National Candle Association Of America

Facts & Figures

Candle-User Preferences

Consumers are increasingly purchasing candles as a focal point for their home decor, and for aromatherapy-like relaxation and stress reduction. Fragrance is by far the most important characteristic impacting candle purchases today, with three-fourths of candle buyers saying it is "extremely important" or "very important" in their selection of a candle. The majority of U.S. consumers use their candles within a week of purchase. Nine out of ten candle users say they use candles to make a room feel comfortable or cozy. Candle users say they most frequently burn candles in the living room (42%), followed by the kitchen (18%) and the bedroom (13%). Approximately one in five women say they use candles to decorate the yard, patio or other exterior areas, as well as the interior of their home. Both men and women consider candles to be an always-acceptable and highly appreciated gift for a wide variety of occasions. Candle purchasers say they view candles as an appropriate gift for the holidays (76%), as a house warming gift (74%), a hostess/dinner party gift (66%), a thank you (61%) and as adult birthday gifts (58%).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are candles so popular?
Candles are perhaps one of the most enjoyable and affordable luxury items available to everyone. They are beautiful and magical. They can create a special warmth and ambiance.infuse the home with color and fragrance and the softness of candlelight. and bring a special sense of calm and well-being.

How are candles made?
Although modern technology has introduced greater efficiencies and quality control in candle-making, most candles are made through the timeless process of placing a cotton wick into wax, which is then molded, dipped, extruded, pressed, rolled, drawn or filled into a desired shape and size.

How many types of candles are there, and what are the typical ingredients?
A candle consists primarily of wax and a wick. Candles may also contain colorants, fragrances and minor additives. The basic candle types are tapers, votives, pillars, jar or container candles, tealights, gels, floating candles, outdoor candles, novelty candles, utility candles, and birthday candles.

What sort of chemical reaction occurs when a candle burns?
When you light a candle, the heat of the flame melts the wax near the wick. This melted or liquid wax is then drawn up into the wick by capillary action. The flame's heat vaporizes the liquid wax to produce water vapor and carbon dioxide (the same byproducts that humans produce when exhaling).

What kinds of waxes are typically used in candles?
The most commonly used candle wax is paraffin. Beeswax, vegetable-based waxes, gels, and synthetic waxes are also frequently used in candles. Different blends of these waxes are popular with many manufacturers.

Are certain candle waxes better than others?
No. All types of candle waxes perform well, and will burn cleanly and safely when they are of high quality. U.S. candle manufacturers select waxes or blends of waxes based on their suitability for specific types of candles or formulation profiles, as well as their own candle-making preferences.

What causes a candle to smoke, and what can I do to correct it?
A well-made candle will create virtually no smoke when burning properly. However, if the wick becomes too long, or an air current disturbs the flame's teardrop shape, small amounts of unburned carbon particles (soot) will escape from the flame as a visible wisp of smoke. Any candle will soot if the flame is disturbed. To avoid this, always trim the wick to ¼ inch before every use and be sure to place candles away from drafts, vents or air currents. If a candle continually flickers or smokes, it is not burning properly and should be extinguished. Allow the candle to cool, trim the wick, make sure the area is draft free, then re-light.

Is candle soot harmful?
No. The minuscule amount of soot produced by a candle is the natural byproduct of incomplete combustion. Candle soot is composed primarily of elemental carbon particles, and is similar to the soot given off by kitchen toasters and cooking oils. These everyday household sources of soot are not considered a health concern, and are chemically different from the soot formed by the burning of diesel fuel, coal, gasoline, etc.

Are scented candles safe?
Yes. When a candle burns, the wax is drawn into the wick, where it is "consumed" by the candle flame to produce water vapor and carbon dioxide. The only difference with a scented candle is that a small amount of fragrance is released as well. Reputable candle manufacturers use only fragrances that are approved for burning in candles. They also carefully monitor the addition of fragrance to ensure that the candle will burn cleanly and properly.

Is my candle biodegradable?
Studies have shown that beeswax, paraffin and vegetable-based waxes are biodegradable. The vast majority of candles today are made primarily from these waxes.

Should I be concerned about lead wicks in candles?
The likelihood of purchasing a lead-wicked candle in the U.S. is low. Lead wicks have been officially banned in the United States since 2003, and before then they were primarily limited to inexpensive imported candles.

Is paraffin wax toxic?
No. Paraffin wax is non-toxic. In fact, paraffin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in food, cosmetics, and medical applications. Food-grade paraffin is commonly used for manufacturing candles.

Are scented candles triggers for asthma or allergies?
Although millions of Americans regularly use scented candles without any negative effects, it is always possible that a particular fragrance might trigger a negative reaction in sensitive individuals. Individuals with known sensitivities to specific fragrances may want to avoid candles of those scents. In addition, consumers should remember to burn all candles, whether scented or unscented, in a well-ventilated area.

Are scented candles safe?
Yes. Decades of research and a history of safe use in the marketplace support the safety of fragrances in candles. A well-made candle produces water vapor and carbon dioxide when properly burned; the only difference with a scented candle is that a small amount of fragrance is also released. Reputable candle manufacturers use only fragrances approved for candle use, and test their candles to ensure a clean and proper burn.

Are the fragrances used in scented candles tested for health effects and safety?
Health and safety studies are conducted for fragrance materials, including toxicological and dermatological tests. The Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) tests individual fragrance materials, develops testing protocols, and collects fragrance safety data from around the world. RIFM submits its finding to the International Fragrance Association, which establishes safety guidelines and standards for fragrance manufacturers worldwide.

