When you’ve had a long day at work, the first thing you want to do when you get home is kick off your shoes, pour a glass of wine, light some candles and take a bath. This relaxation routine has even been scientifically proven to help you overcome life’s hurdles by relieving muscle pain, improving blood flow, and soothing you to sleep. And would your relaxing routine be complete without the soft glow and ambiance of candles? Probably not, but maybe you should give it a try.
In recent years, more studies have been done analyzing the effects of the particulate matter that results from burning, almost anything in your home, whether that’s smoking cigarettes, burning sage, and incense or lighting your beloved candles.
Wax
The wax which makes up the bulk of the candle is usually made from paraffin, which is a petroleum byproduct. So every time you light your candles, this petroleum byproduct is circulated throughout your home for you to inhale.
Wick
While this isn’t as prominent of an issue anymore, the center of candle wicks used to be made with lead, surrounded by cotton. So, if you have any candles in your home that you’ve been saving in a cupboard for a rainy day, you might want to throw them out.
Alternatives
If you can’t stand not having candles in your life, then you might want to consider opting for a beeswax alternative. Because beeswax is a naturally occurring material, it will do less damage than its petroleum-based counterpart. Be careful, though; some candle manufacturers mix paraffin with beeswax in order to cut costs, so always read the labels closely.
If you’re looking for ways to improve your home’s indoor air quality, start with your candles, and then move to your HVAC unit. For information on how your air conditioner could be impacting your air quality, contact the experts at Variable Comfort Solutions.
