There’s nothing quite like burning a cozy candle once the temperatures start dropping! Candles are a perfect gift, and a great inexpensive way to make your space feel warm and inviting. But if you’re working toward adding more sustainable, non-toxic items to your home, then you might start looking at the labels of traditional candles a little more closely.
While many fall candles feature naturally occurring scents like warm vanilla, fragrant spices, and musky earth, the origins of those scents are often synthetic versions of their natural counterparts.
The good news? You don’t have to give up on all those delicious fall candle scents–there are so many natural, non-toxic options with plant-based waxes that give you the same potent scent with a cleaner burn.
Here’s what to look out for when shopping for all natural candles, why soy wax candles are such a popular alternative, and some of our favorite ways to bring the scents of autumn into your home.
What Makes a Candle Natural and Non-Toxic?
Conventional candles are traditionally made with paraffin wax and synthetic fragrance blends. Candles made from naturally derived wax like beeswax, soybeans, and coconuts are common options for more natural candle wax alternatives!
We’re here to share some more natural alternatives, and what other eco-friendly and sustainable benefits you’ll be able to enjoy when you shop candles from EarthHero.
Look for Plant-Based Wax
Wax is the main ingredient in your candles, so you want to be sure it’s sourced in a way you trust. Look for a plant-based wax for a more non-toxic option for your fall candle haul. The most common plant-based waxes are soy, beeswax, and coconut wax. You’ll often find these materials used either alone or mixed to create a long-lasting, clean-burning candle.
Wildwood Candle Co. is a great example of a company who uses a soy and coconut wax blend for its candles, along with a wooden wick and reusable glass container. Eco-friendly and sustainable all around!
Pay Attention to Fragrance
We can’t talk about fall candles without discussing fragrance! Looking beyond just the scent, and taking a deeper dive into the ingredients is the best way to ensure you’re on the right track when it comes to a natural candle option.
What to look for when it comes to candle fragrance:
- Naturally derived essential oils
- Phthalate-free
- Cruelty free
Don’t Forget the Wick and Container
Many natural candles use either a cotton-core wick, or a wood wick. Burning any kind of wick will naturally produce that black soot, but knowing that the candles are scented naturally can help reduce risk of harmful chemicals.
When it comes to containers, look for plastic-free tins or glass jars for your candles. Glass jars can be reused or recycled once you’ve finished them, or you could even make your own candles to refill them. The amber, apothecary-inspired glass jars used by P.F. Candle Co are especially aesthetic.
Cleaned candle containers make for great storage for small household items like office supplies, bathroom essentials, and more.
Why Should You Choose Soy Wax Candles?
Soy wax is plant-based and made from soybeans, while conventional paraffin wax is petroleum-derived. For anyone trying to reduce their use of petroleum-based products around the home, soy wax can be a simple alternative.
Soy wax also tends to burn more slowly than paraffin wax, which can help you get more use out of your candle. Keep in mind, however, the total burn time will vary depending on the candle's size, wick, formulation, and how burn it (more on that later).
Soy vs. Paraffin Wax
The biggest difference between the two kinds of candle wax comes down to what they're made from.
Paraffin wax comes from refined petroleum, while soy wax is derived from soybeans. That makes soy wax a renewable, plant-based option for shoppers looking to move away from petroleum-derived products.
Just remember that the wax isn't the only thing that matters when choosing a candle. A soy wax base is a great place to start, but you should still consider the fragrance, wick type, product packaging, and overall ingredients when deciding which candle is right for you.
Cozy Fall Candle Scents You’ll Love
The best part about choosing the right candles for your home is picking out your scent profile! Are you more of a sweet scent person, who wants your home to smell like a bakery?
Or maybe you prefer the smell of fresh, crisp rain.
Pumpkin spice may get most of the attention once September rolls around, but there's an entire world of fall-inspired fragrance beyond pumpkin. Think warm vanilla, crisp evergreens, smoky woods, earthy herbs, and the scent of a forest after the weather starts to cool.
Warm and Cozy
Picture this: you’re reading a book in a dimly lit, cozy library that smells of teakwood and tobacco. That’s the vibe you’ll get with the P.F. Candle Co. Soy Candle, layered with rich leather and orange. All P.F. Candle Co Soy Candles are handmade with 100% vegan non-toxic soy wax in California.
If you’re looking for that classic bakery feel, Esas Beauty has some gorgeous fall scents including that beloved pumpkin spice paired with vanilla, and a cinnamon & cider inspired fall candle.
Shop the Pumpkin Spice & Vanilla Candle
Woodsy Fall Scents
If you’re looking for natural candles that make you feel like you’re enjoying a long October stroll, look for the following scent profiles:
- Pine
- Cedar
- Birch
- Cypress
- Teakwood
- Musk
Wildwood Candle Co. features lots of fresh, green scents like The Aspen Soy Candle, inspired by Portland’s Forest Park. These woodsy scent profiles are perfect for bedrooms, living spaces, offices, and kitchens.
This woman-owned business uses high-quality fragrance oils, a crackling wood wick, and up to 60 hours of burn time.
Fresh and Herbal Fall Scents
Inspired by wild herbs and apothecaries, these scents are the perfect way to connect with nature, providing a versatile scent anywhere in your home. If you’re a big fan of cooking with fresh herbs or even growing them in your garden, these scents are for you!
Enjoy an aromatic, earthy blend of lemon balm, crushed thyme, orange rind, and fir with this Wild Herb Tonic Soy Candle that will bring comfort to any room or surface.
How to Make Your Fall Candles Last Longer
Taking proper care of your natural candles is easy, and allows you to get the most fragrant scent and burn time out of them.
Be sure to always check and follow the specific candle maker’s instructions for their suggestions–most often regarding trimming or caring for the wick.
And of course, be sure to always practice candle safety. Burn candles on stable, flat surfaces, do not disturb them while they are lit, and always allow candles to cool completely before disturbing them.
To make a natural soy wax candle last longer, be sure to burn it for as long as it takes for the entire surface to melt down. If you only let the inner “ring” of the candle burn, this can cause tunneling, where the outer surface of the candle wasn’t allowed to melt down, and you won’t be able to get the full use out of your candle!
FAQs about Soy Wax and Natural Candles
What Makes a Candle Natural and Non-toxic?
- Phthalate free
- Paraben free
- NO paraffin wax
- Natural fragrance (essential oils)
What Are Natural Candle Wax Ingredients?
- Soy wax (from soybeans)
- Coconut Wax
- Beeswax
How Can I Make My Candles Last Longer?
- Trim the wick before first use
- Trim the wick after each use
- Allow the entire surface of the candle to melt before blowing out the wick
- Do not disturb candles when they are lit
