And since National Plant-A-Flower Day is March 12, we think there’s no better way to celebrate than to convert these candle vessels into the cutest flower planters.
Use the plant-derived scents to inspire your planting! Here are some ideas for flowers that evoke the joyful essence of each candle:
They also happen to be the perfect size for planting your favorite kitchen herbs for year-round use! Or, perhaps planting is your thing? There are so many ways to repurpose these engraved ceramic pieces, don’t throw them away!
They’re great for aesthetic storage of small items. Or, keep the candle-vibe illuminated and pop in one of our unscented tea lights for continued candle-joy.
The simple, passive pleasure of a candle is the kind of light that can be passed onto others. So we take special care in sourcing ingredients and materials responsibly, to craft safe, clean candles that bring positive light to all.
Our value in eco-elegance extends through to genuine care for our customers. We want your dollars to keep working for you, well after the wax. That’s why all of our vessels are made to be repurposed.
And so, the Love & Light collection is a special one for us. It represents a culmination of our dedication to consumers and our craft. It’s a celebration of the simple stuff: the warming presence of love and light between us all and for what we do.
Whole Foods Market, with over 400 stores nationwide, is now exclusively carrying our newly designed 2 ounce tins in Lavender, Eucalyptus Citrus, Fig Grapefruit, Desert Juniper, and Honeysuckle.
All 8 of our famous everyday scents remain available everywhere in their original 2- and 6-ounce tin designs. The re-design will rollout to our remaining retail partners and online this spring (and will include our new scents, Rose Patchouli and Wild Honey).
Clean Candle Club members can email us at hello@goodlightcandles.com with a photo and description of your repurposed candles to earn 100 matchsticks (that’s $10!).
Not in the Clean Candle Club?
You’ll get $5 in matchsticks just for signing up!
So, to celebrate our love story alongside everyone else, we decided Valentine’s Day is the perfect season for our limited-release LOVE candle collection.
As with all of our products, this bright and fruity Fig Grapefruit collection is paraffin-free and made with responsibly-sourced ingredients. But we’re not just stopping at making safe, eco-conscious, and affordable candles…
We have pledged 50¢ for every tin and $1 for every frosted glass candle sold from the Love candle collection to the BCPP.
And, over the last four years of this extra special-release, we are honored to have been able to donate over $14,000.
They’re available nationwide at Natural Grocers or u se our store locator to find an independent grocer near you. We recommend calling the store to see if they carry the candles you're looking for.
Grateful to the invaluable work of BCPP, we’re glad our lanes intersected all that time ago in San Francisco. Spreading love and supporting hope, one candle at a time - that’s GoodLight.
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Or, knock out your summer reading list in your favorite porch swing. GoodLight’s citronella travel tins create a pleasant ambiance, wafting that recognizable aroma so you can enjoy your book (without worrying about the bugs).
Chosen by our trusted team of self-care enthusiasts:
Relax into the moment knowing that, whichever Good Light product you choose, you’re enjoying a plant-derived, paraffin-free, clean burning candle.
Dive deep into the serenity of meditation or yoga practice. Allow the votive candle's gentle flicker to soothe your mind, leading you towards a state of profound inner peace.
Make your gatherings memorable by adding some flickering light to outdoor spaces. Whether it's a garden party or a delightful barbecue, these votive candles will light up the evening with ethereal beauty.
Sink into a state of bliss during a rejuvenating bath or spa session. Allow the soft glow of the flame to transport you to a realm of tranquility and melt your worries like the wax of a candle.
Create a cozy reading nook that lures you into literary adventures. Bask in the warm embrace of votive candles as their flickering light ignites your imagination.
Set the stage for an intimate evening by casting a warm and captivating glow across the table. The gentle flicker of candlelight creates an atmosphere of shared love and cherished moments.
Add a touch of warmth and charm to your living space by adorning coffee tables or bookshelves with votive candles. Their understated elegance will transform any corner into a cozy haven.
Ignite conversations and captivate your guests with stunning votive candle centerpieces. From formal events to casual gatherings, these luminous gems will elevate the ambiance and leave a lasting impression.
Be ready for unexpected power outages or emergencies. The votive candle will dutifully serve as a reliable 15-hour light source, offering a sense of comfort and security when darkness falls.
Create an enchanting ambiance on your special day. Dotting the venue with votive candles, you'll infuse the air with romance and elegance, casting a spell on all who attend.
Embrace the holiday spirit by incorporating votive candles into your decor. Whether it's Christmas, Hanukkah, or any other celebration, their soft glow will bring forth a sense of joy and celebration.
Guide guests with grace by lining pathways or stairs with votive candles. Their subtle radiance will beckon and lead the way, ensuring a safe and enchanting journey.
Get crafty and create stunning lanterns that catch the eye. A simple jar, large or small, becomes the perfect decorative vessel for your votive-styled lantern. Fill the jar with your favorite substrate, such as sand or stones, place a poured glass scented votive or unscented votive on top, and enjoy the rustic glow of your DIY lantern.
