Beeswax Candles: The Safer Alternative to Paraffin

The beautiful light of a candle flame, exquisite, warm, and enduring and almost always present in our most sacred and special times.

Here at Something Borrowed Portland we know that candles are an important part of any occasion and we wanted to share some information on sustainable choices and use and care.

Beeswax Candles – the Natural Choice

We promote and encourage the use of 100% beeswax candles with natural fiber wicks at your event. Here are just a few reasons why we feel beeswax candles are the ecological and healthy choice:

• Renewable and sustainable gift from nature.
• Cleans the air through emission of negative ions.
• Burns brighter and cleaner than other waxes.
• Does not require artificial scenting, has a deliciously sweet natural smell!
• Non-toxic, non-allergenic and non-carcinogenic.

Environmental Impacts of Paraffin

Did you know that the majority of the candles that you purchase in stores are made from paraffin? Paraffin is a petroleum by-product that is created with crude oil from the bottom of the barrel that has been rejected by the gasoline industry. This by-product is then mixed with other ingredients including industrial strength bleach to create it’s white waxy appearance. When burned these candles release high levels of indoor pollutants, specifically soot and lead. Soot from paraffin candles is documented to have caused many millions of dollars of damage to the walls, surfaces and ventilation systems of our homes. Paraffin contains many dangerous chemicals including known or probable carcinogens, neurotoxins and reproductive toxins. The majority of paraffin candles also contain lead core wicks. The EPA has found that burning candles with lead core wicks may result in indoor air concentrations above EPA recommended thresholds.

So now that we know burning paraffin candles is not a healthy choice for ourselves or our animal companions we can see that natural beeswax candles are a safe and natural alternative that have been used and enjoyed for hundreds of years. If you would like to ensure you are using the cleanest and most natural candles available make sure that the supplier assures that the wax is 100% and has a natural lead free wick. Some suppliers advertise natural beeswax candles but they are sometimes mixed with other waxes to lower the cost. We feel the added cost of a 100% beeswax candle with a natural wick is an investment in health and a naturally renewable resource.

Resources

Just a reminder, you can add affordable 100% beeswax candles to your Something Borrowed order! They are located in our inventory and created lovingly to add the fire to your special day.

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Tagged as: beeswax candles, candles, paraffin