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There’s a significant focus on buying environmentally friendly and safe products these days and rightly so. When you think about beeswax, your first instinct is to assume it’s safe because, after all, it’s naturally produced. However, you may have seen some of the horror stories online about candles that don’t provide a clean burn and this leaves you asking ‘are beeswax candles safe?’
Compared to something like paraffin wax, beeswax candles are far safer and burn much more cleanly. In addition to this, they have a wealth of other benefits such as air purifying properties and a longer burn time, amongst others.
If you’re keen to have a fresh, fragrant, and welcoming home then beeswax candles are a good choice. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect.
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Beeswax Candles vs Paraffin Wax Candles
For many years, some of the biggest candle brands on the planet have used paraffin wax to make their products. One of the main reasons for this is that paraffin wax has a greater ability to retain fragrance for longer. Plus, the aroma of a scented paraffin wax candle is much stronger.
However, this type of wax gives off a lot of toxins when it’s burned and, as a result, you’ll often notice nasty black marks around the top of the candle jar. This is soot which is a result of an incomplete process where carbon is not fully combusted.
As you’re probably well aware, humans have done a lot of damage to the planet as a result of their carbon footprint. Burning paraffin wax candles, which are made from crude oil, gives off these toxins that are not compatible with a healthy environment.
On the other hand, beeswax offers a much cleaner burn that’s far more eco-friendly. Unlike paraffin candles, they give off far fewer toxins and soot which is great news for anyone trying to be greener. Moreover, beeswax candles are 100% natural and are not treated with any chemicals during the manufacturing process.
The Amazing Benefits Of Beeswax Candles
It’s clear to see that beeswax candles are the obvious choice when it comes to caring for the environment. But this isn’t where their advantages end. In fact, there are so many reasons to choose beeswax over paraffin and I’ll explain these in a little more detail below.
They Clean The Air
One of the best things about beeswax candles is that they have the ability to purify the air in your home. This is brilliant news for allergy or asthma sufferers that require as clean air as possible to ensure good health.
The reason this happens is because, when beeswax burns, it produces negative ions that react with any toxins or pollutants in the surrounding air, neutralizing them. This includes things like allergens, mold, and dust.
They Burn For A Long Time
If you’ve ever spent money on that well known brand of paraffin candles (you know which company I’m talking about) then you may have noticed that they burn down pretty quickly. Even the larger ones!
When you consider the high cost of these scented candles, it’s easy to see how one could end up spending a small fortune on home fragrance.
But beeswax candles are far more efficient and cost effective since they have a much longer burning time. This is because they have a much higher melting point.
It’s true that natural products, like beeswax candles, may also come with a high cost, but over time, you’ll definitely save money.
They’re Excellent Odor Neutralizers
I have a teenage son and let me tell you that there’s no other smell quite like what comes out of his bedroom. The same can be said if you have pets or if cigarettes are being smoked in your home. Heck, even the odors that come from cooking can be overpowering at times.
While odors are normal in the home, they’re not something we want hanging around but because of the way that beeswax candles work, you won’t have to put up with those stinky smells.
This is all thanks, once again, to the beeswax candle’s ability to neutralize pollutants in the air, of which, odors are one.
Natural Scents
Some people prefer an unscented candle because, let’s face it, some of the scented candles out there can be very overpowering. Beeswax candles, even when unscented, have a very delicate and sweet fragrance that won’t be unbearable in your home.
But if you’re a fan of the scented candle then you won’t be disappointed because many companies make naturally scented beeswax candles. This is a great way to add some character and personality to your home and make it more inviting.
Unlike other types of candles, the scent of a beeswax candle is created using essential oil. These are again produced by nature so you won’t need to worry about releasing any harmful chemicals into your home.
How To Safely Use Beeswax Candles
When it comes to the safety of candles, it really doesn’t matter which type of wax is used; there’s always a risk of accidents or fires if the candle isn’t used properly.
Before starting to use beeswax candles in your home, it’s very important to familiarize yourself with general candle safety.
I recently had this talk with my daughter who is in her late teens. She wanted to start burning candles in her bedroom so I talked with her about how to safely use them. Unfortunately, she was very naive about the subject and even told me that I was being overly cautious.
The truth is that you can never be too careful when it comes to the safe use of beeswax candles. Here are a few helpful tips:
- Always trim the candle wick to no longer than ¼ of an inch. As a side note here, I’d like to make you aware that the use of lead wicks in candles is no longer permitted during manufacturing which is another great benefit and gives you peace of mind where toxins are concerned.
- For candles that are not already contained within a jar, it’s essential to place them into a fireproof holder.
- Before lighting your beeswax candle, be sure that any pooled wax from the previous burn is free from debris.
- Never place beeswax candles within 10 cm of one another.
- Do not leave a burning candle unattended. If you leave the room or the house, be sure to fully extinguish any candles using a snuffer.
- Keep candles away from soft furnishings, curtains, and anything else that could set alight in the event that it touches the flame.
- While beeswax candles do offer a much cleaner burn, it is still important to ensure proper ventilation in the home when burning them, especially if they are scented. At the same time, it’s a good idea to avoid placing the candle in the path of a draft.
- If you notice that the flame starts to flicker intensely, you should immediately extinguish your beeswax candle and allow it to cool down. You can then trim the wick, remove any debris from the wax and relight it.
- Once your candles begin to burn down, keep an eye on how much wax is left and extinguish the candle once it reaches around ½ inch.
If you keep these tips in mind and implement them every time you use your beeswax candles, there is no reason why they should not be completely safe to use.
Final Thoughts
Are beeswax candles safe? It’s a question that I get asked a lot because there’s a plethora of information online about the environmental impact of burning candles. But the good news is that because beeswax candles are totally natural, they don’t give off toxins and are 100% safe and environmentally friendly.