Take your picnics to the next level by introducing votive candles. These radiant companions will add a touch of magic to your outdoor dining experience, making each bite more memorable.
Elevate your self-care rituals with the gentle glow of votive candles. Immerse yourself in a sea of serenity and transform your bathroom into a haven of relaxation.
Dust off that old paint set and tap into your inner artiste. Acrylic paint works great on the blank canvas of your glass votive holder. Light up and watch your candle dance with its new coat of color.
PARAFFIN-FREE, RESPONSIBLE PALM WAX
Paraffin wax is a petroleum product that can release harmful toxins when burned. Palm wax, on the other hand, is a renewable resource that can be sustainably grown without harming rainforests or endangering wildlife. With the assistance of Wild Asia, we pay a premium to smallholder farmers in Indonesia for their sustainably grown palm oil crops. In addition, we're funding a carbon renewal project that will help these farmers improve soil health and in turn, improve their livelihoods. It's an inspiring next step in self-reliance and the realization of true sustainability.
COTTON WICKS
Our chemical-free and lead-free wicks burn clean and produce less soot.
PURE ESSENTIAL OILS
No phthalates, synthetic, or artificial fragrances. Just pure, essential refreshing & invigorating lemon, litsea cubeba, orange, and cedarwood oils.
RECYCLABLE & REUSABLE GLASS
Glass is a sustainable material that can be recycled over and over again. (Or, feel free to reuse our votives and jars! They make great paint brush holders!)
RECYCLED & RECYCLABLE PACKAGING
We are plastic-free, from wax to wick and container. Recycle our aluminum tins and tea light cups and paperboard boxes.
We are committed to making a difference in the world - and grateful for our customers and partners who help us spread the good light.
Candle tunneling can be a real nuisance. You must learn how to deal with it, or you might not get the most out of your candle purchases.
Throughout this article, we will talk about all things related to candle tunneling. Learn more about why that happens and how you can fix it. We will also provide some tips for preventing that specific issue.
Join us as we delve deeper into the topic of candle tunneling!
As its name suggests, candle tunneling occurs when the flame you lit only affects the central portion of the candle. Candles burn hottest near the center where the wick is.
The fact that the center of the candle is melting is not the issue. The real problem is that tunneling concentrates the heat only to that central portion of the candle. Because of that, the surrounding wax remains mostly untouched.
Candle tunneling can be an issue for three reasons.
First, tunneling is annoying because it can stop you from relighting the candle. With the wick now descending lower than the side wall of the candle, the wick may become inaccessible. You will no longer be able to light the candle after tunneling reaches a certain point.
You do not want your expertly made scented candles going to waste because of tunneling.
Candle tunneling may not be a serious threat to your home, but it is an annoyance, nonetheless. Learn more about candle tunneling by reading on so you can stop worrying about it.
It is tough to work on preventing or fixing candle tunneling if you do not know what causes it in the first place. Candle tunneling can occur due to incorrect wick size, the temperature inside your home, and wax memory.
Let’s detail those causes of candle tunneling further.
To put it simply, a candle is not going to burn properly if its wick is not the right size.
Wicks that are too large for the candle can cause damage. You may find soot accumulating inside the container if the burning wick is too big.
Too much soot inside the container will be a problem because it can damage the container. Even the table the container is resting on may be affected.
Undersized wicks are the ones that cause candle tunneling.
Because the wick is too thin or short, the intensity of its flame may not be enough to melt the sides of the candle. The heat will mainly affect only the center of the candle and tunneling will take place.
The temperature inside your home can affect how the candle performs. Cold temperatures can cause some portions of the candle to melt at a slower rate.
The heat may cause the wax located near the wick to melt faster than the surrounding walls. That is eventually going to result in noticeable tunneling.
When you light a candle for the first time, all portions of it will feature the same density. As the heat works through the wax, though, certain portions of the candle will start to melt while others may not.
Those portions of melted wax may harden later, but they will not last as long as they did prior to the initial burn. They will melt at a lower temperature relative to the rest of the candle. Those softer portions of the candle are known as wax memory.
It can sometimes take days or even weeks before those previously melted portions of the candle harden to their original density. If not enough time has passed between the lightings, they will melt at a faster rate.
The development of wax memory can be a real issue for paraffin wax candles. Since palm wax candles, like GoodLight candles, are harder, they are less susceptible to that issue.
| You may like this article on how to properly burn a candle!
We now know what candle tunneling is, why it is bad, and why it happens. With all that knowledge in hand, we are now better equipped to prevent it from happening.
Detailed below are some of our top tips for preventing candle tunneling.
Does it seem like the candles you are using all succumb to tunneling? That could be because you often purchase low-quality candles.
The manufacturers of those low-quality candles may not be paying enough attention to the wicks they are using in their products. Wicks that aren't properly sized can hamper the performance of a candle. The width in particular can play a significant role in that.
