There's nothing better than walking into a room that smells like heaven. Whether it's the fresh scent of laundry, a blooming flower garden, or that crisp summer air, we all love that feeling that comes over us when we inhale our favorite smells...for a split second all of the busyness of the moment is forgotten and there is peace...then you're brought back to reality when you realize the ocean waves you were imagining was really your toddler dumping cups of water onto the kitchen floor.
But what do you do when you realize those amazing smells you're inhaling, also come with some pretty nasty side effects?
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Over time, I have been slowly purging mine and my families lives of the harmful toxins, chemicals and poisons that have overtaken our once healthy routines. Candles are just one of the hundreds of things I have replaced in our home. Other than the smell, that you think is a great smell, most candles are horrible to have around. The majority of candles sold in the US contain paraffin wax. And candles made in countries like China that have almost no health standards, are allowed to be sold here in the US regardless of our laws. So, you might want to think twice the next time you pick up that yummy apple cinnamon candle from the dollar store. Another thing to be aware of is the wick. Not too long ago, candle wicks were made with lead, and depending on where you get your candles, yours may contain lead.
Paraffin wax is a byproduct of petroleum. There are many chemicals and solvents used in making paraffin wax. It's also produces large amounts of black soot. Ever get that black ring around the rim of your candle jar? You know what I'm talking about, the one that looks like this:
Yeah.... imagine that in your lungs. Adverse reactions including nausea, vomiting, headaches or even benzene pollution that can lead to lung cancer can occur if you inhale paraffin fumes. Yikes! 😬
Not many people buy a candle just for the light, you buy it for the smell. What is that smell exactly? The majority of candles are scented with fragrance. Those fragrances are mostly synthetic chemicals. Same as in the air fresheners like Glade and Febreeze.
What are wax melts?
To simplify, wax melts are candles without the wick. The wax is usually a small cube or tart shape that can fit in the palm of your hand. The wax is placed on a potpourri warmer or tart burner, like the one seen below, and the underneath is heated with a tea light. I like this warmer because it goes nicely in any of my rooms, has a pretty design, enough room for your fingers to put the tea light in, lets off a decent amount of light and has a perfect size bowl for melting For The Love Of Honey's wax melts.
Why wax melts over candles?
Wax melts are relatively inexpensive. Compared to a $25 Yankee Candle, wax melts win based on cost.
If you are using an electric warmer like this one below that I use, you have the benefit of no flame. This can be extremely helpful if you have little ones around (or if you just don't trust yourself. Don't judge....some of us are just clumsy!) This specific electric warmer is handmade glass, so each one is a little different! It also doubles as a night light!
Wax melts are usually small, so they are easy to store away, and because there is no wick to burn, there is no soot.
If I shouldn't use a paraffin wax, what should I use?
Whether you want to keep the candle around, or switch to a warmer, there are three basic types of waxes to be aware of: Paraffin, which we talked about above, soy and beeswax.
Paraffin is out. (Double thumbs down)
Soy wax itself is natural. It is made from soybeans rather than a petroleum by-product. Soy is cheaper and some studies have been done that show that soy wax lasts longer than paraffin. However, soy candles can be processed with paraffin and they often contain fragrances and dyes. Also, the majority of soy we purchase here in the US is genetically modified and crops are sprayed with harmful chemicals and pesticides.So depending on where you get your soy candles, depends on if they are really good for you or not.
That leaves us with Beeswax.
Beeswax is the original candle wax. It has been a part of candle making for centuries. The ancient Egyptians, Romans, Greeks and Persians all had many uses for beeswax, candles being one of them. Beeswax is built up from the worker bees after eating the honey. The wax is used to build up the honeycomb where the colony lives. Beeswax has been found preserved in many different findings all over the world. It as an all natural product and is beneficial to individuals who practice a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle. No bees are harmed in the making of beeswax candles.
Because beeswax candles are all natural, they do not produce toxic byproducts and heavy soot when burned. Beeswax candles produce negative ions when burned, and those ions help to neutralize pollutants in the air. This helps eliminate dust, odors and mold in the atmosphere, easing allergy and asthma symptoms and improving breathing for anyone nearby!
Beeswax has a sweet and natural scent, not one that is overpowering like the synthetic fragrances in some candles, and it can aid in relaxation. All of these reasons is why I use beeswax to make my melts. Those and the fact that we own honey bees :-)
Beeswax For The Win!
If you are interested in our wax melts, click the picture of our wax melts at the bottom. You can also visit our website HERE for more information on our bees and all natural products!
For The Love Of Honey Wax Melts
I like to use these Beesworks Beeswax Pellets in my products (until our own beeswax is ready, I'll settle for this).
The pellets melt faster, as opposed to the bricks. They are 100% natural- pesticide and chemical free and the highest quality cosmetic grade beeswax. With Amazon Prime's free shipping, you cant beat the price!
I obviously had to get this amazing bee mold. If you know me, you know I'm not going to stick to the standard. Cubes are boring! This mold is really a cake mold, but the deepest part of the mold has nineteen, .5oz individual cells. Perfect for each wax melt!
For The Love Of Honey Wax Melts are either scented with 100% all natural essential oils or unscented. If you would like more information on some of the Young Living oils I use, click here. Or you can visit ARK Natural Essentials on Facebook.
Our wax melts come in a variety of scents. If you would like to request one that isn't listed please contact me at theluvofhoney@gmail.com and I would love to customize a scent for you!
Click HERE to see our whole line of natural bath and body products.
Bonus this month!
For a chance to win $20 towards ANYTHING you want from our shop, enter below! Good Luck!
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