Clean-Burning Candles: Why I Made the Switch

A journey to clean living... and cleaner burning

When I first became pregnant with my daughter, something shifted.
I’d always been interested in clean living, but pregnancy made me take it seriously. Suddenly, I was hyper-focused on what I ate, breathed in, and brought into my home.

The first thing to go? Changing the litter box.
I love my cats, but there was no way I would expose my baby to ammonia.
(I happily pushed that chore off to my husband!)

During my quest to clean up every corner of my life, my husband declared that we were no longer lighting candles because he heard they could release toxins into the air.

At first, I didn’t want to believe him.
I was already giving up wine and French cheese.
Now I have to give up candles, too?

But when I looked into it myself, I realized he was right.
Most store-bought candles (especially cheaper ones) are made with paraffin wax, a petroleum byproduct that can emit chemicals like benzene and toluene, the same compounds found in car exhaust fumes!

This was an obvious red flag — but as someone who lives for the small, meaningful ritual of lighting a candle, I wasn’t ready to let it go.

I knew there had to be a better way, so I did some research and started crafting my own, eco-conscious candles.

The Problem with Conventional Candles

Paraffin wax is still widely used in the candle industry because it’s inexpensive and easy to work with. But, when burned, they release chemicals like benzene and toluene into the air. These are the same compounds found in car exhaust, classified as carcinogens by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Some candles also use metal-core wicks to hold their shape. While lead-core wicks have been banned in many places, some still use zinc or other metals, which can release trace amounts of heavy metals when burned.

Lighting a candle should create a feeling of comfort, not compromise your air quality.

Choosing a Cleaner Alternative

When I started crafting my own candles, I chose a different path.
At Home Alchemy, every candle is:

- Hand-poured with a plant-based blend of soy and coconut wax,
- Made with cotton, linen, or wooden wicks — never metal,
- Scented with vegan, phthalate-free, and paraben-free fragrance oils.

Each candle is crafted intentionally to create a softer, safer, more mindful experience.

So, you can keep the ritual of lighting candles without compromising the health of your home.

Why It Matters

Scent has an incredible ability to shift a mood, evoke a memory, and soften a space.
Those small, meaningful moments deserve to be fully enjoyed.

Home Alchemy was born from the desire to preserve that ritual —
to make candles that feel good to burn, in every sense.

Each candle I pour here in Haarlem is created with care, purpose, and, (I like to think) a little bit of magic. Shop my collection of eco-conscious candles here.

Sources

- EPFL, Are candles toxic to indoor air quality? (2023)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), CANDLES AND INCENSE AS POTENTIAL SOURCES OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
- NPR, Candlelight: A Dash Of Toxin With Your Romance?
- Happy Wax: 4 Reasons to Choose Soy Wax Over Paraffin Wax
-ECI Comfort: The Dangers of VOCs in Candles and 6 Healthier Alternatives for a Fresh Home