Don't forget about the makeup of the candle too. Paraffin wax is very soft and candles made from that material melt faster. You can avoid that issue altogether by purchasing palm wax candles instead.
Even if you take the necessary precautions, a candle may still tunnel if it is poorly designed. Be more discerning with your purchases to avoid that problem.
Remember the concept of wax memory we were talking about earlier? We need to use that to our advantage whenever we light a candle.
Basically, you set the right burn path for your candle if you want to save it from tunneling later on. You want to level out how the candle burns by ensuring the heat gets to the edges.
So, how do you pull that off? The secret lies in burning the candle for the right amount of time. The size of the candle will tell you more about how long you should keep its fire going.
The rule of thumb here is that the initial burn time needs to run longer as the candle gets wider. You want to completely melt the first layer of wax before you put the candle out. Be warned that this process can take a bit of time.
If your candle is one inch wide, you need to let it burn for at least one hour. Tack on another hour for every additional inch of candle width.
Allowing the candle to burn that long should allow the heat to reach the edges. Those edges will melt faster the next time you light the candle, and they will prevent tunneling.
To be extra cautious, check on your candle every 30 minutes or so. The specific characteristics of your candle can affect how quickly it melts. Avoid letting the candle melt for longer than it has to by checking it regularly.
Trimming the wick is a recommended practice because it allows the candle to burn properly. You usually want to trim the wick to between 1/8 and 1/4 of an inch long.
However, you may want to avoid trimming by that much if your candles have tunneled in the past. By leaving the wick a bit longer, you allow a bigger flame to burn. That larger flame will have an easier time melting the candle evenly.
Very cold temperatures can cause the candle to burn improperly. When you light the candle, make sure you avoid putting it in a position where it won't be able to melt evenly.
Do not put the candle near any fans or open windows. The cold wind passing through could put out the flame accidentally. The flame getting extinguished earlier than expected could lead to tunneling.
Let’s say that it is already too late to prevent your candle from tunneling. That is okay because there are still things you can do to address the issue.
Check out the tips for fixing candle tunneling we have included in this section. Try them out for yourself until you find a method that works.
Not all instances of tunneling will result in a ruined candle. Your candle may burn in a way that causes the middle to tunnel a little bit. Eventually, though, it will even out, and the candle will burn as the manufacturers intended.
If you notice that your candle is tunneling, check how wide it is. After that, take note of how long it has been burning. Refer to the burning guidelines we discussed earlier to find out if the candle is melting at the right pace.
The oven is not only for baking lasagna and cake. You can also use it if you need to fix a candle that has started to tunnel.
Get the candle you want to fix and place it inside your oven. Close the oven door and then set the temperature to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. Lastly, set the timer for five minutes.
After those five minutes have elapsed, put on your oven mitts, and check on the candle. It should now look nice and smooth with the edges melted down.
This next method is a bit unconventional, but it does work. It will also involve some aluminum foil.
What you want to do is gather enough aluminum foil so you can cover the edges of the candle’s container while also creating some overhangs. The overhang should span the entirety of the container’s brim and extend a bit into the middle.
Go ahead and use multiple layers of aluminum foil so the overhang stays in place better.
Do not cover the candle completely, though. The wick should still burn, so you need to let some air in.
With the aluminum covering in place, you can set the candle down. According to Better Home & Gardens, you should allow the candle to burn for about two more hours after setting the aluminum cover.
Once those two hours are up, check on the candle again. Be careful because the aluminum covering and the container itself will likely be hot. If everything went well, the surface of the candle should now be nice and level.
You will find some folks who try to create a dome of aluminum foil to fix candle tunneling. That will work too but constructing that aluminum dome may be a bit tougher.
It is possible that your candle may have tunneled too much for anything to work.
Since you can no longer use the fixes we detailed earlier, you will need to do something else. It may be time for you to use a candle warmer.
A candle warmer is a handy little device that allows you to continue enjoying your scented candles even after they have tunneled badly. Candle warmers are interesting because they only work on the wax portion of the candle. They utilize a heat source to melt the wax down and release its scent into your home.
Per MarthaStewart.com, candle warmers are great to use because they allow the scents to last longer, and they are also considered safer. They are safer because they do not need an open flame to melt the wax.
Still, some folks do like the open flame provided by the candle. They enjoy how it looks and the atmosphere it creates.
Decide for yourself if you are okay with using a candle warmer to maximize what is left of your tunneled candle.
Tunneled candles are far from useless. Hopefully, the tips we have included in this article will help you fix those tunneled candles you have at home.
If you are on the market for new candles, we at GoodLight Candles can present you with a wide range of options. Contact us today if you are interested in making a purchase.]]>From playful pets to cooking huge meals, your home can be filled with a variety of unpleasant fragrances. Fortunately, it’s easy to make your home smell amazing with the right scents and accessories. Whether you love the smell of beautiful flowers, natural herbs, or holiday spice there are several ways you can fill your home with nose-pleasing aromas. This guide will show you several ways to keep your home smelling fresh, including some DIY hacks so you can make your very own home fragrances that will last. A pleasant-smelling home will improve your mood, impress your guests, and help you feel like you’re living in a cleaner environment.
