It’s that time of year where we all want to curl up in a warm cozy blanket, grab a book and light our favorite fall scented candle. There is nothing better than a warm, sweet and spicy smelling home for fall. I love lighting candles for their ambience and scent, but I prefer to leave the toxins out of my air. There are so many options when it comes to natural and non-toxic candles. I wanted to share a little bit about why I opt for natural and non toxic fall candles and my favorite options.
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First off, let’s start with why we may want to avoid certain candle brands. There is a lot of evidence to show the health hazards involved with conventional candles being lit in the home. They are often made of poor quality or toxic waxes and resins, synthetic fragrances, and contain many hidden contaminants not listed on ingredient labels.
As a teenager and in my early twenties I burned Bath & Body Works candles in my apartment constantly. I never put together the connection between these conventional candles being burned and the constant headaches I experienced. Now that I haven’t used conventional candles in my home for over 15 years, I can say without a doubt that a major contributing factor of my headaches was likely from the constant burning of toxic candles. It can be difficult to pin point the cause of health concerns, but I know that anytime I enter a home with conventional candles burning, my head starts to spin and a headache will likely form within hours of exposure. For that reason alone, I choose to use better options which I will share below. But there are other factors to consider, starting with the contaminants that are released into the air of your home when burning conventional candles in the home. But, just HOW toxic is it to burn conventional candles in the home?
Just HOW Toxic are Conventional Candles?
A study looked into what human activities created the highest level of indoor particulate matter and air contamination. Conventional candles rated the highest for producing toxic emissions compared to:
- cigarette side stream smoke
- vacuum cleaners
- air freshening spray
- flat ironing a cotton sheet
- electric radiators
- electric stoves/gas stoves
- frying meat in seed oils
You may think that these candles are only an issue when lit but there is evidence to show the contrary. Conventional Candles emit toxic emissions both before lighting and when lit. They certainly create a higher level of toxicity with a flame present but it goes to show that some of these candles are made with such poor quality ingredients that they continue to contaminate the air space after they are blown out as well.
“Before lighting, various esters (n=30) showed the most dominant emissions. When lit, formaldehyde was found to have the highest emission concentration.” (Ahn, Et. Al, 2015)
Air Quality Contamination from Candle Burning
Conventional candles are not the best option for burning within a home. While they may smell incredible, they can cause serious hazards. Burning conventional candles will lower the air quality within the home and fill the air with toxic chemicals. It is no surprise that this could lead to health impacts as air quality is incredible important to overall wellbeing. You can read more about how I ensure the best air quality in our home HERE. Another way I ensure we have healthy air is by only using natural candles. By using natural candles, you can eliminate many of the hazards associated with burning them.
Here are a few ways conventional candles can cause issues in your home:
- Air Quality is Contaminated by Smoke & Particulate Matter: Burning conventional candles creates smoke which releases particulate matter into the air. This is hazardous and lowers the quality of air in your home. The hazard level varies between candles but those made with low quality waxes, lead containing wicks and synthetic fragrances wreak havoc as they release dangerous particulate matter at a much higher rate.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) released into the Air: VOC’s are a hazardous group of chemicals such as formaldehyde or acetyldehyde. Synthetically scented candles have been known to produce these VOC’s into the air in amounts that are far beyond the registered “safety limit”.
- Lead Released into the Air: This is arguably one of the most dangerous hazards associated with burning conventional candles. Lead is known to be incredibly toxic to humans in high levels. While some companies have started opting out of lead containing wicks, many conventional candle brands who continue to manufacture lead containing wicks.
- High Soot Levels Released into the Air: Burning candles can release soot into the air which you then breathe into your lungs. It releases various materials into the air depending on what they are made of. Paraffin or Petroleum based candles release high levels of VOC’s and carcinogenic material. They also produce high amounts of soot. While candles made of soy, coconut and beeswax produce much less soot, rendering them a much safer option.
