Scented candles are increasingly popular due to pleasing fragrances which provide calming and soothing sensations. Unfortunately, a health issue is linked to these kinds of candles. They are commonly made of paraffin which may be toxic because it is derived from petroleum. When burned, petroleum releases potentially harmful chemicals such as toluene and benzene, carcinogenic substances that can trigger respiratory problems. For that reason, many shift to organic candles, which are safer and more environmentally friendly. Instead of buying eco-friendly candles, which are usually more expensive, we have tips on how to make organic candles at home from scrape.
You can make homemade organic candle recipes from natural ingredients, such as soy wax, beeswax, organic wicks, essential oils, and coconut oil. They are 100% non-toxic products that offer scented candles with better features than the common ones. In addition to adding natural candle recipes, we include natural candle-making techniques that ensure a zero-waste candle-making process, making it more environmentally friendly.
But before discussing how to make organic candles with 100% non-toxic products, let’s learn more about what chemicals in candles are harmful to our health!
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What Ingredients Are Bad In Candles?
With the increasing demand for eco-friendly candles, it may make you wonder, what’s wrong with ordinary candles in the market? Those candles mostly contain some chemicals potentially harmful to your overall health. While some people don’t bother with those toxic substances, others are concerned about the side effects of using candles for extended periods.
One of the most common chemicals present in candles is paraffin wax. Generally, candle manufacturers include paraffin wax because it is cost-friendly. Nonetheless, it can release benzene and toluene, carcinogens that, if inhaled, can cause respiratory issues. In addition, candles usually contain leads to make the wicks stand upright. This lead is harmful because it will discharge toxins into the hair, which are dangerous when inhaled.
Furthermore, you must be aware of synthetic fragrances that emit calming scents in commercial scented candles. Despite their pleasant aromas, these scents usually contain phthalates which can interfere with hormones and are often related to reproductive disorders.
In addition, artificial coloring and chemical additives, such as UV stabilizers, also lead to air pollution due to the release of toxic fumes. Therefore, consider eco-friendly candles with natural ingredients and organic candle fragrances to avoid the health risks of toxic candles.
How Do You Know If A Candle Is Toxic?
Apart from knowing some of the toxic materials we discussed above, you need to learn other indicators to determine which candles are toxic. The basic ingredients you must take into consideration are wax and additive types and scents. If you spot paraffin wax and UV stabilizers, consider shifting your candles to natural ones.
As we have briefly explained in the previous section, Paraffin wax is a petroleum-based chemical used to form wax. Unfortunately, paraffin wax is considered toxic because it releases carcinogens and respiratory irritants into the air. Meanwhile, the UV stabilizers produce poisonous fumes that trouble your respiratory tract when inhaled or inhaled.
Apart from the two ingredients above, watch out for synthetic fragrances that generally contain phthalates. Phthalates are chemicals that have the potential to disrupt hormones. Instead, look for organic candles with natural ingredients, free of toxic chemicals. In addition to candle-making materials, you can also check the candles by burning them.
Suppose your candles produce excessive smoke and black soot residue on the surrounding surfaces. In that case, those may be signs of toxic candles. You can also burn the candles indoors and see if the smoke bothers you. If you feel short of breath, coughing, or dizzy after inhaling the smoke, the candles may emit harmful volatile chemicals. Thus you should immediately discharge them.
Do Candles Expire?
Unlike food, cosmetics, or cleansing products, candles don’t have specific expiration dates. However, the longer you store the candles, their quality will degrade. Scent fading is one of the major signs of declining performance in your perfumed candles. It applies especially to those organic candles infused with essential oils. These oils are volatile. Thus, the candles will gradually release the fragrances over time.
Furthermore, you will also notice a color change that continues fading as you store them in bright areas. Generally, the light is capable of degrading the color, resulting in a lighter tone of the candles. While standard candles use artificial colorants that will last longer, this color fading commonly occurs in natural candles. However, this change will not affect their functions.
In addition to color shift, another difference you can see visually on long-stored candles is wax degradation. If your candles are made of soy or beeswax, the candles will show blooms, the white powdery substances as the results of a long storage period. You may also spot soot accumulation on the base surface because of repeated burning.
Organic Candles
Natural or organic candles refer to candles made from plant-based materials. They are free of harmful chemicals, such as petroleum-based paraffin, phthalates, and other toxic additives that pose heart risks. Moreover, some ingredients usually included in natural candle-making techniques are natural blends of candle waxes and organic essential oils.
Apart from being an option because of their ingredients, organic candles also prioritize environmentally-friendly candle production. Thus, those concerned about the environment will lean more toward organic candles than commercial ones. But what are the benefits of using these organic candles?
1. What Are The Advantages of Organic Candles?
If you are still unsure about replacing your commercial candles with organic ones, you need to listen to our discussion about the benefits of using these natural candles. As you already know, organic candles are made of plant-based, natural ingredients which are safer for health and the environment.
