The Hidden Cost of Cheap Candles: What You Burn at Home Matters

The Hidden Cost of Cheap Candles: What You Burn at Home Matters

Lighting a candle at home is often associated with comfort, calm and warmth. But not all candles are created equal. Many inexpensive, mass-produced candles found in supermarkets may quietly compromise the air you breathe indoors — and potentially affect the health of your family and pets.

In this article, we explore how cheap candles impact indoor air quality, their possible effects on children and animals, and why choosing high-quality, natural candles is a more conscious choice, supported by research and expert insights.

How Bad Candles Affect Indoor Air Quality

Most low-cost candles are made from paraffin wax, a petroleum by-product. When burned, paraffin candles can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air — particularly in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces.

Studies have shown that burning paraffin-based candles may emit substances such as:

  • Benzene and toluene, chemicals linked to indoor air pollution

  • Black soot, which can settle on walls, furniture and lungs

  • Fine particles that linger in the air long after the candle is extinguished

Over time, exposure to these pollutants may contribute to headaches, throat irritation, allergic reactions and respiratory discomfort — especially in sensitive individuals.

Why Children Are More Vulnerable

Children breathe faster than adults and their lungs are still developing, which makes them more susceptible to airborne pollutants.

Research suggests that frequent exposure to synthetic fragrances and paraffin emissions may:

  • Trigger asthma-like symptoms

  • Increase allergy sensitivity

  • Disrupt sleep and concentration

For households with young children, limiting artificial scents and choosing cleaner-burning alternatives is strongly recommended by health professionals.

The Impact on Pets: A Often Overlooked Risk

Cats and dogs are particularly sensitive to airborne toxins. Their smaller lungs, heightened sense of smell and proximity to the floor mean they inhale a higher concentration of particles released from burning candles.

Certain synthetic fragrances and additives — including phthalates commonly found in cheap scented candles — have been linked to:

  • Breathing difficulties

  • Behavioural changes

  • Long-term organ stress, especially in cats

If you share your home with pets, what you burn matters just as much as what you feed them.

Why Natural, High-Quality Candles Are Worth It

Premium candles made with 100% natural soy wax or plant-based waxes offer a significantly cleaner burn.

Compared to paraffin candles, natural soy candles:

  • Produce far less soot

  • Burn at a lower temperature

  • Release fewer harmful emissions

  • Deliver a softer, more balanced scent throw

High-quality cotton or wooden wicks also play a crucial role, reducing the risk of toxic residue and uneven burning.

A More Conscious Choice for a Healthier Home

Candles are more than decorative objects — they directly influence the atmosphere of your living space. While cheap candles may seem appealing at first glance, their long-term impact on indoor air quality, health, and comfort often comes at a hidden cost.

Choosing candles made with natural waxes and thoughtfully sourced ingredients supports a cleaner home, a calmer environment and a more mindful lifestyle.

 

At Warm Warren London, our candles are hand-poured using 100% natural soy wax, premium fragrance oils and carefully selected cotton wicks — designed to burn cleanly, beautifully and safely in your home.

If you’re seeking a candle that brings warmth without compromise, explore our collection and experience the difference of conscious craftsmanship.

Because what you burn at home should feel as good as it looks.

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