How to recognize a good quality candle

What is a good quality candle?

It is not without reason that scented candles are extremely popular, but how do you make a choice between all the brands on the market? The first step could be to choose a good quality candle! You want to know what you are paying for and you have the right to get the best that you buy. But how do you know if the candle is worth its price?

In this blog I will tell you how to recognize a good quality candle. Let's start with the basics.

How do you recognize a good quality candle?

Here are some tips to consider when choosing a candle:

  • type of wax used
  • type of fuse
  • kind of smell
  • traceable sources and safety standards
  • ethical and environmentally friendly approach
  • any burning hours stated
  • labels and safety warnings
  • operating and maintenance instructions
  • scent release
  • candle maker (look who's behind it)

It may seem like a lot, but in the end it all comes down to some simple knowledge, and once you know it, you know it forever. The more of the points from the list above that meet expectations, the better. Actually, they should all meet expectations. If you have questions, you should also be able to contact the owner with 1 click and ask questions.

But first:

Are cheap candles bad?

Yes. There are many cheap scented candles on the market and they are almost never good quality products. Mass production with cheap, chemical by-products, often from unknown sources, and very often made by underpaid people in a violent environment. And if you think that these people would otherwise not have a job, that is fine. But this is about your health because, cheap candles emit toxic fumes and carcinogens due to the excessive use of chemicals, synthetics and artificial by-products. They are harmful to your health (they can cause allergies and lung diseases). The only people who really profit from them are the owners of large companies.

A good quality candle cannot be too cheap, because it implies that the ingredients used to make it must be of poor quality. And good quality is expensive to buy.

What are the characteristics of a good candle?

If you want to recognize the quality of a candle, you must take all these factors into account.

  • type of wax - what kind of wax did the company use in the candle: paraffin, beeswax, soy (or other vegetable) wax, or maybe a blend? If you look at the label or description and only see information about "wax blend" then you probably shouldn't buy it. Who knows what's really in there? Because a blend could be anything. If you're looking for a high-quality candle, skip the paraffin candles. Yes, they're cheap and you can even get them at the grocery store (although there are more expensive paraffin brands). But that's not good at all. The best candles are those made from vegetable waxes, such as soy wax, because they are ethical (vegan and cruelty-free) and have a lower impact on the environment, but also because they are not harmful to your health and simply smell better .

  • Wick type - generally there are two most popular types of wicks: cotton and wood. The type and size of wick used in a particular candle can be crucial to its performance. The ones to avoid are mass produced wire wicks, as they contain various micro metals including zinc. This is to make the wicks stiffer and straighter, but it is simply unhealthy and unnecessary. The best wicks are handmade cotton wicks , using ethically sourced organic cotton. Wooden wicks are also eco-friendly, but the flame can be difficult to maintain.

  • type of scent - Scented candles can be made with essential oils, fragrance oils, and synthetic perfumes. Although essential oils are 100% natural and plant-based, they tend to be very expensive and not always safe in a candle. There are only a certain number of scents that can be extracted this way. Premium grade oils contain both natural and synthetic ingredients. Synthetic perfumes, on the other hand, are artificially created using chemicals; this method is the cheapest way to create an imitation of almost any scent. Premium grade oils tend to smell the best. They are specially prepared to bond with wax in the most optimal way and have the best scent release. The best smelling candles are usually soy candles with premium fragrance oils which is what we use at Zentao. Read our article on the differences between essential oils and fragrance oils for more information.

 

  • Traceable sources and safety standards - It's good to know where the products you use come from. Candle makers can get their supplies from many different wholesalers and it's good if it's possible to trace them. Most products have certain safety regulations that must be adhered to. Like with candle fragrances. Every fragrance oil should have an IFRA certificate stating what it can be used for safely. The certificate guarantees that the fragrance was produced in a process that meets industry standards . It's also good to know if the fragrances and other ingredients in your candle are vegan, cruelty-free , sourced from fair trade companies, etc. For example, soy wax it's important to check if it's GMO free . To ensure the best quality, at Zentao we only use 100% GMO free soy wax that is produced in Europe.

  • ethical and eco-friendly approach - as above, an overall ethical approach to the brand counts for a lot. Why would you want to deal with a company that abuses human labor or makes animals suffer for a product, when there are so many ethical, kind, local makers who care and want to make a difference? There are plenty of vegan and cruelty-free brands that have a planet-friendly ethos, partnering with fair trade , eco-friendly companies and taking care to maintain the high standards of their products.

  • scent release - this is of course very important with a scented candle: a perfect scent release. You can recognize a good quality candle by its scent. It is all about the balanced scent release. You may think that the stronger the scent, the better, but that is not the case. A strong scent can cause headaches and nausea; it can also make you tired. The best scented candles smell just right. They release scent slowly and in a balanced way . It is easily noticeable, but it is not overpowering, not dominant. It should linger in the air for a while after you have blown out the candle.

  • Burn quality - it is crucial to candle performance. A good burn quality means that the wick is the right size for the diameter of the candle and gives a nice steady flame , that is not too high or jumpy. The wax should melt all the way to the edges after a few 4 hour burns, so that the sides of the jar/jar remain clean. Candles should burn slowly and steadily and flames should not produce smoke. Note: don't forget to trim the wick before each burn! If you don't keep the wicks short, you can't blame the candle company for a poor burn quality.

  • labels and safety warnings - every candle label should contain the most important information about the product. In addition to the company name, the type of wax used should also be stated somewhere on the label (front or bottom). Every candle should also have a safety warning sticker with basic safety information + fragrance info. And if necessary a UFI number.

  • Instructions for use and care - separate care and safety instructions for candles are also a good addition. This way, customers know how to get the most out of their candles and enjoy them the most. These instructions can usually be clicked through on the website and/or you will receive an extra card with them.

  • Business or candle maker - who are the people behind your candles? Small to medium sized businesses usually care most about the quality of their products and the customers. They have a more personal approach because they don't lose it in a mass production process. Like Zentao; for personal advice or all questions about candles or special orders, you can always contact them.

We hope this article helps you to recognize a good quality candle in a rather large candle market. Your daily choices really matter, so choose wisely!

It's a bit like puppy mills for dogs and cats. Separate the wheat from the chaff.