Why Homemade Candles Are Better for the Environment

As Autumn comes into the swing with winter fast approaching, temperatures drop, rain increases and sometimes all we want to do is be warm inside. For an easy and fun way to encourage this feeling, give our candle making classes in London a try. Now that restrictions are easing and going out has become more of a reality, now's the perfect time to make use of your free time crafting something that's good for the environment (and for your soul).

What better way to create an ambient mood indoors, unwind and ritualise a bit of self-care and comfort than by lighting a scented candle? If you’re looking for things to do on a rainy day at home, why not switch to homemade candles, and book an online craft class and have a soy candle making kit delivered to your door!
 

How candles harm the environment

Much to our despair, increasing research has shown that candles could be harming the environment as well as causing damage to our bodies, due to dangerous toxins they can release. Most scented candles contain paraffin wax, which is a by-product derived from harsh products like petroleum, a non-renewable material. Part of the ongoing global reliance on fossil fuels, it is ultimately driving climate change and is not sustainable. 

When burnt, it can release up to 11 toxic compounds into the air, including acetone, benzene and toluene - all known carcinogens, which are linked to cancer. Some reports say that breathing them in is as bad for your health as second-hand smoke.

As well as this, if the scent is not made with natural fragrances, this means it is usually synthetic. Artificial dyes and fragrances mean you are once again exposed to dangerous toxins and chemicals. The black soot left behind can also irritate your lungs, and some wicks may contain lead and zinc. Even the packing can be an environmental concern, candles usually being individually wrapped in plastic and packaged in paper, resulting in non-recyclable waste.

Why you should make the switch to homemade candles

Fear not, we want you to still be able to enjoy candles, and thankfully not all candles are harmful, especially homemade candles. By making the switch to homemade candles, you can help reduce toxins to the environment and benefit your own health. Not only this, it makes the perfect activity for what to do when bored at home. 

Candle making at home also means avoiding the hefty prices that natural candles are often sold for on the high street. Candle making kits also spare you the hassle and time of religiously checking the list of ingredients or being fooled by false ‘natural’ claims. Apparently, candle companies only need to include 51 percent of natural ingredients to call the product natural, meaning the rest is usually synthetic, and therefore toxic. If we sacrifice the cost and convenience of inexpensive candles, we can put our health and the environment first, as well as exercise creativity. 

Grab yourself a soy candle making kit!

Candle kits are a fun, reliable way to make sure you are saving the environment and yourself! The aim is to minimise the release of harsh toxins in your home and express your creativity. An eco-friendly, biodegradable alternative to high street candles are homemade soy wax candles. 

Soy wax candles, made from soybean oil, a renewable source, are non-toxic, and burn in a clean way, avoiding soot. They also save you money because they burn at a lower temperature and therefore take longer to burn than regular paraffin candles, all whilst avoiding the release of harmful chemicals. 

They’re just as beautiful and are easy to make, and you know exactly what is in them. Soy candles are also vegan! The number of people living a vegan lifestyle is certainly on the rise, soy candles are the best vegan option when it comes to homemaking kits. Another environmentally friendly alternative is candles made from beeswax, however since this is obviously an animal-derivative it is not vegan, making soy candles a better, also cheaper, alternative.

To discover more about candle making kits, click here! 

If you want a more guided approach to begin your illuminating journey, we have a whole host of London candle-making workshops to choose from to get you started. Run by local artisans and crafters, these creative classes are starting to pop up all over the city, from the iconic surroundings of the Strand to cosy studios in the East End. They're a brilliant way to kickstart this meditative and eco-friendly hobby, or even if you're just looking for fun things to do in London.

Let your creativity run wild!

Making your own candles can be as simple or complex as you like, there are no rules to what you can and can’t do. Candle companies can’t cater to everyone’s needs, whereas making your own candle is a great way to experiment! The possibilities are endless, and candle making kits are a great way to start. It might be a bit messy but is also incredibly relaxing. 

Why not try aromatherapy by using aromatic smells to make the experience more mindful by engaging your senses? Scents like lavender and bergamot derived from essential oils are perfect for this, as well as being a natural and not synthetic ingredient. 

Tailor the candle however you want, whether it’s in an old mug, or an old jar, by upcycling everyday household items you are reducing plastic waste and bettering the environment. This activity even reduces pollution from transporting candle goods across the country or world. Moreover, who doesn’t love the pride of making something yourself, unique to you?  

Lighting candles is a great way to de-stress, so what could be better than continuing to do this in a way that doesn’t harm the environment and allows you to be creative? Enjoy the seasonal and year-long flickering glow of candles without any ethical guilt! Let candles be an environmentally sound method of using less electricity and bringing warm light, as well as being created sustainably.

Whether it’s for you or a gift, candle making is extremely rewarding and fulfilling. Candles are a must for the home and are useful for a variety of occasions, and are very versatile as far as home decor items go. They transform a space, create atmosphere and will even save you if there’s a power cut! 

Buying supplies in bulk will save you money in the long run, and who knows, after making your own DIY candle, you might gain the confidence to sell them! Most importantly, you can let your mind be at peace knowing there are no harmful toxins in the air around you after lighting them. If this sounds up your street, a soy candle making set is perfect for you.