To keep the air clean when burning candles, it’s best to use 100% beeswax or soy wax candles with 100% cotton wicks and high quality essential oils. While it’s not always easy to find 100% clean candles, it is easy to make them yourself. Candles that are scented with essential oils, made with 100% natural wax, and have unbleached cotton wicks are some things that can identify non-toxic candles.
Qualities of Healthy Candles
Beeswax is the oldest and one of the cleanest candle materials. Beeswax is natural, free of toxins, provides slow burn, and acts as a natural air purifier. Soy candles produce less soot and toxic chemicals than paraffin candles. To minimize smoke intake, even with cleaner soy candle smoke is advisable since burning candles releases volatile organic compounds and particulate matter can enter lungs.
The type of wax affects how a candle burns. Soy wax burns cleaner than other waxes. Wick size and shape also affect burning. A small wick causes uneven burning, while a large wick makes the candle burn too quickly. Temperature affects burning too; a candle burns cleaner in a warm versus cold room. Therefore, no definitive "cleanest candle" exists, however, some candles burn cleaner than others.
Beeswax and soy wax candles offer a cleaner, healthier burn compared to paraffin. Beeswax is sustainable as it is a byproduct of honey production. These waxes are comparable to choosing between hybrid and gas-guzzling vehicles in terms of cleanliness and sustainability.
Identifying and Understanding Candle Toxins
To assess candle cleanliness, look for excess smoke or soot marks on walls. An inexpensive candle that induces headaches likely contains paraffin wax, not a clean burning wax.
What candles are toxic? The petro-soot from paraffin candles, similar to diesel fumes, can be as dangerous as second-hand smoke.
The Healthiest Candle Wax for Breathing
Coconut wax is considered one of the healthiest candle waxes due to its low soot production. Soy wax is non-toxic and deemed better for health and the environment. Blended candles often contain cheaper paraffin wax, which can release soot and chemicals, aggravating allergies. In contrast, beeswax candle smoke releases negative ions that neutralize positively charged allergens and pollutants.
The healthiest candles to breathe are those made from 100% soy wax or beeswax, free from harmful blends with paraffin. Paraffin wax candles produce smoke that can cause lung inflammation, arteriosclerosis, and DNA damage. Beeswax candles are the safest option, emitting low toxins and generating negative ions that cleanse indoor air. Their renewable, sustainable nature and longer burn times make beeswax candles the superior choice for health and indoor air quality.