With their flickering flames, scented candles are an excellent choice for relaxation and pleasant smells in the home.
Where can you use them? Candles can be enjoyed in any room, but it's essential to make sure that they're out of the reach of pets and children. Never leave a burning candle unattended. They're best for smaller spaces like a home office, bedroom, or living room to fill the room with fragrance.
Benefits. You'll find scented candles in a ton of different scents, sizes, and containers. They're a perfect way to add a decorative touch to your home while filling it wilth beautiful smells simultaneously.
Most Common. The most common types of scented candles come in a jar or glass container, but you can also find pillar candles that don't have anything around the sides or decorative candles in ceramic holders.
BROWSE OUR SCENTED CANDLES HERE.
Essential oils are a popular choice for aromatherapy and home fragrance. Here's some information about these powerful and effective air freshening oils.
What are they? Essential oils come from the part of the plant that captures its "essence." These natural oils are extracted from plants, flowers, and other organic materials and come in a high concentration so they can be diffused into the air, applied to the skin, or infused with other ingredients. They have a very long shelf life when stored properly so that you can enjoy them often as a home fragrance.
Where can you use them? If you're planning to use essential oils for fragrance, it's best to disperse them into the air through a diffuser. You can place the diffuser anywhere in your home, including the bathroom, bedroom, or kitchen. Technically, anywhere you have an electrical outlet, you can enjoy the fresh scent of DIY hacks.
Benefits. Different types of oils provide various benefits, but most gear toward relieving stress and anxiety. You can also find essential oils that clear up a stuffy nose, help improve concentration, help you sleep, or provide you with more mental clarity. While they aren't a cure-all, smelling these oils can improve your mood and make your whole home smell amazing.
Most Common. There are tons of essential oils available, but the most common people use for fragrance purposes: lavender, peppermint, lemon, and vetiver.
FUN FACT! GoodLight uses only pure essential and botanical oils in our scented candles. They are extracted from plants by cold-pressing and steam or vacuum distillation. As you might expect from us, there are no phthalates, synthetic fragrances, chemicals, lead or paraffin. Just like our unscented foundation line, the wax is 100% clean-burning palm wax and wicks are filament-free cotton.
An essential oil diffuser or humidifier can help make your home smell incredible.
What are they? Diffusers disperse the fragrance from oils into the air through humidity. These devices are easy to use and come in a range of designs and sizes. Simply fill the container inside your diffuser with water, then add a few drops of your favorite essential oil and turn it on. The diffuser will create a smoke-like vapor that permeates the air.
Where can you use them? It's best to use diffusers in areas away from pets and small children. A bathroom or home office are both great places to enjoy the fragrances of a diffuser. Remember that pets can be sensitive to essential oils, so use your diffuser with caution or only enjoy it in rooms where your furry friends can't access it.
Benefits. Diffusers make it easy to enjoy fragrances in the home, and you can tweak the scent to your liking. Simply add more drops of oil to the diffuesr for a stronger aroma, or add less if you prefer it to be more subtle.
Most Common. Plug-in diffusers are the most common choice, and they can be plugged directly into a wall outlet or stand on top of a table or shelf. Both designs are typically used for home fragrance and require electricity for them to work.
Different smells evoke different moods and can help a variety of issues. Here are some familiar smells for every occasion that you can try in your home.
Concentration. Try lemon, eucalyptus, or peppermint to promote alertness and help with productivity, focus, and concentration.
Relaxation. Soothing scents like ylang-ylang, rosemary, and lavender can help you feel more relaxed and help make your stress melt away.
Sleep. Lavender is the most popular smell to help induce feeling of sleepiness. Other good choices include clary sage, cedarwood, and bergamot.
Meetings. Citrus scents can promote positive feelings and attitudes for meeting. Try peppermint to help with alertness, or use vanilla to help relieve anxiety.
Babies. Babies require mild, soothing fragrances like chamomile, tea tree, and lavender to promote feelings of calm. The GoodLight Apricot Olive Leaf scent blend is a good match for this profile.
Here are some recommended smells (and scented candles!) to try in each room of your home.
Office. Lemon is a wonderful smell to promote alertness, while peppermint and cinnamon can help to improve concentration and stave off brain fog. Rosemary is another great option that can help promote clear thinking while improving memory.
Bedroom. Vanilla, lavender, and sandalwood are all excellent choices for the bedroom. These scents promote feelings of calm, reduce stress, and may help to induce sleep.
Kitchen.The best smells for a kitchen are light and citrusy like lemon, orange, and grapefruit. Citrus scents can cut through harsh odors, and they're best for kitchens to help keep this room smelling fresh and clean. The combination of GoodLight's Eucalyptus Citrus and Lemon Verbena scented candles are a home run when burned together in the kitchen.
