One of my favorite elements of interior decorating is light. Different types of light can transform the mood of a room despite the furniture or space. When my roommate and I come home after a long stressful day at work, we tend to turn off the bright overhead lights and turn on a softer side-lamp. We then sometimes light a few lavendar scented candles which creates the perfect ambiance to relax and unwind before we watch some tv or eat dinner. Since I enjoy candles so much, I want to make sure I’m making the smartest and safest purchasing decisions when I buy candles, and not get completely distracted by the pretty colors and scents.
However, there seems to be some debate over what type of candles are the most eco-friendly. I’ve heard some buzz about soy candles – some people love them while others don’t see a difference from regular candles. I decided to do some research and see what the deal was with all these various types of household candles. There are three main types of candles: paraffin, soy, and beeswax. Paraffin is the easiest type to find and is what most household candles are made out of. However petroleum is used to make paraffin wax, which means it isn’t necessarily the most eco-friendly choice. Soy has been popularly marketed as a domestic and fossil fuel-free candle choice. Soy has also been said to be a healthier option because it gives off less particulate matter as it burns, but studies have shown that the amount of particulate matter given off by paraffin candles isn’t enough to be hazardous to peoples’ health or safety.
The third popular type of candle is beeswax. Beeswax is slightly less popular than soy and paraffin, but these candles are obviously not made from fossil fuels (like petroleum paraffin candles), and if you purchase them from a local bee farm you can help support local agriculture and cut down on transportation emissions. Plus beeswax burns very slowly, so your candles will last a long time, therefore eliminating the need for you to use more resources and buy more candles. I’m looking forward to researching some local farms with their own beeswax candles; I’m intrigued by this traditional option.
Of course, with whichever option you choose, always make sure to use candles in a safe way….you know: keep them away from children, don’t leave them unattended, etc. and enjoy!