Do you love the ambiance and glow of a candle but not the indoor pollutants that traditional candles produce? If so, this article is for you! I'm going to teach how easy it is to make your own non-toxic candles and swap out your favorite holiday aromas using essential oil diffuser blends that will not only smell amazing, but also support your health.
But first, let's chat about why I no longer use traditional candles in my home.
Scented candles are a huge source of indoor air pollutants and they put off chemicals that are considered just as dangerous as second-hand smoke! Paraffin is a common ingredient in most candles. Paraffin is a petroleum waste product that needs to be deodorized and chemically bleached before it can be made into wax.
Paraffin wax creates extremely toxic benzene and toluene when burned; benzene and toluene are known carcinogens. The toxins released from paraffin candles are the same as the toxins found in diesel fuel flames. Every time you light a paraffin wax candle you are doing the equivalent of burning diesel fuel flames in your house.
If that wasn’t frustrating enough, did you know that roughly 30 percent of candles sold in the US use wicks containing heavy metals that are released into the air as the wick burns down. Wicks in the US are supposed to be made from paper or cotton, but studies have shown that isn’t happening all the time. Wicks have even been shown to release five times the amount of lead considered hazardous for children.
These dangerous pollutants drifting in the air could contribute to the development of health risks like cancer, allergies and even asthma.
I get it, we all love going to Bath and Body Works to stock up on their candles to make our home smell fresh and cozy, but those artificial fragrances are wreaking havoc on your lungs and could even potentially lead to cardiovascular and endocrine disorders in the future.
When you heat up artificial fragrances, they then release VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). For reference VOCs are also found in paint and we all know that its best to wear a mask while painting and having access to fresh air. VOCs are ultrafine particles that linger in the air long after you’ve stopped burning the candle, and then you are your family are breathing those particles in.
Another frustrating thought is that candle companies don’t have to disclose all the chemicals used in their artificial fragrances. Fragrance on the ingredient list of candles is just a catch all term. The unidentified mixture contains constituents that are carcinogens, respiratory irritants, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxic chemicals, and environmental toxicants.
If you are still using conventional paraffin based scented candles in your home, let me give you some alternative options. You can make clean candles using Beeswax.
The buzz on beeswax candles:
Before candles were made with petroleum derived paraffin, they were made with beeswax. Beeswax candles are the cleanest, brightest, and longest burning candles. They also lend ambiance and warm natural light to your home. Pure beeswax candles are smokeless and do not contain chemical fragrances. In fact, beeswax candles have a subtle scent from the nectar and honey that was originally stored in the honeycomb.
Reasons to Choose Beeswax Candles
- Beeswax candles are naturally non-toxic.
- They are made from a renewable resource, making them a safe choice for the environment.
- They are biodegradable.
- These candles burn slower than paraffin-based candles and are dripless.
- Beeswax candles are hypoallergenic and can improve air quality.
- They burn clean with little to no smoke when trimmed properly.
How to Make Your Own Beeswax Candles at Home
Ingredients:
Directions:
- Coconut oil is optional but helps the beeswax candle burn more evenly. A good ratio is about 75% beeswax and 25% coconut oil. This doesn’t have to be an exact measurement. Just eyeball it.
- Use desired jar for your candle to measure your beeswax. Fill your candle jar to to the top with beeswax and then pour into a larger glass “melt jar” for melting your wax. Add coconut oil to the melt jar. Add melt jar to double boiler, pot of boiling water, or Instant Pot on sauté mode filled with a few inches of water like I use in the video.
- While the wax is melting, place wick in candle jar and secure with a dot of hot glue to the bottom of the jar if desired. Pro tip, lay 2 pens on the top of the jar opening to keep the wick from sliding around while pouring in the melted wax.
- Once the wax is melted, pour into your candle jar. Once the wax hardens again, trim the wick to 1/4 inch, light it and enjoy.
- These make beautiful, thoughtful gifts. Just tie a ribbon around the jar or add a bow to the top of the jar for presentation.
Essential Oils and Beeswax Candles
Yes, you can add essential oils to your beeswax candles for fragrance, however I don’t recommend this approach. Gasp! I know, I’m the essential oil lady, but you get more out of your essential oils when you diffuse them rather than adding them to candles.
Diffuser VS. Essential Oil Scented Candles
- You can experience the robust aroma of essential oils by only adding a few drops to a diffuser.
- You would need to use a much larger volume of essential oils to experience the same aroma from a candle.
- When diffused essential oils can offer benefits such as supporting a healthy immune system, open airways, calming properties, mood boosting, and many more.
- Beeswax candles have a melting point of 149 degrees Fahrenheit. This high temperature kills the therapeutic benefits of the essential oils, leaving you with only the fragrance.
While I think that you can create the same ambiance and aroma with a diffuser there are other reasons you may want to have some candles on hand:
- Power Outages – Beeswax candles burn longer than paraffin-based candles.
- Birthdays – Beeswax candles are dripless if the wick is trimmed properly, so you won’t have to worry about wax getting on your birthday treat. (Silicone Mold for birthday candles)
- Religious Customs
Replacing Candles in Your Home
Aroma Essentials Kit
The Aroma Essentials Kit was specifically designed to replace toxic scented candles and air freshener products. The beautiful glass diffuser that comes in the kit – the Laluz Diffuser – has a gorgeous ambiance with different color settings. The kit also includes 10 oils that will have your house smelling like whatever season you want it to – not to mention the health benefits that these oils provide. Read more about the health benefits of the oils in this kit,
Aroma Essentials Kit.
If you don’t already have a wholesale account, you can use this kit to sign up for a wholesale membership and your membership will be free for the first year. For the next 12 months you will be able to purchase any oils at a 25 percent discount.
Once you become a member, you do not have to make a purchase every month. However, when you do make a purchase, you will receive it at the best possible price. Of course, there are benefits to making a purchase every month, but you are by no means required to do so.
If you are already a wholesale member and you are on the Loyalty Rewards Program, make sure you purchase this kit using on your LRP order and you will receive 10-30 percent of the cost back in free product points. The shipping is also reimbursed at 100 percent in free product points. If you need help doing this, please reach out to me before placing your order and I can help you.
Diffuser Blends for the Winter Holidays
Options to Replace Other Petroleum Based Products
These make great gifts as well and will help you to use up any extra beeswax. I’m thinking, grab a cheap basket and add a candle, lip balm, miracle salve, and doTERRA’s holiday Snacking Chocolates – add some tissue paper or a bow and you’ve got a beautiful non-toxic present that anyone would love.
Making the switch from scented candles may seem scary, but it certainly doesn’t have to be, there are always alternatives, and the alternatives often offer better benefits and end up being cheaper. Enjoy making your own beeswax candles and creating diffuser recipes to suit any mood.
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