Bathroom. Try ginger, peppermint or eucalyptus for a fresh scent in the bathroom. Sandalwood and sea salt scents can turn your bathroom into a relaxing spa-like environment. GoodLight's Honeysuckle scented candle is perfect for burning in the bathroom.
Living Room. You can enjoy almost any smell in the living room, including seasonal scents like pine or holiday spice during the Christmas holidays. Other great options for this room include fruit scents like GoodLight's Fig Grapefruit scented candle or warm scents like GoodLight's Vanilla Nutmeg Cardamom scented candle.
Written by Dirce Guerra
]]>Votive candles are a versatile option that can spruce up any room in your home or office. Votives are small, short candles, often confused with tea light candles, but the two types vary in several ways.
While both tea lights and votive candles are smaller and easily interchangeable, tea lights come in self-contained cups. Votives, on the other hand, are often sold independently, meaning you'll need a votive container to burn these candles safely. Sometimes, votives come pre-poured into containers, which you can reuse and fill with new candles once the wax melts completely.
Tea lights are shorter, giving them minimal burn times. Votive candles come in varying heights but are often at least one inch high. Because of their larger size, votive candles have longer burn times than tea lights.
Both tea lights and votives have a diameter of about 1.5 – 1.75". You can easily use the same candle container for both tea lights and votives.
Deciding between tea light candles and votive candles comes down to three factors: burn time, clean up, and cost.
First, consider the burn time of each product. Because tea lights are smaller, they will have a limited burn time, usually less than four hours. A votive candle is taller – at least one inch high – and will therefore burn longer. The choice between the two depends on your décor and the amount of time you need the candle to last. For instance, short-term uses, such as yoga classes, religious services, or ceremonies, might call for tea lights. But longer-lasting activities like weddings, receptions, meetings, or romantic dinners call for votive candles.
Next, you'll need to think about the clean up of each option. Because they come in self-contained metal or plastic containers, tea lights are easy to burn and discard without any clean up. If one tea light burns out, you simply remove the metal tin from the candle holder and replace it with another. Votives, on the other hand, melt into the container itself. Therefore, if you want to replace the votive, you'll have to melt the remaining wax and safely remove it from your candle holder.
Finally, consider the cost. Tea lights are much more affordable than votive candles. Some clients, like religious institutions and spas, order candles in bulk. If you need a large quantity of candles, and only need each candle to last a short time, tea lights are a good option.
Votives are more expensive per candle, but they last exponentially longer. The type of candle you need depends largely on your intended use and needed burn time.
Candles are an easy and inexpensive way to create a warm, inviting atmosphere in any room. Votives are small, making it easy to change the color scheme, scent, or ambiance of a room quickly and simply.
Votives are popular because they are versatile and classic. Light a few in the center of a coffee table for an added bit of charm, or fill an entire room with an array of votive sizes, colors, and scents for a tranquil and relaxing experience.
No matter the atmosphere you're trying to create, votive candles help you add a touch of class and calm to your space, whether in the bathroom or the breakroom.
Votive candles come in many different sizes, shapes, colors, and scents.
Typically, a votive candle is less than three inches tall, with a base no wider than 1.5" in diameter. However, sizes and shapes vary depending on the manufacturer.
Deciding which votive is best for your space depends entirely on your personal preference, décor style, and desired ambiance. Some people only need one or two votives to add a hint of fragrance or a simple, elegant touch. Others might choose hundreds of votives to line the walls or floors for a special occasion. Votives are the perfect addition to any décor because you can easily create and recreate different looks and atmospheres simply by adding new votives to your space.
Votives are incredibly versatile because you can use them with nearly any décor, in nearly any space. No matter the size or feel of your space, votive candles can spruce up a room and add a touch of class.
Many votive candles come separate from a container. To prevent a waxy mess, you'll need to choose a votive holder for your candle. You can find votive holders from your favorite home goods store, purchase one at a craft market, or make your own. The options are endless, and you can reuse the same votive candles even as you change the overall décor of your home.
Another option is to purchase a pre-poured votive. These candles are already in glass containers, ready for you to light and enjoy.
Some people are incredibly sensitive to scents and therefore prefer unscented candles. Others want to use candles to incorporate aromatherapy into their home or business, or they simply want to freshen up their space with lightly-scented votives.
Choosing a fragrance for your votive is largely about personal preference. However, be aware that some manufacturers use artificially-derived scents in their products. We choose to scent our candles with 100% natural, plant-based essential oils like calming lavender, refreshing lemon verbena, and cleansing eucalyptus citrus.
Unscented candles are ideal for those purchasing large quantities of votives. Too many scented votives in a small space can create an overwhelming aroma, negatively impacting those who are sensitive to fragrance. Likewise, restaurants or other businesses that rely on taste or smell may choose unscented candles to prevent impacting the customer's overall experience.
Votives are incredibly popular in a variety of locations around the world: private homes, businesses, restaurants, religious establishments, and self-care facilities. Because these candles are extremely versatile, the applications and uses are endless.
