancer risk. Even though scented candles release these compounds, it isn’t clear if they impact your health. It’s also possible to have an allergic reaction to scented candles. Symptoms can include: sneezing.
Is burning candle wax harmful?
At this time, there’s no conclusive evidence that burning candle wax is damaging to your health.
Is soy candle cleaner than paraffin?
Soy candles produce less soot and toxic chemicals than candles made from paraffin. Even though the smoke is cleaner, it’s a good idea to minimize your intake of any type of smoke. The European Candle Association offers the following advice for handling candles: Don’t burn candles in a drafty area.
When did they stop using lead in candles?
Most candle manufacturers stopped using lead in their candles in the 1970s. Due to concerns that fumes could cause lead poisoning, especially in children, lead-containing candles were removed from the market.
When did the CPSC ban the use of lead in candles?
In 2003, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted to ban the sale and manufacture of candles with lead wicks. They also banned the import of lead-containing candles from other countries. Most candle manufacturers stopped using lead in their candles in the 1970s.
Why are paraffin candles toxic?
Paraffin wax a.k.a. Petroleum wax is derived from petroleum. The burning of paraffin wax candles emits toxic fumes into the air. According to a study done by South Carolina State University, the undesired chemicals of the paraffin candles were emitted because the candles are by-products of oil refineries. According to this study, frequent use of the paraffin candles they tested, "the inhalation of these dangerous pollutants drifting in the air could contribute to the development of health risks like cancer, common allergies, and even asthma?
Is beeswax candle vegan?
Obviously beeswax candles are not vegan, so these candles are not an option for everyone. If you want to make the most mindful choice when purchasing a beeswax candle, look to purchase these from a local beekeeper or a company that explains where their beeswax comes from. We want a conscious beekeeper to provide the beeswax, not corporations exploiting our poor bees to make a profit. There are so many wonderful beekeepers around the world today that hopefully, this won't be too difficult of an extra step.
Can you change the color of a candle?
As always, research the company or person making your candles. The method used for changing the color of your candle should be transparent.
Do candles smell good?
Although scented candles often smell great, it is very important to understand what is providing the scent. If it doesn't say where the scent is derived from, do not buy it. Look for candles that are scented with essential oils as these are plant-based. Synthetic scents in candles can be very dangerous and even cause asthma. In fact, here is a study that uses the NAQTS (National Air Quality Testing Services) to compare certain candles to breathing in the exhaust of diesel cars!
Do you have to include ingredients in a candle?
To our knowledge, there are no current regulations requiring makers to include all ingredients on a candle. So please be sure to do your homework, or carefully read the jar or tag that comes with your candle.
Why Are Beeswax Candles Good For You?
Beeswax candles are extra special because, more than just not polluting the air, they actually clean it!
Unscented vs. Scented Beeswax Candles
When shopping for beeswax candles, you’ll likely find that many don’t have any added fragrance in them. This is in part because beeswax naturally has a light, sweet smell to it when it burns (kind like honey!), which many people enjoy.
Non-Toxic Candle Guides, Galore!
If you’re interested in some related guides to non-toxic candles, we’ve got you covered:
Conclusion
Beeswax candles are perhaps the BEST alternative to conventional paraffin wax candles. Beeswax is not only non-toxic, but it actually cleans the air while it burns by neutralizing things like dust, mold spores, pollen, and more.
The Evolution of Candle Production
Most conventional candles in the market today are made from paraffin wax, a byproduct of the petroleum industry and which is made from crude oil that is refined into gasoline. It is less expensive to make than any other wax, and by the 1850s, it replaced animal fat wax as the standard ingredient in most candles.
Why Conventional Candles Are Toxic
When burned, paraffin releases soot that settles on household items, curtains, and walls. This soot is known to contain 11 toxins (nine-toxin exposure contributes to excess cancer risk), including naphthalene, methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, benzene, and even lead.
The Most Common Health Effects of Paraffin Candle Exposure
If you’re using candles properly in a well-ventilated space, they’re unlikely to have a significant impact on your health. However, as a natural health practitioner, I know that chemicals accumulate in our bodies over time and the accumulation (without detoxification) can cause significant health problems.
Are Candles Bad for Dogs, Cats and Other Pets?
Since paraffin candles are bad for our own well-being, they are absolutely worse for our pets (and children). Given that dogs, cats, and other pets have a heightened sense of smell, the soot, toxins, and artificial aromas found in conventional candles will irritate their nasal passages and cause mucosal irritation.
What Are the Best Eco-Friendly Candle Alternatives?
I am happy to report that there are two great alternatives to paraffin candles that are available in many health-food and indoor-product stores. These candles are made from either soy wax, beeswax, coconut wax and other plant wax, burn twice as long (or longer) and release very little soot and no toxins (or negligible) into the air.
Final Thoughts
There are many household products that we use daily that we would not necessarily suspect could be harmful to our health.