Formaldehyde Release from Conventional Candles
One of the most shocking hazards that I stumbled upon during my research was the release of toxic formaldehyde from burning conventional candles. Formaldehyde is a toxic colorless gas that is used in many products and industries. Formaldehyde has been categorized as a human carcinogen. It’s presence among products for human use is questionable, however, burning it into the air creates an even higher level of concern. Because of the aspect of heat, candles emit a much higher exposure than other products on the market. According to a study by Szulejko, Et. Al (2016), Formaldehyde released by scented candles is beyond the recommended exposure limit.
“If two scented candles with a formaldehyde emission rate of 310 ug h(-1) each were lit for 4h in a small 20m(3) room with an air change rate of 0.5h(-1), then the 4-h (candle lit) and 8-h (up to 8 h after candle lighting) TWA [FA] were determined to be 28.5 and 23.5ppb, respectively. This is clearly above the 8-h NIOSH recommended exposure limit” (Szulejko Et. Al, 2016).
Health Impacts of Conventional Candles
The above hazards can have an alarming effect on our health, particularly because we are breathing these contaminants and inviting them directly inside of our bodies each time we light a conventional candle in our home. There is no doubt that there are health effects. While they may impact individuals differently, here are some of the most prominent health concerns related to burning conventional candles in your home:
- overall irritation
- allergic reactions
- damage to the liver or kidneys
- damage to the central nervous system
- production of carcinogens which could lead to cancer
- impacts the lungs
- endocrine disruption (hormones)
- headaches/migraines
- respiratory difficulty especially in those with lung conditions (ie. asthma)
My Favorite Non Toxic and Natural Fall Candles: Natura Soy
When I began to get serious about eliminating toxic products, one of my focuses was to find an alternative to burning conventional candles. Naturasoy natural and non toxic fall candles have been my favorite alternative for years. Not only do they smell, but they can impact your wellness in a positive way. There are so many incredibly scent profiles that go beyond just the classic fall scents, but I am most partial to burning those warm and cozy fall candles this time of year so I wanted to highlight some of my favorites.
Naturasoy has a wide range of different candle sizes and price points. They even create wax melts for those who have warming plates but want a non toxic alternative. I have used these candles for over 5 years now and I am always excited to stock up on more when autmn comes around. One really amazing addition to their website is the refill candles for their tumbler jars. These are beautiful glass jar candles (my favorite size) and once you have burned to the bottom of your jar, you can purchase the refill. This is a great option instead of buying an entirely new candle and tossing a perfectly useful jar. Naturasoy has expanded their line to include room sprays of their candle scents and even some personal care items such as shower steamers and laundry products. I haven’t personally used the laundry detergent so I can’t speak to that (if you want to read about my favorite non toxic laundry detergent, you can HERE). Sharing these options so you can peruse their website but for the purpose of this post I’ll stick to the candles.
All of Natura Soy’s candles are 100% natural and plants based, using pure essential oil blends. The result is some of the most incredibly subtle, pleasant, and soul-tickling aromas on the market today. They use only the best waxes such as soy wax and coconut waxes. This eliminates the possibility of burning harmful VOC’s or chemicals into the ait. They also use clean burning natural cotton wicks which will not contain lead like other conventional wicks do.
Now onto the best part, they smell amazing! They have 11 Best selling scents that are available year round. However, my very favorite part of Natura soy are their seasonal scents that they launch each fall. They are exactly what you would expect: sweet, warm, spicy, and cozy blends. They only release these scents around the fall so this is the time of year that I like to stock up. Fall scents are my favorite to grab when available. Here are the scents and their descriptions available in their shop:
Natura Soy’s Best Selling Scents (Available Year Round)
- London fog: Like a cozy cup of this popular drink, Smooth Earl Grey notes from oils of Bergamot blend together with sweet vanilla.
- Lavender + Wild Sage: Sweet Lavender blends with smooth Patchouli, middles notes of dry sage and a subtle vanilla base note.
- White Sage Berry: Fresh herbaceous notes of Sage and Rosemary entwine sunny citrus fruits and create a beautiful fragrance to unwind and relax to.
- Paperwhite + Clover: Crisp green apple and tart lemon blends with an array of lavender, jasmine and heliotrope. All balanced with a wooded, musky base of oakmoss and Sandalwood.