They do not release toxic chemicals, such as benzene, toluene, and phthalates, into the water, which can disrupt your health. Besides, they also generally implement sustainable candle-making methods with renewable sources to reduce negative environmental impacts. In addition, these vegan-friendly ingredients also ensure cleaner burn, which minimizes indoor air pollution. Thus, you can breathe freely without worrying about inhaling carcinogens which can cause coughing, headache, or nausea.
Furthermore, the organic ingredients used in the chemical-free candle-making process also result in a longer burning time. This is because soy and beeswax have a slow burning rate, resulting in a long-lasting candle you can save for later. It is, of course, a profitable cost-friendly option.
In addition, most natural candles are infused with essential oils, which are known for their therapeutic benefits. Once you light the candles up, they will emit lovely scents that offer relaxing and calming sensations. You can use them while bathing or simply spending time watching movies. Choosing organic candles also supports sustainable practices for starting a zero-waste, eco-friendly lifestyle.
2. How Do You Know If A Candle Is Organic?
To learn whether your candles are organic, you must first check on the labeling. Generally, organic candles in the market will feature clear labeling that describe the products that use organic materials.
In this case, make sure the candles contain natural-based waxes, such as organic soy or beeswax, with no chemical additives. Then, find the legal certifications from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Organic or other official certifications from other organizations. You can also check on certain logos that indicate the products are genuinely organic.
Moreover, you must check on the stated ingredients and find organic essential oils. Make sure they are derived from plant-based ingredients. These oils commonly emit pleasant scents longer than synthetic fragrances. The aromas are also milder and won’t make you feel overwhelmed by smelling the scents.
3. What Are The Healthiest Candle Ingredients?
As the name implies, the healthiest candle ingredients feature organic ingredients that are safe for health and the environment. They have no toxic components, which is a concern for commercial candles. Among all the natural candle-making materials, natural waxes are the keys to producing organic candles.
Instead of choosing petroleum-based paraffin at a lower cost, opting for soy wax, coconut wax or beeswax would be better. Those waxes have a slow burning time, eventually making the candles last longer. In addition, they burn cleaner and produce less soot and smoke than paraffin without releasing toxic chemicals. As a bonus, beeswax and coconut wax have a lovely, distinctive aroma according to the character of each ingredient.
To make the candles smell better, manufacturers usually add essential oils from various plants and herbs. Some of our favorite essential oils are lavender, citrus, vanilla, peppermint, rose, and cedarwood. These natural scents offer soothing smells that improve mood and serve as therapeutics.
They also feature natural dyes derived from plants, flowers, clays, and charcoal to provide attractive, vibrant colors for the candles. In addition, cotton or wood wicks are also preferable over lead-core wicks since they do not pose health risks when burned due to poisonous chemicals.
4. Types of Organic Candle Waxes
Using soy or beeswax is common for organic candle ingredients to produce good quality products that last longer. However, some other organic candle waxes exist in the chemical-free candle-making process. They are excellent for improving the burning rate, introducing a distinctive aroma, and allowing better craftsmanship in expensive candles due to their creamy texture. What are those?
- Soy wax. Like its name, it is made from soybean oil. It is one of the most common candle waxes added to the zero-waste candle-making process. This biodegradable ingredient burns clearer than paraffin wax, making it a sustainable option for producing organic candles. The advantage of soy wax is that it has a great fragrance throw, improving the scented candles’ long-lasting aroma.
- Beeswax. With soy wax, beeswax is also very popular in organic candle production. It has similar characteristics to soy wax which has a slow burning rate. Beeswax also produces smooth flames with clear smoke. And as a bonus, it features a honey-like scent due to its raw materials.
- Coconut wax. Besides soy wax and beeswax, coconut wax joins the club as one of the most well-known candle waxes for organic candle production. It is made of coconut flesh with a creamy texture, clean burn, and fantastic fragrance. Since it includes coconut meat, you can expect a light coconut smell when adding coconut wax to organic candles.
- Palm wax. Another candle wax worth trying is palm wax. And as you may guess, it comes from palm oil, one of the sustainable ingredients. The unique characteristics of palm wax are its crystalline feature and warm ambiance when the candle is burned. Nonetheless, you must ensure that the wax is made of palm oil which is made responsibly under specific certifications.
How Do You Make Organic Healthy Candles?
Now we have come to the section on how to make organic candles easily. The process is quite easy and includes organic materials and sustainable candle-making methods to ensure the candles are safe for our environment.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make organic candles from scraps you can try at home with no hassle.
