Commercial candles are usually made of paraffin wax. Most of these candles would also contain small traces of lead in their wicks. As such, when they are burnt, these candles would emit carcinogenic chemicals like benzene and acetone which can be detrimental to human health. Lead wicks can also cause increased lead in the blood levels which in turn can prove fatal for the body with time.
Eco-friendly candles on the other hand, are free of these issues, and are widely available in the market, provided you know what to look out for. Here is a useful guide that would help you pick up quality eco-friendly candles in order to improve the quality of your indoor air.
Ingredients to look out for
How do you know a candle is 100% natural and eco-friendly? Simple, check for these ingredients.
Palm Oil Wax Candles:
The wax used to create these candles is taken from coconuts. These candles last longer than standard paraffin candles and burn cleaner as well.
Beeswax Candles:
These are extremely eco-friendly alternatives to standard paraffin candles and last longer than the latter as well. They are natural, fresh, fragrant, biodegradable and 100% non-allergenic. They also do not emit any toxic fumes or create any soot when burned.
Soy Candles:
These candles are made from soybean-based wax. They are biodegradable, renewable, vegan and soot free. They last longer than paraffin candles and can be molded into different shapes owing to their softness.
When buying an eco-friendly candle, you would also need to check for other ingredients that could be not so eco-friendly. Accordingly, stay away from candles that have synthetic fragrances, stearic acid or paraffin that is mixed with the natural ingredients.
Advantages of using Eco-Friendly Candles
Apart from doing the environment a big favor by using eco-friendly candles, you stand to benefit from these candles in more ways than one. For starters, the amount of lead and carcinogenic substances your family is exposed to is largely reduced by switching to eco-friendly candles.
Individuals who suffer from headaches and allergies on a frequent basis would also benefit from using eco-friendly candles as most of the paraffin based candles can aggravate these issues. An individual with a compromised immune system would also face several health related issues when burning paraffin-based wax candles. So switching to eco-friendly candles would be the best alternative.
