Why the types of candles you buy matters for your health
Candles are nice things to have but certain candles have toxins that are not healthy. I want people to know that that candle in the store may smell nice and might be enticing to buy or give as a gift, but don’t. Buy the natural, cruelty free, nontoxic, clean candle which is available at some big stores and some local boutiques. Is there really that big of a differences on the candles? Yes, a lot of the typical big brand popular candles are bad for your health. How so you may ask? Well, by lighting that candle you are exposing chemicals to the air of your surroundings. The studies do show that certain types of candles do release chemical toxins; there are no exact reactions health wise to the candle bought.
Ingredients / what to know:
We all have preferences for certain fragrances and scents- consider all the different perfumes or colognes. But do people really know what those fragrances do to the environment around them? What people need to do is check the ingredients of the candles they like. You would be surprised that many of the high end candles are made with harmful ingredients.
Wicks - Candle wicks are made up of fibers, like cotton, paper, wood, tin or zinc metal core which may expose poisoning chemicals. Candle wicks have removed lead due to a health hazard from candle wicks. However, that doesn’t mean that other dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein have been eliminated too. The best ones to choose are the untreated cotton core fiber and paper wicks.
Wax - Paraffin,petroleum, benzene, and toluene release different chemicals. Beeswax, soy, or coconut oil based candles are more clean. Make sure that the candle is not mixed but is 100% natural and clean with clean ingredients.
Fragrance - Yes, fragrance is also bad for candles. The fragrance may contain toxic ingredients, or endocrine disruptors like phthalates. It is best to get candles that don’t have fragrance chemical oils, but have more natural essential oils. Fragrance candles can be irritating to allergies or people who are sensitive to fragrances. We tend to choose candles we like, but is that best for the people around us? The type of candles can also be very irritating to animals, causing frequent trips to the veterinarian. Make sure you pick a natural candle- one that is fragrance free or uses natural essential oils for you,your guests, and your pets to enjoy.
Safety - Make sure to light the candle in an area that is uncluttered and make sure the candle is in a container. Never leave a burning candle alone.
Purchase- You can buy the best safe candles anywhere, but they are most easily found online on websites such as etsy or amazon. Local stores and boutiques also may carry these candles.
