Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Using Non Toxic Candles

I have walked through many green changes in my families life but one of the hardest things for me to give up is one of my favorite things in my home..my candles! I had thought for so long that I needed to completely give up my candles and I had never even thought of using non toxic candles. Honestly I didn't even realize that there was such a thing.

First, it is very important that we understand the reasons why using the regular candles we have been using for decades without a second thought may not be the best decision for our homes. I have talked before about the dangers of air pollution. Not the smog you think of in a city..the air pollution in your own home. Homes can be much more toxic than many major cities with the use of toxic cleaners and chemicals in our homes we create a toxic brew that we reside in each day. Adding to that toxic brew can be the use of candles.

The standard candles that you purchase at any local store or even most candle specialty stores are usually made of paraffin wax. Paraffin wax is a by product of petroleum. Petroleum is not only a non-renewable recourse but is linked directly to poor indoor air pollution. The black smoke you see hovering over a candle of the mark it leaves on some walls is a petro-carbon soot. Paraffin candles release that soot into the air in your home. It circulates through your home and also gets into your air ducts.

Why is this soot so dangerous? According to the American Lung Association the soot released contains eleven documented toxins. Two of those toxins Tulaene and Benezene are known carcinogens.

Another problem with the standard candles is that most use lead core wicks. These wicks emit lead particles into the air in your home leading to further indoor air pollution from the same source (the candle). When lead is inhaled 100% of it is absorbed in your bloodstream. Children are particularly vulnerable to the side effects caused by chronic low level exposure that can be emitted through burning these candles. Here are some of the side effects to children:
  • Permanent neuro-psychological defects
  • Behavioral disorders
  • low IQ
  • Short attention span
  • Hyperactive behavior
  • Motor difficulties

So that's the bad news. The good news is I have done a lot of research and have found some great ways to use non toxic candles to improve the air quality in your home. The other good news is that using non toxic candles is no longer complicated with the internet available to most of us.

When shopping for candles here are some things you want to look for. All are very important to using non toxic candles the correct way and also not having the wool pulled over your eyes as to what is really non toxic and what is claimed to be "green" or "organic". Just because something says those words means NOTHING. You need to know your facts before purchasing them. If those steps aren't taken you mind as well be buying your candles the way you do now. Here are some important things to remember.

  • Soot Free
  • Lead Free
  • Using Renewable Resources
  • The correct type
  • Try to stick with companies or farmers that practice environmentally social responsible forms of agriculture.
  • There are many types look for beeswax, organic soy or vegetable wax candles.

Do not take these points and look for one make sure the vendor you are buying from meets all of these qualifications. I have found many vendors sell candles already in a jar which is fine. I have also found in that search thought that many not only sell these jar candles in recyclable glass but in recycled glass. Meaning this is glass that has already been recycled before and can be again. If you find yourself having to pick between the two go for the recycled glass. A company that would hand make their candles with already recycled glass is very likely to be environmentally conscious.

To help make the transition to using non toxic candles easier for you I have found some great sites and narrowed down a few of my favorite. These are based on price for products, how eco friendly the company and the product are and the variety of scents they provide. Here are some places to get you started.


Some tips for picking the best deal is do not just consider the size of the candle but also the burn time. Many may be different sizes but the burn time could be more of less depending on the material the candle is made of.

Hopefully this will be a helpful guide to you for using non toxic candles. This will be a huge change for myself. I had felt for so long that I needed to get candles out of my home to complete my home transformation, but after studying for this article I am finding that just might not be the case.
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