Add a few votives to a centerpiece at the family dinner. Place lavender-scented votives in your day spa or yoga studio to create a relaxing and calming atmosphere. Or add unscented votives throughout your restaurant for a romantic ambiance. Whether you place one candle or one hundred, votives are guaranteed to add an extra flair to your area.
Of course, candles play a large role in religious services as well. Votives offer a longer-lasting alternative to tea light candles used in some establishments. Many faith traditions light candles as symbolic gestures or sacred ritual. However, when considering what candle to use for religious practices, it's also important to consider what's inside the wax.
With so many options in the candle market, does it really matter which company you choose?
The short answer is yes. But don't just take our word for it.
Many candle companies manufacture votive candles with paraffin wax. Studies have proven that burning paraffin candles in your home can be harmful to your health. When researchers burned the paraffin candles and compared them to natural waxes, the paraffin candles emitted chemicals like alkans, alkenes, and toluene, all of which can be harmful to humans. Over months and years, exposure to these chemicals could lead to complications like cancer, allergies, and asthma, according to the study.
The harmful characteristics come from the source of the wax. Paraffin wax is made from petroleum, the same substance used for common gasoline. If you've ever burned a candle and noticed a thick film of black soot on the ceiling afterward, the candle was likely made from paraffin. These same chemicals that discolor walls and ceilings also make their way into your lungs.
Many consumers choose paraffin candles because they are incredibly affordable, and most consumers aren't aware of the dangers these products pose to consumers.
As more users learn about the dangers of paraffin wax, manufacturers are turning to safer wax sources. Beeswax, soy, and palm wax candles are all gaining in popularity.
We believe in creating candles that not only look beautiful but are also safe and healthy for our customers. That's why we use all-natural palm wax in our votive candles, responsibly sourced in Southeast Asia. Palm wax is completely safe and does not contain any chemicals or additives.
Palm wax derives from the oil palm tree, the most effective and renewable source of palm oils. This plant produces up to ten times more oils than any other oil-producing crop, making it an excellent sustainable resource for our votive candles.
Of course, every natural resource has its downsides, and palm oil is no exception. Consumer-driven deforestation has dramatically impacted the rainforests in Southeast Asia, home to 80% of the planet's palm oil production. The demand for this resource is causing massive habitat loss to the animals that call these forests home, specifically the Orangutan.
At GoodLight Candles, we recognize our responsibility to protect our planet's valuable resources. We do our part by promoting sustainable farming practices, conservation efforts, and social responsibility.
Our paraffin-free, non-GMO, 100% plant-based votives support sustainable suppliers. We are committed to reducing our impact on the environment by using all-natural materials, from the palm oil used for the wax to the essential oils to the cotton wicks. Everything is designed with environmental consciousness in mind.
GoodLight is recognized by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil as a sustainable certified business. This designation acknowledges our commitment to support sustainable palm oil farmers who focus on renewable energy, wildlife conservation efforts, positive social efforts, and conservative farming practices.
We also work closely with the Orangutan Land Trust, an organization dedicated to preserving the natural habitats of Orangutans in Southeast Asia. Irresponsible palm oil farming practices have threatened the Orangutan's habitat. The OLT works closely with local leaders to protect these creatures, through initiatives that protect Orangutans in the wild and in captivity. Each year, GoodLight donates 1% of our annual sales to the Orangutan Land Trust.
Finally, we take steps, both big and small, to reduce our carbon footprint. We partner with Carbonfund.org to offset our environmental impact by planting trees, creating recyclable and compostable products, and reducing carbon emissions in our shipping process.
In addition to promoting a healthy planet, we also believe your votive candles should promote a healthy home or office. While some manufacturers use toxic paraffin wax, chemical additives, and metal-trimmed wicks, we believe in providing all-natural, completely chemical-free products.
Our scented votives have absolutely no artificial fragrances. Every scent is derived from essential oils. Each candle also has cotton wicks, free of harmful dyes, or other additives.
It's our firm belief that chemicals have no place in your home, office, or place of worship.
While votives last longer than their tea light counterparts, there will inevitably come a day when your flame will burn out. However, votives burn in votive holders or other containers, so you'll likely need to clean out the melted wax before you can replace your votive.
To safely remove the votive wax, heat your oven to the lowest setting. Place the container on a baking sheet and place in the oven for about 10 minutes. Remove with oven mitts and remove the residue with a paper towel.
You can compost the leftover wax at any industrial or municipal composting program. Our commitment to environmental sustainability means nearly every part of our votive candle can be reused, recycled, or composted.
Simply replace the melted candle with another votive and keep the flames burning.
To learn more about our brand, our products, and our commitment to environmental sustainability, visit our website at GoodLightCandles.com.]]>Without even realizing it, you may be burning paraffin throughout your home while exposing yourself to the health hazards associated with it. If burning candles is a part of your daily routine, it’s time to educate yourself on their history, the harms of paraffin wax, and why you should discontinue using candles made from it.
