And I’m back after what has been a fraught week dealing with some mind-boggling technical issues with the blog. Thankfully all has been resolved and the I.E. family has finally come out of hiding! To help get over the stress of it all, I thought we’d go all calm and tranquil in the home today by talking about candles.
Non-Toxic Candles – The Natural Choice For Your Homes
Candles happen to play a massive part of my every day-to-day and apart from the occasional downing of gin (of which there was a lot recently), candles are one of the ways I like to unwind. There’s nothing as enchanting or as inviting walking into a candlelit room. l find their warm ambient glow comforting and reassuring as well as the wonderful perfume that fills the air around you.
In recent years, however, I’ve been more mindful of my candle buying and have sought to look for healthier more environmentally friendly options. I thought I’d share why you might want to too. I’m also sharing with you some independent candlemakers you may not have heard of before that are all about the natural.
Candles are a real treat for the senses not only for you but for any visitors you may have too. Brilliant at masking unwanted smells around the home from wet dogs or last nights curry, they also provide you with warm ambient lighting for cosy winter evenings in front of the fire. Although, I freely admit to indulging myself whether it’s day or night and burn them all year round.
The UK happens to be one of the biggest lovers and buyers of candles in Europe so I know I’m not alone with my love of them. They are definitely one of lifes little luxuries that provide us with the feel-good factor on so many levels.
Of course, there are umpteen luxury branded candles to tempt us as well as cheap buys, but today I’m looking at ones that help not only our environment but are also a healthier option for us and our homes.
Why Consider Natural Candles
With the majority of candles sold in the UK being cheap imports, you might be surprised to know that these predominately contain paraffin wax (a by-product from petroleum industry). Add some artificial scents and dyes into the mix and studies have shown that you’ll be releasing harmful chemicals (VOCs) into the air.
When burned, paraffin wax (made from petroleum waste) creates toxic benzene and toluene chemicals, both of which are known carcinogens.
So if you or a family member suffer from asthma or allergies or find yourself with a headache after burning a candle you may just want to look at little more closely at the alternative naturally made candle.
The Alternative Natural Candle
So what to look for? Soy wax happens to be cleaner than other waxes. It has a longer burn time as well as additional health benefits as it’s free from harmful toxins and chemicals.
Choosing soy candles over paraffin wax alternatives also ensures that you are helping to support the environment. Soy happens to a healthy renewable resource. It is continually producible without damaging the ecosystem in which it is grown. It’s also completely biodegradable.
You may also want to look for a natural scent rather than the ubiquitous pumpkin pie fragrance. You’ll be free from any nasties that may be lurking when burning your candles. Aromatherapy candles containing essential natural oils are the perfect way to help with relaxation, anxiety, stress relief and for sleep preparation and they’re natural.
Also look for candles with natural wicks that help prevent soot. Many cheaper candles use a cored wick, in which cotton is wrapped around a metal or paper core for support. Research by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has shown that these types of candles release the dirtiest soot — sometimes containing particles of zinc, tin, lead and the metal cadmium.
Support Independent
I strongly believe in supporting independent small businesses and I’ve rounded up 5 candle makers who fit the bill. What I love about these types of companies is that they offer you a personalised and better customer service than the big guys. Smaller businesses tend to be more personable and offer a better shopping experience and you’ll be supporting your local economy too. So wherever you are it’s always good to try and shop independently. You often find they offer you more unique products that are way better than the mass-produced alternatives.
Corrine Taylor
First up is Corinne Taylor who happens to know her stuff when it comes to natural products and their benefits as she’s not only an aromatherapist but is also holistic therapist too. Corinne produces a whole range of natural organic products including her soy candles. The foundations of her company are based on her love of nature and organic and sustainable lifestyle.
Only handpicked ingredients are used to create her products all of which are ethically sourced and eco-friendly. Handmade in their Ovingdean workshop just around the corner from where my mum lives in Wick. All of which are organic, handcrafted and vegan-friendly.
Along with her partner Dan and their small team, they create highly effective, all natural Aromatherapy products that are free from SLS, parabens, synthetic fragrance, petroleum and mineral oils, and are never animal tested.
You can check out Corinne Taylor here to find out more about her as well as her wonderful natural products.
