“Clean” isn’t a regulated word for candles, so the label alone won’t always tell you much. Here’s what to look for instead. [Draft for review]
1. Know what the wax is
Look for a brand that tells you exactly which waxes are in the blend, and why. How a candle is formulated and wicked matters as much as which wax it uses.
2. Check the wick
Choose cotton or other lead-free wicks, sized to the vessel. A wick that’s too large burns hot and smoky; trim it to 1/4 inch before every burn.
3. Ask about the fragrance
Fragrance is where most of the ingredients hide. Look for brands that formulate to a published standard, leave out phthalates, and have their fragrance reviewed by a toxicologist.
If it’s leaving soot on your walls, it’s worth asking what it’s leaving in the air.
4. Watch how it burns
A well-made candle burns with a steady flame and leaves the glass clear. Black soot on the vessel or a flickering, smoking flame are signs of an incomplete burn.
5. Think about the vessel
A vessel made to be refilled means less waste, and a reason to choose quality once.
