One thing is clear - candlelight casts a beautiful light.
But not all candles are equally eco-friendly.
In fact, according to the National Candle Association, Paraffin is "by far the most frequently used candle wax on a worldwide basis today."
Paraffin wax comes from petroleum. More specifically, the online Encyclopedia Britannica explains that paraffin wax is "obtained from petroleum by dewaxing light lubricating oil stocks."
If you don't like the idea of burning petroleum-derivative candles in your bedroom, consider the recently introduced line of Elite Essentials candles from Wicks n' More.
Made with 100% sustainable and renewable Palm Oil wax, Elite Essentials candles are available in six different essential oil-infused varieties:
- Citrus and Thyme
- Lavender Balsam
- Wild Mint and Orange
- Kaffir Lime and Tangerine
- Lemon Verbena
- and Peppermint Eucalyptus
Elite Essentials candles also have 100% cotton wicks and are made in the U.S.A. A portion of the purchase price from every Elite Essentials candle goes to Sustainable Harvest International - an organization that works to prevent deforestation in Central America.Wikipedia has an extensive overview on palm oil, which is not only used in food products, but also in soaps and recently as a biofuel feedstock. From Wicks n' More's perspective, palm oil is a great renewable and sustainable resource. The company says it's possible to extract three times more palm oil than soy oil (another ingredient sometimes used in candle making) on a per-acre basis.
On the other hand, as Wikipedia points out, the rapid growth of palm oil plantations has created great concern in some quarters that rainforests are being cut down to plant more palm trees and that biodiversity is thus lost in the process.
One encouraging sign is that major food and personal care companies like Unilever are apparently trying to ensure that their palm oil comes from sustainable sources.
From a purely aesthetic standpoint, Elite Essentials candles look great. The off-white color of the candles showcases the crystalline texture of palm wax. Once you blow out the candle after letting it burn a little while, you'll see what looks like a little pile of crystals where the melted wax had pooled. The candles burn basically smoke-free with a steady, strong flame and a gentle scent. (Some people might wish for a bit stronger scent, while others will appreciate the subtlety.)
Note - After a couple weeks of intermittent testing, we had a slight 'meltdown' two nights ago. I don't have a heck of a lot of experience with large candles, so I'll rely on other candle afficionados to tell me if this is normal, but as the Elite Essentials candle burns down in the middle, it leaves a circular 'wall' of wax along the periphery. Well, that wall cracked a bit and spilled a little river of wax onto the plate we were using as a makeshift candleholder. No big deal. We cleaned up the wax pretty easily and then broke away the wall yesterday morning so that the candle once more has a flat surface on top. Other candle neophytes should be aware of this issue. And perhaps candle experts can tell me if I should have been breaking down the wall little by little after each burning? (Let me know if this verbal description is unclear and I'll try to post some explanatory photos...)
Update 8/1 - This article is now cited as a source in Wikipedia!
You can only purchase the Wicks n' More Elite Essential candles online at www.shopnaturalcandles.com. Prices start at just $3.99.
If you like to smell or feel candles before purchasing them, you could consider the Wicks n' More Reserve Collection Naturals. Sold in gift & boutique stores nationwide, the Reserve Collection uses the same palm wax as Elite Essentials. A portion of the sales price from the Reserve Collection also goes to support Sustainable Harvest.
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1 comments:
Hi Aaron,
Thank you for such an informative, well-researched review on our candles! Just wanted to help with the candle burning questions that you asked. These candle burning tips can be used by all candle lovers for all pillar candles.
#1 – Keep wicks centered and away from drafts when burning.
If a draft is present, this can cause the flame to burn more aggressively toward one side of the candle, creating too much heat. This could possibly lead to a crack or collapse on that side of the candle.
#2 ¬– Burn approximately one hour for each inch in diameter.
The outer wall of the candle keeps the melted wax pool inside, but if a candle is left burning too long, the heat will extend to the outer wall and crack or melt it. (paraffin wax would normally tend to melt, whereas palm wax is stronger, so it usually tends to crack instead). To extend the life of the candle, you would want to burn a 3” wide candle for approximately 3 hours, a 4” wide candle for 4 hours, etc. This is an average. Different conditions will always factor in, so it is best to always keep a close eye on the candle. In doing this, you will be able to judge when the wax pool is large enough that the candle should be blown out and allowed to cool down. A thin outer wall of the candle should be left behind as the candle burns down. This is normal, and not only helps keep the wax pool inside, but it also helps to create the soft flicking that most people desire when burning candles. I do not recommend trimming the candle wall unless it is cracked or becomes visually unappealing.
#3 – Never leave a burning candle unattended.
#4 – Extinguish and dispose of pillar candles when they have less than 2” left at the bottom.
When candles reach less than 2”, they should no longer be used as candles. You can throw them away, or more recycle them, as I like to do. I break my leftover candle into wax chips (discarding the wick remnant), and place the wax chips in a bowl or saucer, and use them to scent my closets. You can also place them in a small cloth or organza bag, and use them to scent dresser drawers. Or, if you have a wax melter, potpourri melter, etc., you can add the wax chips to them.
#5 – Keep burning candles out of the reach of children and pets.
Candles can evoke special memories, and enhance everyday life. They are a source of light and delight when used properly. By following the simple steps above, we can extend the life of our candles and ensure a safe and happy burning experience.
Thank you for the wonderful blog!
Tracey Powers
Wicks n' More
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