Back in the day, we didn't even think twice when buying our favorite scented candles or any fragranced products. But these days, things are different; we're all more aware of the potential dangers of harmful toxins and ingredients, especially when it comes to our candles. There are definitely some candles out there that you want to avoid.
Sadly, the candle industry doesn't always prioritize ethical or ingredient standards. But don't worry; there are plenty of clean-burning candles available that are made with safe and natural ingredients.
Today, we’ll fill you in on clean burning candles, why they're a great choice, and how to look for them. We also share the best clean burning candles for you to choose from. Are you ready to discover why they're the healthier and safer option? Let's get started.
What are Clean Burning Candles?
A clean burning candle is a candle made with natural and non-toxic materials, such as soy wax, beeswax, or coconut wax. These waxes do not release harmful chemicals into the air when you burn them.
Clean-burning candles also tend to have a longer burn time since they're made of dense natural material. They’re often scented with a blend of natural essential oils and phthalate-free fragrance oils. A truly clean candle also includes an all-natural wick.
When you burn this type of candle, you don’t have to worry about toxins filling the air you breathe –but not all candles are created equal.
Be Mindful of What You Burn
When you light a candle, the wax, fragrance oils, and wick components can evaporate into the air you breathe. While this may not be harmful if it's a clean burning candle, it's essential to understand the potential risks that come with burning candles.
Unfortunately, candle production is not regulated, so some manufacturers may use cheaper, less safe materials to produce their candles. One of these materials is paraffin wax, commonly used in mass candle production. Paraffin wax is a byproduct of petroleum. When you burn this wax, it can release harmful chemicals into the air, like toluene, benzene, and other known carcinogens. These chemicals can cause health problems with long-term exposure, including headaches, nausea, and respiratory issues.
On the contrary, clean burning candles are generally considered to be the safer and healthier option. These types of candles don't release harmful chemicals into the air when you burn them. They can actually purify the air by emitting negative ions, which is very cool! (Remember, that's pure soy wax, beeswax, or coconut wax.)
If you're a candle enthusiast, it's worth taking your time to research the ingredients of your favorite candles. This will help make the safer and healthier choice not only for you but for your home and the environment, too.
Why Choose Clean Burning Candles?
Choosing clean burning candles over regular candles is the better option for the following reasons.
🕯️ Health Benefits
Clean burning candles that are scented with pure essential oils are a great choice as they not only smell amazing but also promote a healthier lifestyle. This is because you're not breathing in harmful fragrances that can cause headaches, respiratory issues, or hormone disruptions.
🕯️ Psychological and Emotional Well-Being
Oh, lighting a candle is such a great way to relax and unwind after a long day! Choosing clean burning candles and incorporating them into your self-care routine is a great idea as it can induce positive emotions, and promote relaxation. Lighting a clean, burning candle can benefit your psychological and emotional well-being. So give clean burning candles a try; trust us, your senses will thank you!
🕯️ Better for the Environment
Clean burning candles are not just better for you but also better for the environment. It aligns with a greener lifestyle. So, light up your favorite candle and enjoy the relaxing and eco-friendly ambiance it brings!
🕯️ It’s Economical
Cheap paraffin candles burn fast and hot, which seriously cuts down on your burn time. When you burn a natural wax candle, you get way more burn for your buck!
How To Choose The Best Clean Burning Candles
Choosing a clean burning candle is not only important for your health but for the environment, too. Here are some tips on how to choose the best non-toxic candles.
#1 Check the Ingredients
When you're shopping for candles, look for candles that list their ingredients. Choose the 100% pure wax, like pure soy or beeswax. Avoid paraffin at all costs. Paraffin is not usually listed as an ingredient, but don't stress; you can easily identify it. It is nearly translucent vs. flat, opaque white.
When companies state that the candle is a “soy blend”, ask them what it is blended with. Because it may be mixed with paraffin.
At BerryLemon, we prioritize providing the best clean burning candles. Our candles are 100% pure soy wax made from soybeans grown in the United States.
#2 Opt For Natural Cotton Wicks
Some candles' wicks contain lead. Yup, Lead! Regardless of the 2003 lead wick ban, the EPA still found candle wicks containing lead in around 8% of the candles. How crazy is that? These lead wicks were 39% to 74% lead. And earlier in 1999, almost 40% of candles contained a lead-core wick.
The sad part is that it is still probably happening. You can ensure you're buying a clean burning candle by choosing an all-natural cotton wick and buying candles in small batches from the U.S. At BerryLemon, we handcraft all our candles and use an all-natural braided cotton wick with paper threads. This is for a reinforced wick and consistent burn.
#3 Read Reviews
It's always good to read reviews before buying candles as it will help you to make informed decisions and avoid any potential issues.
#4 Your Nose Knows
When it comes to choosing a candle, trust your nose. High-quality candles crafted with natural essential oils and clean fragrance oils will have a richer, more complex scent than box-standard fragrances. So, next time you're in a store, head to the candle section and compare the smells of natural candles versus the regular ones. Trust us, you'll definitely spot the difference!
#5 Transparency
Brands need to be upfront and transparent about what's in their candles so that you can make informed decisions. If a candle is a clean burning candle, it will state so. Companies that avoid terms like "vegan-free," paraben-free," and "phthalates-free" do so for a reason: because they aren't free of those things.
At BerryLemon, all of our candles are created with phthalate-fragrance oils.
Why Fragrance Oils At All?
Why not just go all-natural and burn essential oil candles only?
Well, fragrance oils are created to burn, but essential oils are not.
Essential oils are delicate plant oils that often dissipate or smell nothing like the original oil when lit. So, why not just add more? More is not better in candle making. You can also only pack in so much essential oil in a candle fragrance before it starts to become a fire hazard. So, while you might think essential oils are the best option – they might not give you the scent payoff you want.
(If you love essential oils, opt for diffusers! That will totally scent a room – note that those don’t heat oils just turn them into vapor that lingers in the air.)
Not all fragrance oils are safe though.
You want to stay with phthalate-fragrance oils.
Fragrance experts have said “In addition to their status as endocrine disruptors, phthalates are linked to increased risk of breast cancer, fertility issues, and other health problems. The research into the health risks of exposure to phthalates is ongoing, but it’s clear to us that if we can remove these risks from the equation entirely, we should.”
Our Favorite Clean Burning Candles
At BerryLemon, we're all about keeping our homes and the environment safe. That's why we made our Non-Toxic Candle Collection with the cleanest burning candles possible. We use 100% pure soy wax from soybeans grown right here in the USA. They burn cleanly and slowly, so you can enjoy the most out of your candle.
Our clean burning candle collection is always vegan, cruelty-free, phthalate-free, paraben-free, and paraffin-free. Let's have a look at our favorite clean burning candles.
🕯️ Lavandula - Soy Candle
This candle is like a breath of fresh air! It's the perfect mix of fragrant lavender blooms and earthy, grounded scents like cedar, rosemary, sage, and camphor. And as you let it burn, you'll be delighted by the lingering scents of cedarwood, sandalwood, and garden sage.
We've even added all-natural lavender, cedarwood, and clove essential oils to make it extra special. So, take a moment to unwind with our Lavandula soy candle. You deserve it!
🕯️ Sugared Lemon Zest - Soy Candle
This scent is inviting and mouth-watering. It is a blend of lemon, lime, bergamot, and orange peels that will awaken your senses and refresh you. The citrus perfectly complements the creamy, rich aroma of brown sugar and caramelized browned butter.
It is the perfect balance of freshness and gourmandism that's perfect for anyone who loves the aroma of home baking or citrusses.
So why not add a touch of coziness and sweetness to your home with our sugared lemon zest soy candle? It will create a warm and inviting ambiance that you will love and enjoy.
🕯️ Garden Party - Soy Candle
Do you want your home to smell like the refreshing scents of a summer garden? Well, the Garden Party candle will be perfect for you! This is a complex floral scent that features gardenia and jasmine. To balance the floral notes, an earthy depth of white oakwood and softened patchouli are added with a hint of roasted vanilla.
So light our Garden Party candle and fill your home with the sweet, refreshing scent of a blooming garden. Whether you're entertaining guests or just chilling at home, it's the perfect addition to any room.
Final Conclusion on Clean Burning Candles
Clean-burning candles are totally awesome! They're a great option to avoid harmful chemicals and breathe cleaner air. They can also be helpful if you suffer from allergies or respiratory issues.
The best part is that many clean-burning candles are made from eco-friendly and renewable materials, so you can enjoy the cozy ambiance guilt-free. If you're looking for a safer and more sustainable way to light up your space, definitely give clean burning candles a try!
At BerryLemon, we have an entire collection of clean burning candles for you to enjoy, from floral to earthy and sweet. You're sure to find one that your nostrils will fall in love with.
