When you need to relax and unwind after a hard day at work, there's nothing quite like the cozy glow and fabulous scent of a candle. The flickers of light, the warm and comforting glow, and the wondrous aromas are the perfect mind cleanser.
If you’re used to using candles to help you relax or simply to add atmosphere to your home, have you thought about what it is you’re burning? Traditionally, candles have been made from paraffin wax but nowadays there are so many more natural alternatives. Let’s take a look at the benefits of using natural candles.
Why should you be using natural candles instead of traditional candles?
With a natural candle, you don’t run the risk of exposing yourself to chemicals that are potentially harmful. Traditionally, candles have been made with base ingredients that actually release toxins when they’re burnt. Do you really want to increase toxin levels in your home? But, what are the problem ingredients and toxins of traditional candles?
Paraffin wax
Candles containing paraffin are actually made from petroleum. That’s right – the same substance that gasoline is derived! Petroleum is a fossil fuel; it’s a non-renewable source and it contains carcinogens (cancer-causing substances). When you burn a paraffin-based candle, you release these substances into the air.
Natural candles use organic waxes like coconut wax or soy wax. These waxes don’t release any toxins when burnt so you aren’t exposing yourself to any nasty substances.
Natural candles last longer
Natural wax has a lower melting point than paraffin wax. This means that your candle will last longer; it won't burn as quickly. With a natural candle, you get the benefit of having no nasty substances as well as being able to enjoy your candle for longer. Typically, a natural candle will burn for 70 to 80 hours.
Natural candles and their lower melting point are also a good choice because it means that your risk of being burnt by melted wax is less too.
Less soot produced with natural candles
As you might expect, because a natural candle is made from natural ingredients, it will burn cleaner. This means you won’t see black soot appearing on surfaces or gathering on the candle.
Natural candles and their wax are biodegradable
As well as being safer to burn, natural candles also have the benefit of being biodegradable. This means that you are helping the planet but also giving yourself an easier time when it comes to cleaning wax spills or reusing candle containers.
Let’s take a look at soy wax. As you can probably guess, soy wax is made from soybeans. It is a hydrogenated vegetable oil that is solid when at room temperature. There are no artificial ingredients in soy wax, which makes it an excellent alternative to paraffin wax candles.
Natural scents with natural candles
Natural candle manufacturers give you an all-round natural experience including their scents. There are so many wonderful scents available from musk, cedarwood, red currant, jasmine, grapefruit, and orange to name a few.
Final thoughts
As many people are finding, the 21st century is bringing around a lot of changes to having a more environmentally-friendly, natural lifestyle. Natural candlestick both of these boxes! Having a natural candle in your home will certainly change things and you'll never go back to paraffin once you've tried one!