Candles are often overlooked as potential health hazards, as we as customers tend to focus on the lovely vanilla or cinnamon aroma that fills your home, but the question still begs to be asked - “are these scents harming my health?”. Let’s break down the common myths or claims that people tend to use in the argument that candles are bad. The most common claim is simply that the wicks contain a lead core. Australia’s candle guidelines are very strict and although a consumer places their trust in the candle maker, we as the candle maker have restrictions on the supplies that we are allowed to use. Wicks that contain more than 0.06% of lead are legally banned in Australia.
It becomes clear that this common claim is false as its outdated as relevant steps within the candle maker guidelines have been taken to reduce the impact on your health. That’s not saying that some candle brands do not use wicks with less than 0.06% of lead, but here at Modern Candle Co we pride ourselves on sourcing only the highest quality supplies that amplify your home and are 100% safe for your health. Purchasing a candle from Modern Candle Co means you can be sure that only quality resources have been used - we use the Stabilo KST CDN wicks. Stabilo KST CDN wicks are one of the best wicks for candle making due to their features. These wicks are/have:
- Coreless & non directional
- Lead & zinc free
- Enhanced burning properties
- Resistant to oxidation
Moving onto the second claim that causes doubt about candles and our health is that candle wax is made from harmful chemicals that are emitted into the air when burned. Although this can be the case for some old fashioned paraffin candle wax, it does not apply to Modern Candle Co. We have carefully tried and tested a variety of soy waxes that are able to hold a triple scent and burn beautifully. The wax used in all of our candles (including pillar) is 100% soy wax made from soybeans. Our wax holds the highest amount of fragrance that is deemed safe and has an excellent scent throw. When choosing a candle, our biggest advice is to confirm that the wax is either soy or a safe paraffin.
All candles come with a risk, however the safest way to ensure that you know the candle is safe for your health is to simply ask. If you are looking for the newest scent addition for your home, contact the maker - send them an Instagram or Facebook DM, or email and simply see what their ingredients are and know the questions to ask to ensure you get the right answer.