Many of us have heard the old myths about candles.
You know the ones… “candle soot is bad for you“, “candle wicks have lead in them” etc etc….
Well, right here we’re going to talk about a few of these.
Myth 1
Candles Wicks Contain Lead.
In the 1970’s, members of the National Candle Association stopped using lead wicks due to the concerns that they could be harmful. Finally in 2003, the use of wicks containing lead was formally banned after the Environmental Protection Agency identified them as a public health concern.
There have been many recent scientific studies that have shown again and again that modern candle wicks are safe and definitely not toxic. So, it is safe to say that you don’t have worry about the harmful lead or other materials contained in modern candle wicks.
Myth 2
Candle Soot Is Harmful.
Candles produce a tiny amount of soot. Soot occurs as a byproduct of incomplete combustion and is not considered a health concern. It is similar to the soot given off by everyday items like toasters and cooking oils and is a completely different form of soot created by the burning of diesel fuel, coal, or gasoline.
You shouldn’t be worried about candle soot, however, there are ways to reduce the amount of soot from your candles. You can trim the wick to ¼ inch before every use to help produce the correct flame height. Also, if you place the candle away from drafty areas, this helps to reduce flame flickering. And another great tip is to make sure that the wax pool is free of debris.
Myth 3
Some Waxes Are Better Than Others.
While you may have heard that certain candle waxes burn “better” than other types, this is nothing but a rumour and good marketing on the part of many candle companies…
An international study was conducted on lots of different waxes including soy wax, paraffin wax, beeswax, and other commonly used waxes. The results showed that any well-made candle will burn the way it is expected to and should exhibit the same clean burning behaviour, posing no risk to human health or indoor air quality.
Myth 4
Scented Candles Are More Harmful Than Unscented Candles.
There are no known health hazards associated with scented candles, however, it is important to ensure the candles you burn are good quality and are made with fragrances that are safe and approved for use in candles.
The McKelvie Candle Company believe that using natural perfumes in place of synthesized perfumes is a great start to ensure the ultimate quality, so use natural perfumes whenever they can.
So, whether you’re burning scented or unscented candles, you can be assured that any well-made and properly burned candle will burn cleanly and safely.
So, there we have it! Just a few of the myths many people believe about candles finally put to bed…
If you want to share your opinion, or comment on this wee post, please do so below. We love feedback about our posts and things!
Now that we have put these myths well and truly in their box, maybe we should make a wee comment about the McKelvie Range, and why we stock them.
We believe McKelvie are the finest candles out there, and we are very proud to be their official online retailer.
From their bespoke premium wax mixes, to their beautiful real perfumes, and the 100% cotton wicks used in every candle, it’s easy to see why they are growing in popularity everyday and why so many people now only use McKelvie!
So, click the button below and have a wee nosey at the full range, and indulge in what can only be described as a fragrance experience.
