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There is nothing I love more than walking into a house and smelling a yummy candle burning. I especially love fall and winter candles. They smell so cozy and welcoming. With that being said, I still decided to stop burning store bought candles in my house. This was a tough decision for me because I had, oh probably 20-25 candles and I didn’t want to waste them. So, what made me stop burning them? Well simply said, they are too toxic for me to allow around my family.
The candles I had were inexpensive paraffin candles that you could see the black smoke from the wick as they burned. Now, I know not all candles do this, but I knew this could not be good for us. After researching I found that the smoke emitted scented paraffin candles emit the same fumes as diesel exhaust. Some of these fumes are neurotoxins and carcinogens such as toluene and benzene, and hydrocarbons that are linked to asthma, allergies, and skin, eye and lung irritation. I am certainly not going to burn anything in the house that in confined and subject our health to it.
Shortly after I started using doTerra and I was diffusing more and more, the candle became such an obsolete part of my life that I had no excuse to keep them. So, into the trash they went. I loved that by diffusing I knew my family was getting pure benefits from the oils and there were no toxic fillers filling our lungs. There was no risk of them turning the diffuser over and getting burned either like they could with a candle or our home burning down! If they spilled he diffuser it’s not a big deal because it is water!
So, that is why I stopped burning candles. Now, almost 2 years after stopping, I am really missing the coziness of them and I really want to bring that feeling to my home like I remember from growing up. I started doing more research and I decided to make my own candles so that I can be in control of what goes in them and know that they are safe for my family!
There are two most popular types of homemade candles, soy and beeswax. Both of these burn at lower temperatures so they last longer. They can be scented with spices or essential oils and colored with natural food coloring. The most important thing that I found was the type of wick that is used. Most wicks are coated to help them light quicker. This coating is often paraffin. I found 100% natural cotton wicks that I used in my candles. They burn easily and do not have the coated that would release toxins. I am so excited to be burning these candles knowing that I am still not letting toxins in my home, not that we are 100% toxins free, but every effort helps! I want to share two of my favorite fall candle recipes that I made using my essential oils!
Pumpkin Spice
1 lb Pure beeswax
½ cup melted coconut oil
6 natural cotton wicks
18 drops of Clove doTerra Essential Oil
18 drops of Orange doTerra Essential Oil
12 drops of Cardamom doTerra Essential Oil
12 drops of Cassia doTerra Essential Oil
12 drops of Ginger doTerra Essential Oil
12 drops of Cinnamon Bark doTerra Essential Oil
Fall Bliss
1 lb Pure beeswax
½ cup melted coconut oil
6 natural cotton wicks
24 drops On Guard doTerra Essential Oil
24 drops Cinnamon doTerra Essential Oil
Keep an eye out for The Feathered Cottage Youtube video that shows how we make these! I loved making this video with my mom!
