How to make your home cozy with sustainable candles

Sustainability and coziness don’t have to be mutually exclusive. With sustainable candles, you can not only bathe your home in a warm light, but also make a contribution to protecting the environment. In this article, you’ll find out how to choose the right candles and beautify your home with them.

Many conventional candles are made of kerosene, a by-product of the petroleum industry. These candles release harmful substances when they burn and are neither environmentally friendly nor healthy. Sustainable candles, on the other hand, are made from natural materials such as soy wax, beeswax or rapeseed wax. They are biodegradable, pollutant-free and often even vegan.

Advantages of sustainable candles:

• Environmentally friendly: Made from renewable raw materials.
• Gentle on health: no harmful emissions when burning.
• Long-lasting: They often burn longer than conventional candles.

The best types of wax in comparison:

• Beeswax: Natural, very long burning time, characteristic honey scent; not vegan, ideal in natural quality.
• Soy wax: Vegan, long burning time, clean burning. Pay attention to certified, preferably European origin and GMO-free raw materials.
• Rapeseed wax: Regionally available in Europe, very good ecological balance, similarly clean burning behavior as soy.
• Coconut wax: Very clean burning and good fragrance carrier properties; pay attention to responsible sourcing.
• Vegetable stearin: Vegetable-based, hard and dimensionally stable, very clean burning and good fragrance release; ideal for scented, pillar and stick candles. Pay attention to transparent and responsibly certified raw material sources.

If you want to buy sustainable candles, pay attention to a few key criteria. Start with the wick: wicks made from cotton or wood are ideal. When it comes to fragrance, it is advisable to choose high-quality oils and responsibly composed fragrance blends. Especially in small, poorly ventilated rooms, it makes sense to avoid strong synthetic fragrances so as not to pollute the air unnecessarily.

Containers and packaging also give an indication of sustainability. Reusable jars are a good choice, as is packaging made from recycled cardboard – preferably without a plastic inlay. Also look out for transparent labels and clear information: The origin of the wax, references to manual work and production in small factories are positive signs of responsible manufacturing and short supply chains.

• Shorten the wick: Trim to 5-7 mm before each lighting – reduces soot and flame.
• Memory burn: The first firing session until the entire surface has melted (usually 2-3 hours) prevents tunneling.
• Avoid draughts: Otherwise the flame flickers, the candle soots and burns unevenly.
• Burning breaks: Maximum 3-4 hours at a time, then extinguish and allow to cool.
• Extinguishing: Use a candle snuffer or dip the wick into the wax (smokeless) instead of blowing it out.

If you want to get creative, you can make your own sustainable candles. All you need is: wax (e.g. soy wax or beeswax), a wick, an old glass or other heat-resistant mold, essential oils for the fragrance (optional).

1. 1. Melt the wax in a water bath.
   2. Attach the wick to the center of the glass.
   3. Carefully pour the melted wax into the jar.
   4. Let the candle cool down completely.

• In the living room: Place several candles of different sizes on a tray to create a cozy atmosphere.
• In the bathroom: use scented candles for a relaxing spa experience.
• In the bedroom: Use calming scents such as lavender to create a pleasant sleeping environment.

Sustainable candles are an easy way to make your home cozy and environmentally friendly. When buying, look for natural materials, plastic-free packaging and pollutant-free fragrances. Or get creative and make your own candles. Not only will you create a warm atmosphere, but you’ll also be doing something good for the environment.