What makes our Wood Wick Candles so Special?
Unique Wick Design
As you take a peek inside one of our special wood wick candles, you will actually notice a pure cotton wick right next to the wood wick. But why?
When we first started making wood wick candles, we had to educate our customers regarding how to properly light the wood wick and care for it as it burned. On average, a plain wood wick takes between 20-45 seconds of continuous lighting before it softens the wax enough to stay continuously lit.
With the invention of our pure cotton boosted wood wick, your candle will light as quickly as any cotton wick candle, and you will rarely if ever have to do any wick maintenance.
Wood Wick Advantages
But why wood wicks in the first place? We decided to stick with wood wick candles because we enjoy the crackling sound as it burns, the burn is much cleaner (no black smoke, heavy metals, etc.), the flame is broader and gives off more light, and it tends to burn all of the wax in your candle rather than just a hole down the center (tunneling). For you, that means a much longer burn time per candle and better value for the money.
Cleaner Fragrance (100% Phthalate-Free Candles)
Did you know that most scented candles (and scented cosmetic products for that matter) use fragrance oils that contain phthalates? Because phthalates are used in the fragrance manufacturing process, it never has to be placed on the label, but the health effects of phthalates will shock you including:
- Headaches
- Infertility
- Miscarriages
- Hormone Disruption
- Gestational Diabetes
Want to learn more? Check out our latest article regarding phthalates and how to avoid them. Out of respect for your family and ours, all of our candles have been specifically manufactured without the use of any phthalates.
Cleaner Wax
Did you notice that all of our wood wick candles are made with soy wax? That is because there really are only three clean waxes that can be used in candles: beeswax, palm wax, and soy wax. Beeswax tends to be very expensive and prevents the average American family from being able to afford clean candles. Palm wax wreaks havoc on the environment – especially the delicate rain forest and its ecosystem. Which leaves…Soy Wax. Affordable, clean, and allows the candle scent to travel very well.
So what’s wrong with the candles at the supermarket? They are made with paraffin wax. After being in the candle making business for several years, we have heard the horrors of paraffin wax. But first, how do you know if you have a paraffin candle?
99% of the time, a candle that does not mention the wax type (beeswax, palm wax, or soy wax) is a paraffin wax candle. Think Walmart, Tractor Supply, Bath & Body Works, Bed Bath & Beyond, etc.
What does paraffin wax do? It can kill an indoor bird like a parakeet in a matter of minutes. It produces considerably more soot than soy wax candles. It also has been proven to release cancer causing chemicals into the air when burned.
A 2010 study by Massoudi Ph.D. and Hamidi Ph.D. said, “Considerable adverse health effects including cancer, asthma, and dermatitis as a result of burning paraffin wax candles in enclosed limited areas have been reported. The chromatogram of emission products of paraffin based candles were tested for hazardous emissions. In support of published reports the petroleum based candles produced various alkanes, alkenes, toluene, benzene (a carcinogen) and some other chemicals whereas the soybean candle was completely clean.”
Note: carcinogens like benzene and toluene have been connected to cancer, asthma and birth defects. Ref
Sources:
Scented Candles as toxic as cigarettes
Benzene Cancer Risk by American Chemical Society
Excerpt: long-term exposure to benzene is harmful to bone marrow, which can cause the body to make fewer red blood cells, white blood cells, and blood platelets. Moreover, links have been found between benzene and leukemia.