Imagine…Non-Toxic, Paraffin-Free, Clean-Burning Scented Candles for a healthy home and safe environment. Coming soon from Chiki Buttah!
Believe it or not, burning candles can have a negative impact on your health. You can find candles everywhere these days in every kind of store and they are usually inexpensive. Most conventional candles are made with petroleum/paraffin wax, synthetic fragrance, and scent boosters, which are full of toxic chemicals that can have a negative impact on your health.
Babies and pets are especially at risk because they are much more sensitive to chemicals and are still developing. Continued exposure to these chemicals can cause all kinds of health risks such as asthma, headaches, allergies, lung, heart, and reproductive issues.
Most candle companies either choose profit over health or simply are unaware of the health risks attributed to cheap wax made from petroleum and scented with synthetic fragrance. According to the CDC, evidence shows that scented candles release toxic chemicals and particulate matter into the air, including formaldehyde and benzene which are known to be cancer-causing.
You may be asking, what constitutes a clean candle? Candles that are made from natural waxes such as soy, beeswax, and coconut wax do not contain chemicals because they are not processed from crude oil. These waxes are in fact all- natural.
Paraffin wax is a by-product of crude oil and goes through very harsh chemical processes to achieve the final product. When these candles burn they emit these chemicals into the atmosphere. On the other hand, candles made from natural wax and pure botanical scents will enhance the ambiance and atmosphere of a room without the risk of exposure to these chemicals.
What about candles scented with synthetic fragrances? We usually burn candles when we are winding down from work, reading, yoga, meditating, bathing, etc. This is mainly when we are inside with the windows shut, which means if you are burning an inexpensive candle made from paraffin wax and synthetic fragrance, you are breathing in some very toxic chemicals.
You may also notice the black smoke that burns off of the wick when lit. This soot is not only toxic to breathe in but also covers the walls, furniture, and curtains. The soot also circulates through your air ducts. In other words, it gets on everything! This soot contains 11 toxins, including two carcinogens: toluene and benzene.
How do you know if your candles are safe? Look for candles that are made with pure essential oils. Unfortunately, it is difficult to be certain that a company is in fact using pure essential oils, pure botanical essences, or a combination of both.
Always read the ingredients and do some research on the company you are buying from. What is their mission statement and ethics concerning health and wellness? If you are buying candles from chain stores you are very likely buying candles that are not clean and free of chemicals.
Candles made with pure essential oils and good quality wax are more expensive to make and the scents will not throw as far. The scent is usually more subtle so most companies would rather use synthetic fragrances for this reason. Even if they are using clean soy or coconut wax and still use artificial fragrance, it defeats the purpose!
These days, it is so important to reduce the number of chemical toxins in our daily lives. As we use more and more products that are not clean this creates a cumulative effect of toxicity in our lives. Especially when it comes to our home environment. Your home is your sanctuary and a clean environment will support your health, vitality, and wellbeing.
Check out Chiki Glo from Chiki Buttah here.
As we become more and more aware of what to look out for, we can feel empowered to make better, healthier choices in our day-to-day lives. Our mission here at Chiki Buttah is to inform and educate ourselves and our community, as much as we can, so that we can begin to make incremental changes for a healthier, brighter future for us all!