Do scented candles emit dangerous amounts of toxic pollutants into the air?
No. A properly-formulated candle, whether scented or unscented, will primarily produce water vapor and carbon dioxide when burning correctly. While microscopic amounts of organic compounds or special ingredients used to formulate a particular scented candle may be released when a candle is burned, they are too minimal to pose a health risk. No candle wax has ever been shown to be toxic or harmful to human health. There is no such thing as a soot-free wax. All organic compounds when burned will emit some carbon (soot) due to incomplete combustion. Sooting is primarily a factor of wick length and disturbance of the flame's steady teardrop shape.

Reputable candle manufacturers use only high-quality waxes in t Are certain candle waxes better than others?
No. All types of candle waxes perform well, and will burn cleanly and safely when they are of high quality. U.S. candle manufacturers select waxes or blends of waxes based on their suitability for specific types of candles or formulation profiles, as well as their own candle-making preferences.

Is paraffin wax toxic?
No. Paraffin wax is non-toxic. In fact, paraffin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in food, cosmetics, and medical applications. Food-grade paraffin is commonly used for manufacturing candles.

What causes a candle to smoke, and what can I do to correct it?
A well-made candle will create virtually no smoke when burning properly. However, if the wick becomes too long, or an air current disturbs the flame's teardrop shape, small amounts of unburned carbon particles (soot) will escape from the flame as a visible wisp of smoke. Any candle will soot if the flame is disturbed. To avoid this, always trim the wick to ¼ inch before every use and be sure to place candles away from drafts, vents or air currents. If a candle continually flickers or smokes, it is not burning properly and should be extinguished. Allow the candle to cool, trim the wick, make sure the area is draft free, then re-light.

Is candle soot harmful?
No. The minuscule amount of soot produced by a candle is the natural byproduct of incomplete combustion. Candle soot is composed primarily of elemental carbon particles, and is similar to the soot given off by kitchen toasters and cooking oils. These everyday household sources of soot are not considered a health concern, and are chemically different from the soot formed by the burning of diesel fuel, coal, gasoline, etc.

Are candles made with "natural" ingredients or essential oils safer?
A natural ingredient, as opposed to a manufactured or synthesized ingredient, is not necessarily any safer. In fact, scores of natural ingredients are known to be extremely toxic to humans in very small amounts. NCA members are committed to manufacturing candles that use ingredients known to be safe and approved for use in candles, whether "natural" or synthesized.

Is my candle biodegradable?
Probably. Studies have shown that beeswax, paraffin and vegetable-based waxes are biodegradable. The vast majority of candles today are made primarily from these waxes.

Are vegetable-based waxes water soluble?
No. By definition, a wax is not soluble in water. heir formulations.

What should I know about using candles safely?
Candles are safe when burned properly, responsibly and according to manufacturer directions. When burning candles, consumers should follow these basic safety rules:

• Keep lighted candles within your sight. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire.
• Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
• Trim wicks to ¼ inch prior to each use.
• Keep candles away from drafts and vents.
• Always use an appropriate candleholder placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
• Read and follow all manufacturer instructions carefully.
• Always keep a burning candle within sight. Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or before going to sleep.
• Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire. Keep burning candles away from furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations, etc.
• Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. Do not place lighted candles where they can be knocked over by children, pets or anyone else.
• Trim candlewicks to ¼ inch each time before burning. Long or crooked wicks cause uneven burning and dripping.
• Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candle use. The holder should be heat resistant, sturdy and large enough to contain any drips or melted wax.
• Be sure the candleholder is placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface. This will also help prevent possible heat damage to counters and table surfaces and prevent glass containers from cracking or breaking.
• Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, matches and debris at all times.
• Always read and follow the manufacturer's use and safety instructions carefully.
• Don't burn a candle longer than the manufacturer recommends.
• Keep burning candles away from drafts, vents, ceiling fans and air currents. This will help prevent rapid, uneven burning, and avoid flame flare-ups and sooting.
• Drafts can also blow lightweight curtains or papers into the flame where they could catch fire.
• Always burn candles in a well-ventilated room. Don't burn too many candles in a small room or in a "tight" home where air exchange is limited.
• Don't burn a candle all the way down. Extinguish the flame if it comes too close to the holder or container. For a margin of safety, discontinue burning a candle when 2 inches of wax remains or 1/2 inch if in a container.
• Never touch a burning candle or move a votive or container candle when the wax is liquid.
• Never use a knife or sharp object to remove wax drippings from a glass holder. It might scratch, weaken, or cause the glass to break upon subsequent use.
• Place burning candles at least three inches apart from one another. This is to make sure they don't melt one another, or create their own drafts that will cause the candles to burn improperly.
• Use a candle snuffer to extinguish a candle. It's the safest way to prevent hot wax from splattering.
• Never extinguish candles with water. The water can cause the hot wax to splatter and might cause a glass container to break.
• Be very careful if using candles during a power outage. Flashlights and other battery-powered lights are safer sources of light during a power failure. Never use a candle during a power outage to look for things in a closet, or when fueling equipment - such as a lantern or kerosene heater.
• Make sure a candle is completely extinguished and the wick ember is no longer glowing before leaving the room.
• Extinguish a candle if it smokes, flickers repeatedly, or the flame becomes too high. The candle isn't burning properly and the flame isn't controlled. Let the candle cool, trim the wick, then check for drafts before re-lighting.
• Never use a candle as a night light.

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