Since the Roman era, people around the world have used candles for both practical and pleasurable purposes. Although they originally started as instruments of light, they eventually became a tool for producing lofty scents whenever they were lit.
In days gone by, candles were often made from an animal fat called tallow. As time went on, other ingredients came into play, paraffin wax among them.
Although paraffin has played an important role in candles over the years, now's the time to begin looking elsewhere. But first, let's learn about where it comes from and why it isn't the healthiest ingredient to use in candles.
Did you know that paraffin candle wax is a by-product of petroleum? It first became a popular ingredient for use in candles around 1867. Scientists who worked with its associated chemicals noticed that petroleum began to solidify upon cooling. When used again in candles, it had a relatively low melting point.
In present day, after it’s scraped out of oil refineries, paraffin wax is usually bleached by adding dioxin; texturized with acrolyn (a known carcinogen); and then mixed with animal-based stearic acid (a nasty byproduct of the meatpacking slaughterhouses) to harden it so that it can be made into candles.
If you’ve ever found yourself rubbing your eyes to relieve irritation not long after lighting a candle, you may have experienced the short-term effects of paraffin wax. As an eye irritant, it won’t affect everyone in the same way. However, it can cause itching, tearing, and sometimes soreness. So, if you want to be kind to your eyes, it’s a good idea to look elsewhere for candles.
Sore eyes are only the tip of the iceberg, though. There are other ways that paraffin candle waxes can harm your health:
Your lungs play an important role in ensuring you feel fresh and healthy. As you exert yourself each day, they replenish your blood with fresh oxygen and free it from toxins. Because of this, it’s in your best interests to veer away from paraffin candles.
Whenever you light a paraffin candle, you’re accidentally releasing dangerous chemicals into the air. When paraffin candles burn, they emit black soot and toxic fumes—similar in chemistry to diesel exhaust—containing poisonous chemicals such as benzene, toluene, naphthalene, tri-decane, tetra-decane, penta-decane, and hexadecane. According to one study from the University of South Carolina, those chemicals are associated with asthma, the exacerbation of respiratory conditions, and allergy-like reactions.
If you’re a big beauty fan and love treating yourself to moisturizers and creams, you may see paraffin among the ingredients — and assume that it won’t harm your skin. However, as with lots of other ingredients, paraffin comes in various forms. Some of those forms are more harmful than others.
The paraffin that exists in beauty products is likely safer to use on your skin than the paraffin you find in candles. By now, you may be thinking that you’re hardly likely to rub the wax onto your skin. Despite this, your skin isn’t immune to fumes in the air. And depending on the quality of the paraffin that’s in your candles, you may find that those fumes cause itching. They could also make existing dermatological conditions worse.
If you’ve been using paraffin wax all this time and you’re worried about giving up your love for candles, you don’t need to be. Fortunately, there are plenty of natural candle alternatives available. In the same way that the candle making world has moved on from tallow, expert candlemakers have successfully used alternatives to paraffin.
A natural, plant-based alternative to paraffin is sustainable palm wax, a non-GMO and rapidly renewable resource. As the name suggests, palm wax is derived from palm oil and sourced from Southeast Asia. When using it for candles, palm oil doesn’t require the added use of paraffin, a non-renewable resource, making it beneficial for those who prefer to live a greener lifestyle.
If you’re a fan of scents — as many candle lovers are — you’ll be pleased to learn that palm wax candles absorb scents readily. They then disperse them around the room, allowing you to immerse yourself in the joys of a scented candle that brings a touch of luxury to your home.
As a natural, non-toxic, and renewable resource, palm wax sourced from sustainably grown and harvested trees allows you to enjoy luxurious candles without worrying about your impact on the planet. Oil palm trees grow in an area where there is plenty of rainfall, so they only require minimal irrigation. Compared to other oilseed crops such as soy, palm requires less fertilizers, pesticides, and fuel to cultivate and process the oil. Additionally, oil palm trees produce up to ten times more oil per acre than other oil-producing crop.
To ensure you’re making an eco-friendly choice, look for candles made from sustainable palm. Traditionally grown oil palm trees are not sustainable and their cultivation is linked to destructive practices such as burning forests, bulldozing, and community displacement.
Naturally, you’re not just buying a candle with the aim of saving the Earth. You want to know that it will burn well, last a while, and remain aesthetically pleasing. Fortunately, palm wax takes longer to burn through than paraffin wax. As a result, it’s practical, even when you’re buying non-scented candles to keep yourself going through a power outage. Even better, it produces very little soot. Less soot means fewer opportunities for your candle holders to attract stains. In comparison, paraffin can leave lasting black marks that are unsightly.
As a candle lover, you probably already know that different manufacturers use their ingredients in different ways. Although the team here at GoodLight Natural Candles loves the use of sustainable palm wax, we’re also aware that you need to approach its use in the right way. For us, this means looking out for certain features that will ensure your candle burning experience is as environmentally friendly as possible. And how does that relate to health? Well, in most cases, what is good for the planet is also good for you.