Wildheart Organics
From the south of the UK to the north and we find ourselves in Edinburgh where Wildheart Organics are based. Emma Sinclair is the founder and wellness seeker behind the brand. A lover of all things healthy, creating Wildheart Organics was a natural process for her. Their products, including their candles, only use 100% essential oils blended to enhance your mood and wellbeing. Their promise to you is that their products only contain essential oils and nothing else. They use the highest amount of essential oils creating a luxury product with the optimum therapeutic benefits. Every Wildheart product is hand-made in Britain using only quality natural ingredients.
Wildheart do not test on animals as well as refusing to use products tested on animals. 100% of their containers, bottles and packaging are recyclable too. Quality is important to them through the raw material supply chain as well as ensuring there is no petrochemicals or toxic substances. and the raw material supply chain.
Check Wildheart here to see their full range of organic products.
The Bearded Candlemakers
Hopping across to the Emerald Isle that is Ireland we have The Bearded Candlemakers. The scent master behind this wonderful candle company is Michael. His mission has to been to create intriguing scents based on his own stories and memories from growing up in Ireland and produced them into candles. Scent has always intrigued him, even from a young age where he wrote about stories of scent at school. The Bearded Candlemakers have developed their own unique scent blends that are guaranteed to last to the very end of the candles life. Using 11% natural fragrance in their candles, they surpass most candle makers who only use about 3-5%. For The Bearded Candle Makers, the scent is the most important part.
The soy wax they use comes from sustainable soy family-run farms sustainable agriculture at their core in America. These are also Kosher certified farms to ensure they all meet the highest industry standards for hygiene and safety. The Bearded Candlemakers soy candles are guaranteed free from palm wax, beeswax, pesticides and herbicides.
Oh and If you’re lucky enough to live in Ireland, The Bearded Candlemakers also run workshops on candle and scent making. You can check them out here.
Tussie Mussie London
In the Victorian era, hand-tied posies of flowers and herbs were called Tussie Mussies. They conveyed hidden messages to the recipient such as a rose for love, rosemary for remembrance and orange blossom to celebrate marriage. Tussie Mussie London has taken their Victorian posy name-sake and created candles with the same ideology. The fragrant language of flowers without words in the form of luxury hand poured candles.
Natural wax, natural cotton wicks and contain essential oils are all designed to harness beautiful scent whilst revealing a secret language of scent providing a meaning to each candle made. Made in small batches, their luxury candle range brings beautiful fragrances into your home and make wonderful gifts for loved ones.
They also create bespoke blends for weddings, venues and restaurants. You can’t beat having your own personalised scent to remember your special day and scent is one that can evoke memories.
Tussie Mussie London also supports charities and this year they have produced a candle Hope that donates £10 from every sale to the charity Sentebale. Founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, Sentebale gives hope to children and young people living with HIV in Lesotho and Botswana, supporting their mental health and wellbeing so they can live long, happy, healthy lives. You can find this and their other candle ranges here.
HOBOSOYCANDLES
Rachael Clark is the founder of Hobo Soy Candles. Well travelled, she lives in the lovely market town of Louth in Lincolnshire. A creative at heart, Rachael has always had a penchant for making and creating. Candlemaking started as a hobby for her in 2013 which she has transformed into a successful small independent business.
Rachael’s inspiration for her candles comes from her travels and the love of the outdoors. Simple in their design, her candles not only ensure they complement most interiors they are blended to help create a sense of happiness, relaxed and cosy feel to them too.
All Hobo Soy Candles are hand poured in small batches using only the finest quality 100% natural soy wax infused with a blend of premium fragrance and essential oils using unbleached cotton wicks.
You can check out Hobo Soy Candles here for their full range.
There are a growing number of candlemakers who take an ethical approach to their businesses as well as taking into consideration the health benefits for you and your homes. So the next time you need your candle fix, you may want to do a little research first beforehand to ensure you’re buying with these in mind.
Until next time, thanks for stopping by!
Maria x
2 Comments
Pure luxury, Chris and I use a LOT of candles, light them every evening!! Chris makes lots of ours……seriously!!! Not sure what he puts in them, I stay well away!!! :D xx
There’s nothing like candlelight in the evening! I used to make mine too, but sadly time is against me these days… Thanks for stopping by! :D xx