Candle is not the same candle
Especially in the Christmas period, but also under the year for the candlelight dinner, the candlelight purchases lure me to create an atmospheric atmosphere. Meanwhile, I have a large collection of new candles, but also half-burned pillar candles, rod or motif candles. Some of them are burning evenly, others are crumbling and smoking hard. By all appearances: candle is not the same candle.
These materials are mainly used
When buying candles, we usually encounter candles made of paraffin. Made from petroleum Paraffin candles anything but an eco-hit, but the candles are relatively cheap to have. If you see a candle with a crystalline structure in front of you, this is one Stearin candle, It is found more and more often, it is priced slightly above the paraffin candle. It is made from palm or coconut oil. Will be happy here with the addition? Renewable resource? advertised. Considering that this tropical rainforests are cleared, it is worth taking a closer look: The RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certification certifies a sustainable supply chain.
Beeswax is often imported
Candles off beeswax always remind me of my grandmother's warm room. Engaged in fine paper, she had always stowed hand-drawn pointed candles in the closet and we were pleased with the fine fragrance and the dark yellow color. For the production of one kilogram of beeswax 150,000 bees are busy. The wax is in demand for ointments and lotions in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. So it is not surprising that for beeswax foreign markets from the Far East have to be used. In terms of price, beeswax candles must be used much deeper into the bag than for paraffin or stearin candles.
Discover beeswax candles in local markets
I receive my beeswax candles from the beekeeper at the weekly market. His handmade beeswax candles not only smell great, their craftsmanship is a real treat for the eye. The aromatic candles are not allergenic and are recommended by the American Lung Association for asthmatics and allergy sufferers. Among the beeswax candles you have to look, there are also industrially manufactured. They lose color and fragrance during manufacture and are then artificially added. At Christmas markets you will surely come across both ways.
Scented candles are tempting
First of all, the anti-tobacco candle does not encourage you to quit smoking. But tobacco smoke is not tempting and that is the purpose of a scented candle: it provides a fresh, or floral, maybe sweet or spicy fragrance. The manufacturers also like to come up with sensual names like "Lotus Secret"? or? Velvet Rose ?. And sometimes enough already? Anti-tobacco ?,? Vanilla? or "cinnamon" to make us decide to buy.
Ventilate well after using scented candles
The Federal Environment Agency generally warns against the regular use of fragrances and flavorings. In addition to contact allergies irritation of the respiratory tract or headache may occur. If you do not want to give up scented candles and still want to keep a few tips in mind, then air well after use and make sure that you keep the unused candles locked. Children under the age of three should not be scented at all.
That happens when burning
At candle night the air in the room is mostly used up. The oxygen is absorbed not only by you and your guests, but also by the burning candle. Every now and then airing helps to lower the CO2 concentration and to deduct possible pollutants from inferior candles. The candle should not stand in the drafts, because then it starts to flicker and to sneeze. You also have to fight with soot formation if the wick is too long. As soon as you trim it to about an inch, the soot stops again.
Which candles are the best?
For the environment, it is obvious: a stearin candle with RSPO certificate or with organic seal and the real beeswax candles cut off best. The European Candlestick Association has dispelled the prejudice that paraffin candles roar more than stearin candles. Quality candles, no matter from which source material, burn sootless.
It shows a high quality candle
It would be easy to say, you recognize the price, because a price comparison is difficult at first with candles, which often have no marking. A high-quality candle you recognize the RAL quality seal. Here, the candle is checked for its behavior when burning. Strongly soot and dripping she must not. Harmful substances, such as those found in paints, varnishes or fragrances, are a no-go to obtain the seal. So far, 70 percent of the candles in the German market carry the quality mark.
Weight is also a criterion
In my smorgasbord of candles there are heavyweights, which are characterized by dense wax. An important criterion for good burning. The lightweights in my collection are made of paraffin granules and mixed with air bubbles to save on wax.Sometimes you can see that when you look at the bottom of the candle. If it looks very coarse-grained, you should use the candle only for decoration.
The good ones in the potty?
Conclusion for me: In the future, I make sure that the candle bears the RAL quality mark. The higher price, I do not scare, because with the cheaper candles I do not abuse because of their oblique decay, nothing is saved. So: the good ones in the shopping cart, the bad ones in the little head.
