10 Candle Tips for Consumers

How To Minimize Indoor Pollution From Candles

Although candles create a warm, inviting feeling within the home during the holidays and throughout the year, there is research showing that candle usage can create problems for your home’s interior.

The following are tips to minimize candle pollution in your home:

Because many scented and slow burning candles may contain metals, consumers should look to see if the core of the wick is shiny metal. If you see metal, do not burn, or check with the manufacturer.

When you do burn candles, keep the wicks cut short to one-quarter of an inch. The longer the wick, the larger the flame, the brighter the candle, the more the soot.

Keep candles away from drafty places. Wind will blow soot and toxins into the air and cause inefficient burning, a cause of smoking or sooting.

Avoid putting small children directly on carpet. Lead and other pollutants from candles are attracted to synthetic fibers often used in upholstery and carpeting.

Refrain from burning scented or slow-burning candles that have additives. Look for candles, such as bees wax, that do not contain high levels of pollutants.

Keep your home clean. Vacuuming may just re-circulate particles unless you use high-performance vacuum bags that catch micro particles.

Use a good filtration system on your furnace that attracts micro particles. High performance furnace filters minimize the level of pollutants that circulate throughout your home. Changing filters more frequently will help reduce the amount of micro particles in the home.

Be aware of candles and holiday products that have been recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.