Who doesn’t love some fragrant luminescence to set an ambient atmosphere for study routines, meditation or just some me-time?
Candles have always been a part of our celebrations and even shamanistic divination rituals. But now, they have become an excellent form of aromatherapy and a calming meditation routine. However, conventional wax candles are made from certain ingredients that can be potentially harmful. Although there is little evidence that establishes if candles are bad for you or not, it is always safer to go for non-toxic candles when you are indulging yourself.
In fact, you can also make your own candles- (and maybe go forward with opening a candle business after testing your skills, tee hee!). Or if, you aren’t keen on spending some bucks on the supplies, you can always go for fragrant, non-toxic wax candles that will help you relax and set the mood.
What Goes Into Making Eco-Friendly and Non-Toxic Candles?
Not all candles are made alike, said a candle aficionado at some point. And it’s a truism that glows and roars when we speak about non-toxic, eco-friendly candles.
Candles are a cost-effective option and it has a good reason for that. Paraffin wax is the most commonly used ingredient to make candles. And this is exactly where you should be vigilant because Paraffin wax is a petroleum by-product (mostly, palm oil, which has a notorious reputation for being unsafe and majorly unethical.)
Moreover, candle manufacturers use ‘bulk’ fragrances that are affordable. Manufacturers usually use solvents to turn these fragrances into liquids. This might hit you with whoa, as phthalates are a part of the whole process too. Phthalates are gaining a bad name too, because they cause respiratory problems. This is why many cosmetic manufacturers are going for phthalate-free manufacturing.
From sustainable and eco-friendly hair dyes to other make-up products like lipsticks- some manufacturers are trying to limit paraffin as well as use of artificial fragrances. Now, this is what we’re talking about when we think of a healthy and sustainable lifestyle! Take a look at our list of these 12 popping vegan hair dye brands that give you slaying bold locks!
But…if not paraffin, then what goes into sustainable candles?
The basics, of course- wax, wicks and oils- but with a twist. Yeah, beeswax is a good alternative to paraffin, but how about going for soy wax? An increasingly popular plant-based wax, soy wax is derived from soybean oil. And it has lots of advantages- it burns cleaner than paraffin and costs less than beeswax!
Secondly, the wick- for a good, long-lasting flame, the wick should be able to absorb the molten wax like a sponge. However, wicks come with a Goldilocks standard- not too big, not too little, but just the right length. For an eco friendly soy wax candle, you can use a cotton wick or a wooden wick. But do use a wick holder, or some tape to hold the cotton wick into place, because this one, might have a mind of its own.
Last, but not least, the fragrance. If you want to go au natural, use essential oils. There is no meter as such for using them, but put as many drops as you like according to your preference. If you detest stronger fragrances, use something like lavender, jasmine or cedar. Avoid using artificial fragrances and you’re good to go.
How to Make Soy Candles At Home?
For craft enthusiasts, this is something they should try at least once in their life. However, prepare your supplies and safety gear beforehand.
To make soy wax candles, you’ll need-
- Soy Wax flakes, or melted wax from a used soy candle (Reuse that if you can)- 2 cups
- A glass bowl/ shot glass/ any microwave-safe glass jar (your container should be able to withstand a good amount of heat without cracking)
- Aluminium Bowl to melt the wax
- A ladle
- Thermometer
- Essential Oils as per your preference
- Cotton Wick
- Wick Holder/ Tape
- Scissors
- Patience and lots of it!
Steps to make sustainable and natural soy candles
Melt the wax. You can make a double boiler at home by placing a glass bowl over a boiling pot of water. Put the flakes in that and melt them till you get a chocolate glaze like consistency.
After that, let the wax cool down a bit, but do not wait till it hardens. Put 5-10 drops of essential oil in the wax and stir. If you prefer a stronger scent, put more drops of oil in the wax.
Prepare your container and wick. Put a drop of wax at the bottom of the container smack in the center like you’re playing darts for life (Kidding, just trust the process. A little spill here or there is just a happy accident, like Bob Ross says.). Place the wick on the moist wax and hold it there till the wax hardens. You can also put the wick in place by using a wick holder or some tape as well. Make sure that some length of the wick dangles out of the jar. You can snip it later. Use a paper clip to hold the wick nice and taut.