- Sandalwood Acacia: A composition of sultry sandalwood, oud, and acacia, ever so softened by warmed vanilla and tonka.
- Coconut Lime: Transport yourself to the tropics! A divine mix of fresh Lemongrass, Makrut Lime and blended with pure Coconut oil together with top notes of Lily.
- Satsuma Sugar: Sugared citrus notes of grapefruit, mandarin and orange combined with sweet vanilla.
- Eucalyptus Mint: A refreshing cool blend of pure Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Peppermint and Cypress oils.
- Raspberry Grapefruit: Sunny orange and pink grapefruit layered over violet and luscious, ripe raspberry, anchored by vanilla sugar and aromatic cedarwood.
- Rosemary Lemon: Energizing lemon notes uplift your mood, while the earthy rosemary grounds your spirit, and soothing vanilla embraces you with warmth, creating harmonious and tranquil atmosphere. Let this delightful blend of fragrance transport you to a fragrant herb garden.
Natura Soy’s Fall Seasonal Candle Scents
- Pumpkin Ginger: a gentle blend of ginger root, cinnamon, and clove, softened by hints of lime and orange. With a smooth finish of tonka bean and vanilla, this subtle scent brings a quiet warmth to your space, evoking the essence of autumn.
- Bohemian Woods: The smell of an enchanting walk in the woods is created with rich notes of sandalwood, milky laka bark, whisps of cedarwood, fir needles and fern on a fragrant base of earthy patchouli and tobacco leaf.
- Spiced Plum: Juicy peach flesh, blood orange, lemon myrtle and sticky raspberry jam blend with star anise, crushed cloves and nutmeg on a base of musk and faint vanilla for an homage to the changing of seasons.
- Harvest Gold: A vibrant blend of eucalyptus and lemongrass, brightened by tangerine and orange, and grounded with soothing notes of lavender, rosemary, and warm cassia. This invigorating scent brings a refreshing energy to your space, evoking the crisp, golden days of autumn.
- Smoked Vanilla Oak: Nutmeg, ginger and vanilla bean are rounded out with gentle notes of incense and smoked moss that cling to fragrant fir needles and alpine woods for the ultimate cabin escape.
- Honey Apple Cider: Bright citrus notes of orange and lemon blossom with a heart of warm spices like ginger and clove, softened by the sweetness of jasmine and peach. The scent finishes with a comforting, earthy base of patchouli, cedarwood, and creamy vanilla, enveloping your space in a cozy, inviting warmth.
Shop My Favorite Natural and Non Toxic Candles
These candles offer the most beautiful scents made with the safest waxes, wicks and natural essential oil blended scents. I spent many years looking for natural candles that didn’t just smell like plain lavender or other simple oils. These candles are blended with the most luxurious natural oils and I love them more than the conventional candles I used to burn when I was younger. They are sophisticated and create a warm ambience in the home without the potential health hazards.
My personal favorite scents are: Coconut Lime, Satsuma Sugar, London Fog and Raspberry Grapefruit from the best selling scents. From the fall seasonal scents, I always buy at least one of each. I love them all and they each reflect that warm, spicy, sweet, cozy scent of fall that we all wait for each year.
Electronic Lighter
Wick Trimmer
Candle Snuffer
Natural Massage Candles
Wax Aroma Melts
Soy Candle Refills
Tealight Candle Pack
Votive Candle Pack
Calypso Jar
Tumbler Jar
Marketplace Soy Wax Candle
Sources:
Ahn, J.H., Kim, K., Y. H., & Kim B.W. (2015). Characterization of hazardous and odorous volatiles emitted from scented candles before lighting and when lit. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 286, 242-251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.12.040
Szulejko, J. E., & Kim, K. H. (2016) A practical approach to estimate emission rates of indoor air pollutants due to the use of personal combustible products based on small-chamber studies. Chemospher, 144, 1451-1458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.10.005
Afshari, A., Matson, U., & Ekberg, L. E. (2005). Characterization of indoor sources of fine and ultrafine particles: a study conducted in a full-scale chamber. Indoor air, 15(2), 141–150. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.
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