- Prepare the tools and ingredients. You already know some of the natural ingredients recommended to add to the organic candle-making process. We suggest you prepare 80 g of organic waxes (soy wax, beeswax, or coconut wax), 10 g of natural wicks (cotton or wood), 5 ml of organic essential oils (e.g., lavender, vanilla, citrus), and 5 ml of natural dyes (optional). For the tools, include boilers or melting pots, spoons, molds, scales, and trimmers.
- Clean your workspace. You must also spread the tray or cover it to prevent drips and spills.
- On the scales, measure 80 g of the wax. Then, add it into a melting pot and set medium heat to melt the ingredients. This heat level helps the wax conserve its natural properties, such as volatile compounds.
- Once the wax has melted, you can remove the pot and let it cool to around 140°F to 160°F. Such temperatures are ideal for adding fragrances and natural colors to prevent degradation.
- Next, add 5 ml of organic essential oil to the melted wax and stir it carefully with a fork or spoon. You can add more oils if you like to have a stronger scent. Then, add 5 ml of natural dyes and stir until the color blends evenly.
- After that, place cotton or wood wicks in the candle mold. Make sure it fits the center of the mold. Remember to ensure the wicks are upright and straight to allow proper burning.
- If the wicks are in the correct position, carefully pour the melted scented wax into the mold. To prevent overflow when you burn the candles, leave space at the top. Once the candles cool down, cut around ¼ inch of the wicks to secure even burn.
- Lastly, label the candle with the production date and ingredients used in this process. Don’t forget to store them in a dry and cool area and away from direct sunlight to avoid color and smell fading.
Best Organic Candles
Just in case you don’t have spare time to make DIY organic candles, we have some recommendations for commercial natural candles made of organic ingredients you can buy. They feature excellent properties, including soothing scents, long-lasting burn, and ergonomic packaging. And, of course, they are eco-friendly options to shift from ordinary candles.
Let’s have a look!
1. Benevolence LA Bergamot Scented Candles
Benevolence LA Bergamot Scented Candles can be an excellent option if you are looking for organic scented candles with various packaging and aromas. It features a 35-hour burn that provides a rewarding experience to enjoy extended soothing sensations.
Not only that, but the price is also worth it. You can get a 6-oz aromatic candle for only $17.99! In addition, it highlights sophisticated packaging that looks luxurious, making it a perfect piece as a gift or feature in a bedroom as a sleeping company.
Why We Love It
The product has diverse scents and color options to choose based on your preference. Also, it is a cost-friendly option considering the slower burn–means you can keep it for longer,
What To Consider
Though the burning time is longer, the smell is not intense. So, you may want to have it in a smaller room to experience a calming sense.
2. EORISH Organic Candles with Crystals Inside
Organic scented candles don’t just offer relaxing fragrances. Some products, like this candle, also feature an exquisite design that invites customers to buy candles. EORISH Organic Candles add beautiful crystals inside the wax to make the appearance of the lilies look attractive.
In addition, these candles also claim to have a 50-hour burning time. Thus, offering you a longer scent throw of lavender. With these features, you can light it up to meditate or practice yoga. And what’s best is it only costs you $14.99 for an 8-oz candle!
Why We Love It
Having 8-oz size, it is an affordable option for those who are a first-timer in trying organic scented candles. Besides, the wooden wick allows slower burn, making it a perfect fit for sleeping, reading, or bathing company.
What To Consider
Despite having a wooden wick to ensure longer burning, it seems like the wick doesn’t burn well. You can light it up and let the candle melt to have a proper burn.
3. HHI Sweet Jasmine Candles
For those of you who like organic candles with a sweet scent, we managed to find a product that you might find exciting. Sweet Jasmine Candles by HHI feature high-end jasmine organic fragrances that offer soothing and awakening sensations once you burn the candle and smell the scents.
Apart from that, this product also has a unique feature, namely the bamboo lid packaging, making this candle appear seamless and minimalist. Not only that, it features a single wick to ensure proper and long-lasting burning. With the sleek design, you can make this aromatic candle an attractive gift for your loved one. Even cooler, the 8-oz organic scented candle costs only $16.95!
Why We Love It
We adore the effort to create a modern minimalist packaging design that makes this candle a one-of-a-kind product. In addition to jasmine scents, it is available in various fragrance options to match your preferences, including cedarwood, vanilla musk, and sicilian citrus.
What To Consider
If you wish to have strong scents, this product may not be the best fit. But for a milder one, it will be a perfect pick for you. Or, you can choose the three wicks option to allow faster burn and intense aroma release.
4. Crackling Wood Wick Candles
The atmosphere in the fireplace is very calming. Unfortunately, not everyone has a fireplace in their living space. But don’t worry. You can feel the atmosphere of crackling wood by having this scented candle by Hemlock Park.
Unlike most organic scented candles with floral and fruit aromas, this natural candle features herbaceous scents. It blends palo santo wood, cedar, rosewood, yuzu citrus, black peppercorn, foxtail fir, and tonka bean oils into one, creating an infusion of home feeling once you burn the candle. For an 8-oz candle, you will need to spend $24.95.
