Can Candles Really Be Toxic? A Helpful Guide to Clean Candles

Clean Candles 101

Now that we’re starting to recognize what kinds of ingredients we DON’T want in our candles, let’s talk a bit about what we DO want. Here are four questions you can ask yourself when candle shopping to help you feel confident you’re making a healthy – and sustainable – choice.

What is the fragrance source?

Fragrance is probably one of the hottest topics when it comes to candles. (Pun intended!) Fragrance can often be the biggest culprit when it comes to releasing chemicals into your home, chemicals you then breathe in. That being said, not all “artificial” fragrances are bad and not all “natural” fragrances are good. 

What’s most important is that you know what type of fragrance is in a candle and that you’re aware of how you personally  react to it. If a candle doesn’t list its fragrance source – that’s always a no for me. And while I prefer 100% natural fragrance such as essential oils, there isn’t anything inherently wrong with a synthetic fragrance as long as it’s certified non-toxic. Also, I know some people actually can’t use essential oils because of allergies, so if there are certain essential oils you’re sensitive to, avoid them or choose an unscented clean candle instead.

What type of wax is it made from?

Just as with candle fragrance, candle wax is a much debated topic. Many candles are made from paraffin wax, which is petroleum derived. And while the jury is still out on whether burning a paraffin-based candle is unhealthy, we do know that the world needs to move away from its petroleum dependencies and thus a natural wax is an all-around better choice in my mind.

A few popular naturally-derived wax types are coconut, soy and beeswax. That being said, because there are few regulations in the realm of candles, a candle can be labelled as “coconut-based” or “beeswax” even if it only contains a fraction of those ingredients and is largely – you guessed it – petroleum-based. This is why it’s so important to buy candles from brands that are 100% transparent when it comes to their product ingredients.

What is the wick made from?

And the third material in the trio of candle components is the wick itself. I mean, it’s the part you’re lighting after all. Yet, people tend to focus more on fragrance and wax type, without realizing that candle wicks used to be made from lead. Yup, lead! Thankfully, lead wicks were banned in the US in 2003, but once again – not all candle manufacturers are clear about what their wicks are made of.

One popular candle wick material is polyester, which is another petroleum-based material. Thankfully, another common wick material is 100% cotton, a better choice than polyester, but you can also find wicks made from hemp, wood and even paper.

What do I know about the company that made it?

This question is one I ask about all companies I buy from – not just candles, but everything. Does it take a little extra time to do some research about a brand before buying one of their products? Yes, a bit. But I always feel that if I’m giving them my hard earned money – they should deserve it by being better than the majority of other brands out there. By better I mean more sustainable, more ethical and more transparent. 

Truly sustainable brands are not shy about telling you why they’re sustainable. If you’re trying to find info about a candle brand and their site has absolutely no info about ingredients or packaging, or uses very generic greenwashing terms that aren’t backed up… well then just back up right off their website and find a better option.