If you’ve never given much consideration to the wick that burns through your candle, now’s a great time to start. Much like the type of wax you use, the wick can affect the quality of the candle and the way it burns. Some wicks contain metal filaments like lead to help them stand upright which are very harmful when burned. If you’ve ever burned a poor-quality candle, you’re probably also aware that a poor wick can result in an uneven burn.
Pure cotton wicks don’t feature the same chemicals used to mordant (prepare) synthetic wicks. As a result, they’re less likely to release toxic chemicals into the air that you’ll then go on to breathe. Despite being less toxic, they’re still easy to light and relight. When compared with other natural wicks, such as wooden wicks, they take around three seconds to light. In contrast, wooden wicks may take around 60 seconds, which can become uncomfortable and frustrating if you’re using a match that burns rapidly.
Essential oils sit right at the heart of a candle that smells amazing. Whether you love to light bright citrus scented treats or you’re a fan of soft floral scents, essential oils will allow you to enjoy your candle without exposing your body to phthalates and other toxins found in chemical fragrances.
Essential oils are made from pure plant sources. They are processed from flowers, barks, herbs, and seeds and contain zero synthetic ingredients. In fact, essential oils are known to possess therapeutic properties based on the specific natural compounds found within each plant. For example, lavender is known for its calming properties while peppermint may enhance mental clarity.
When shopping for sustainable palm wax candles, choose those that feature pure essential oils and plant-derived oils. For the healthiest and most enjoyable experience, turn to cold-pressed or vacuum processed essential oils. Cold pressing means that the essential oils are made without the application of heat, allowing them to retain their aromatic properties and healing benefits.
Although we’re trying to help you step away from paraffin wax candles for health reasons, we’d like to encourage an environmentally friendly approach too. After all, we’re more likely to remain healthy when we’re living on a planet that isn’t suffering from ecological harm.
Try finding natural candles that embrace recyclable packaging. Businesses that use recyclable or recycled ingredients will always proudly advertise their approach, so you won’t need to venture too far to find the right candle. It’s even possible to find plant-based plastic, so you can enjoy a candle shopping experience that’s both convenient and eco-friendly. It's also a good idea to look for aluminum you can recycle easily.
Once you’re done with your palm wax candle, try composting it rather than throwing it into the trash. Unfortunately, you can’t do the same with paraffin wax, as it’s likely to taint any compost you’re making. As palm oil is natural and free from harmful chemicals, it will complement your existing compost.
Now that we’ve established the harms of paraffin wax and the alternatives that are available, it’s time for you to get shopping!
Browse our unscented candles here
Browse our scented candles here
At GoodLight Candles, we sell both scented and unscented non-GMO, plant-based palm wax candles. Our commitment to environmentally friendly practices allows us to maintain our customers’ health while keeping the planet safe. If you’d like to learn more about our environmental commitment and stance on sustainable palm, or if you want to discuss our products, you can get in touch here.
]]>To most of us, burning a candle is a no-brainer. All you need to do is light it up and let it burn for as long as you want to. Easy-peasy.
As it turns out, there’s a proper way to do this. Correct candle care ensures the brightest flames, the longest burn times and the easiest re-lights. Because we are dedicated to creating high-quality, healthy candles, we are also invested in your use and enjoyment of them.
Whether you are a life-long candle lover or a new collector, you may find that a simple habit shift or small addition of knowledge could help you get the most out of your favorite candles. So please accept our invitation to review the most efficient way of burning a candle and tips on candle care, selecting candles, and getting more mileage out of your favorite ones.
To prevent unsightly soot and the formation of memory rings, observe the following professional candle burning tips:
If you’re new to the world of buying candles for the sake of enjoying their scent or their aesthetic, relaxing effect, then, take heed. We want to make sure you enjoy the candles you purchase, and to help guide you through the selection process. Here are a few candle buying tips:
At first, you may discover that finding the perfect candle that burns for a long time, or also has a fresh, clean, and soothing scent can take some time mastering. But once you’ve developed a keen sense of which candles, scented or unscented, work best for you, you can focus on maximizing the lifespan of your candles by implementing the above advice and following after-care tips:
CANDLE STORAGE
To protect the wax and the fragrance, store candles in a cool, dark and dry place with the lid on. New candles should be kept in their original packaging, especially those that don’t come with a container and lid. This will also protect your candles from fading or discoloration.
Heavily scented candles usually have a life span of six to 12 months — but this depends largely on the fragrance. If you love scented candles, avoid keeping them in storage for too long to prevent deterioration in terms of their performance and appearance.
Now that you’ve learned about the proper way of burning a candle, and everything else that matters in candle care, you can use your favorite candles for longer and maximize your investment.
If you’re in the market for responsibly sourced candles, consider GoodLight candles. Our candles include clean, plant-based ingredients, and reflect our commitment to using our business to promote positive change.
Want to know more about GoodLight and how you can indulge your love for candles while doing the world some good? Please reach out to us — we’ll be more than eager to share our story.]]>