Why We Love It
We appreciate the fact that this candle infuses several essential oils with diverse earthy notes, setting it aside from its competitors. In addition, the packaging is top-notch, featuring a brown tone that looks sophisticated but rustic at the same time.
What To Consider
The candle is a bit expensive for 8-oz. And for those who love intense scents, this product may not satisfy them.
5. Naturix Scented Candles for Home
Nothing can beat botanical sensations when it comes to organic scented candles. If you are a fan of such notes, you better take a look at this Naturix Scented Candle. It will awaken and soothe your mind after a long work day just by lighting it up and making it a sleep company.
You can also enjoy the blend of lavender, basil, and jasmine essential oils emitted through the burn while soaking in your bath to relieve your stress. And thanks to the soy wax, you can have a 50-hour burning time with a long-lasting scent. In addition, this 8.3-oz candle only costs $17.97.
Why We Love It
It is a cheap option if you wish to have a large size organic scented candle with a longer burning time. We also love that it comes with a lid. So, you can store it dry and extend the shelf-life.
What To Consider
This product may be too big for those who don’t fancy scented candles but want to try one. But for such a price, it will be worth it.
Final Thoughts
How to make organic candles at home? First, you prepare all the materials and equipment before starting. Ensure you also consider safety aspects, such as providing ventilation in your workstation and not bringing organic candles to flammable materials. Also, check the ingredients before making one. Make sure they have organic logos from USDA or official related authorities.
Furthermore, when you have made the candles, don’t forget to add labels in the form of the date of manufacture. Even though organic candles don’t have expiration dates, it is crucial to know the date of manufacture to check if there are any changes to the features of the candles. All in all, organic scented candles help improve mood, relieve stress, and offer soothing sensations. Making a homemade one allows you to customize your preferred scents.
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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can candles be chemical free?
While there are many natural candles on the market with 100% organic, plant-based ingredients that claim to be chemically free, it is impossible for those non-toxic candles to rule out the chemicals in candle making. However, we can choose vegan candles as sustainable options whose ingredients use natural ingredients, such as essential oils as fragrances, coconut oil, and organic wax (beeswax or soy). You can also make homemade candles from those natural ingredients by implementing environmentally-friendly candle production.
Are homemade candles safe?
Homemade organic candle recipes have recently become popular because they offer fragrance personalization using essential oils. These DIY organic candles are also sustainable options for those concerned about chemicals. However, another question arises, are homemade candles safe?
Fortunately, those non-toxic candles are generally safe, considering the 100% organic materials used in natural candle-making techniques. However, you must follow proper melting and pouring practices. Also, use ventilation and trim wicks.
In addition, you must check and follow fire safety precautions while making candles at home. Never leave burning candles without attendance, and use sturdy holders for natural candles. Also, keep them away from flammable items to prevent burning accidents while making candles.
Why are plant based candles better?
Vegan candles or plant-based candles are made of 100% organic, plant-based ingredients, such as coconut oil, essential oils, beeswax, or soy, as their candle waxes. Compared to typical candles, they are biodegradable, safe options for the environment. These non-toxic candle ingredients also don’t release harmful chemicals when burned, unlike paraffin candles which may pose health risks.
Moreover, biodegradable types of organic candles also have a longer burning time due to the soy and beeswax features that have a slower burn rate. With this character, plant-based candles are more economical than paraffin candles. In addition, organic aromatherapy candles infused with essential oils are also great for those who expect a longer scent throw.
Why do expensive candles last longer?
You may often wonder why ordinary candles burn faster than expensive candles. This is simply due to the candles’ recipes and their formulations. Expensive aromatherapy candles generally use high-quality candle waxes, such as soy or beeswax, with a higher melting point. Thus, it makes the candle burn slower than the typical candle.
In addition, the wick materials also allow a steady flame that will burn efficiently to make the light bright longer. In addition, high-end, scented candles also have a higher perfume concentration. Combined with the best wax, the scents will emit for an extended time. Also, the craftsmanship, size, and designs affect the performance of the candles. The meticulous, more extensive, and precise designs will result in longer burning times.
How can you tell if a candle is good quality?
There are several indicators to find out whether your candle is high quality or not. The first thing you can do is check on the non-toxic candle ingredients. Suppose you notice the blend of natural waxes in the candle recipes, including soy or beeswax. In that case, your candle is a type of organic candle with excellent quality. Then, look for organic candle fragrances.
Usually, they are made of essential oils, such as lavender oils, citrus oils, and chamomile oils, which will emit long-lasting scents. In addition, high-quality scented candles will also burn evenly due to high-end wick materials located precisely in the center of the candle, resulting in a longer burning time. Lastly, make sure there are no or fewer additives that will risk the release of toxic chemicals.