Pour the molten wax in the container. But don’t fill it to the brim. Do not rush it while the wax dries. And never make the mistake of putting the candle in the fridge, otherwise the candle will develop cracks.
Let the wax harden, at least overnight. When it does, snip the wick to your desired length.
Your soy candle is ready! Feel free to pamper yourself with it and go boast about your creation on social media!
Luminescent Luxury: Channelize Self-Care Vibes With These 7 Fragrant Non-Toxic Candles!
If you think that flexing your creative muscle might burn your house down, you can always buy fragrant, natural candles to decorate your happy space. Also, you might want to go for readymade candles because making soy candles at home can be an expensive affair. But that experience is rewarding, so it depends on your choice what you wish to choose.
And now that you have decided to buy yourself some fragrant and bright goodies, take a look at these lovely soy wax candles that you’d love to possess!
Boy Smells
This Los Angeles aroma care brand is one of the best when it comes to candle care (which sounds lovely and exotic BTW). Boy Smells offers a wide variety of candles AND the right way to light them. If you were thinking that we were doing it right, lighting blackened wicks and all, that’s not the case. TBH I am feeling guilty of that sacrilege I have committed countless times. Aside from candles, the brand also offers tools like wick trimmers (that’s a thing. And yes, you’ve been living in a cave.)
Each of Boy Smells candle is hand-poured into a pretty container that you can reuse. Cinderose, Cashmere Kush and Hinoke Fantôme are some of their blends you should try out.
Fireside
Hey, hey forest bonfire enthusiasts! (Forest bonfires, not forest fires. There is enough of that happening already.) If you would like your date nights to smell like amber, musk and vetiver and make it a cozy experience- go right ahead with Fireside’s wood-wicked offering.
Hyggelight
To get a fragrant candle AND in a ceramic plant pot you can use later is a deal you shouldn’t sit out. Hyggelight’s pure 100% soy wax candle is as eco-friendly as it can get. With 10 different scented variants to choose from, you should go grab a candle to make it light up like paradise.
United by Blue
This brand uses GMO-free soy-wax, which is one of the best alternatives out there. United by Blue’s hand-poured candles come in 5 delicious and soothing scents in 2 sizes. Choose yours and soak in the decadent goodness while you soak up in a bathtub.
phlur
phlur offers hand-poured and cruelty-free soy wax candles that are setting some serious standards for all eco-friendly candles out there. However, as compared to others, phlur offers only 3 scents and 2 sizes in its range. But limited scents do not mean a similar candle care experience. Who knows, you might pick your favourite from this short and sweet range?
Heretic
If you want to channelize some mystic, Ayurveda-vibes, Heretic’s range of candles are sure to delight your olfactory senses with its scented candle range. These herbal candles come with unbleached cotton wicks too!
Keap
Now here is a break from soy wax– Keap’s candles are made from coconut wax, which is another vegan option. The brand offers 8 main scents and if you become an ardent subscriber, you can choose from 3 specially curated scented candle options. This zero-waste brand also implements the motto in their packaging which can be composted. Caring for the planet becomes easier and a little posh too. So, make sure you Keap those candles close to you!
What Do We Think of Non-Toxic Candles?
In our opinion, while the evidence of the health cons of burning regular paraffin candles is still elementary, you won’t like to subject yourself to the risks. Also, even if you are burning natural, sustainable soy-wax candles, DO NOT burn them over 3-4 hours. Avoid keeping candles on electronics and air out the space as well- because while we care for the planet, we care for you too. Candle therapy is an excellent form of
As for making your own candles, it is a good way to go about self-care as well as invoke your creative bent of mind. You can also sell your candles, once you are confident of your practice and expertise. Just make sure that you elevate the experience by going for natural options. Soy wax flakes aren’t the only plant-based wax alternatives out there. You can also explore vegetable wax and coconut wax that are as good as soy.
