Burn Natural Beeswax

You know you shouldn't burn plastics, paint, or rubber. Do you know what is in your candles? Unfortunately, there's no requirement to have candle makers put their ingredients on their label. The biggest causes for concern in candles are unknown and harmful scents, lead wicks, and paraffin wax.

Scented candles release more soot, which can contain benzene toluene, neurotoxins that can cause headaches and drowsiness. Lead wicks can increase the amount of lead in the air, also exhibiting toxic effects. Luckly, no one's supposed to use lead core wicks anymore, but they may still slip through on cheap candles. The worry with paraffin wax, a petroleum byproduct, is that it released carcinogenic chemicals similar to diesel exhaust if it hasn't been well-purified. Cheap candles can also have a slew of other nasties that you release into the air by burning them. Since candle companies don't have to disclose their ingredients, we really have no idea what's going on in there.

As opposed to paraffin candles, beeswax help reduce the number of allergens in the air. Mix it with soy wax, and you get a longer burning candle!

How do you lower your risk?

• Choose beeswax or soy candles. 
• Keep dust out of your wax with lids or covers.
• Know what scents they're using, and choose candles with essential oils or extracts. 
• Keep your wicks trip to decrease soot (or use wood wicks!)
• Avoid cheap and dollar store candles. You're breathing it; get quality!
• Try wax melts or candle warmers, if you're worried about burning candles. 
• Meet your candle makers and ask them questions about your candles!

Thank you, Shelli and Josh with Daddyz Beezwax, for teaching me about candles!