Sunday, September 2, 2012

The Choice Of Eco Friendly Candles

By Chloe Gib


We all love the ambiance and fragrance a candle can bring into our home. Most candles are made of paraffin wax which is a derivative of crude oil. By using them we are helping to pollute the air we breathe. Eco friendly candles are a much better option.

A candle releases soot when it burns. This soot consists of fine particles which settle all over your home. The more clean the burn, the less soot released. Natural materials such as beeswax, soy and palm oil do not release toxic chemicals when they are burned.

The most soot is produced by a scented candle. The soot is also harmful as it contains chemicals from the artificial fragrances used. Inhaling these fine soot particles can cause health problems. They can penetrate deep into the lungs because they are so fine.

Beeswax has been used through the ages in candle-making. With the advent of paraffin candles which were cheap and easily available, beeswax became less popular. This has changed in recent years due to the fact that it is non-toxic and burns for a much longer period than paraffin. It has a pleasant aroma and helps to purify the air rather than pollute it.

A candle made with soy wax burns cleanly and purely. Soy is a biodegradable, soft wax. It is made from soybean oil which is a renewable resource. Spills of soy wax are easily cleaned with warm water and soap.

Candle wicks used to have lead cores and lead was released into the air as the candle burned. As lead poisoning is a concern, many countries have banned the use of lead in wicks. Natural wicks are made using cotton, recycled paper fiber or hemp.

Buying an eco friendly watch is another way of making a small change to the impact you make on the environment. These watches are made of natural materials and do not use mercury-based batteries. Natural wood watches are now available in trendy modern styles. These can be quite a conversation starter.

You do not have to go to extremes to go green. Buying eco friendly candles and other products is a simple way to make small changes to your lifestyle. All the small changes can make a big difference over all.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment