Why You Should Ditch Candles + Air Fresheners
Hey, friend! Today I’m sharing why we ditched candles and what we replaced them with. “Candles are so cozy though, I just can’t live without them especially in the fall!” Don’t worry I have a solution that will completely replace all the things we love about candles + give you added health benefits. Say what?! Here is Why You Should Ditch Candles + Air Fresheners
Why You Should Ditch Candles + Air Fresheners
Here are the main reasons we ditched candles and air fresheners + replaced them with essential oils.
- candles are full of synthetic fragrance + chemicals
- oils not only completely replace the heavenly smells of candles but also support your body in many ways
Many candles and air fresheners contain phthalates (pronounced thal-ates)—hazardous chemicals known to cause hormonal abnormalities, birth defects, and reproductive problems. NRDC’s independent testing of 14 common air fresheners, none of which listed phthalates as an ingredient, uncovered these chemicals in 86 percent (12 of 14) of the products tested, including those advertised as “all-natural” or “unscented.”
The chemicals below were found in at least one of the 14 air fresheners NRDC tested.
- Di-ethyl Phthalate (DEP): Has been associated with changes in hormone levels and genital development in humans.
- Di-n-butyl Phthalate (DBP): Is recognized as a reproductive toxicant by the National Toxicology Program and the State of California, and can lead to changes in genital development.
- Di-isobutyl Phthalate (DIBP): DIBP metabolites have been associated with changes in male genital development.
- Di-methyl Phthalate (DMP): Inconclusive evidence has shown reproductive toxicity in animal studies.
- Di-isohexyl Phthalate (DIHP): Limited toxicity testing has shown that DIHP is probably a developmental and reproductive toxicant.
- Source: https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/fairfresheners.pdf
Say No
Our bodies and brains aren’t designed to take on synthetic crap all the time but are designed to process plant-based materials. Fragrances act like drugs to our bodies. They enter into our bodies and mess with various hormone levels and neurotransmitters in order to produce change. 20 minutes is the average time it takes for bloodstream chemicals to influence a person. Fragrances can affect you almost immediately.
Oils to the Rescue
Unlike candles, a diffuser disperses essential oils without heating or burning, which can render the oil therapeutically less beneficial and even create toxic compounds. Research shows that cold-air diffusing certain oils may:
- Reduce airborne threats and unpleasant odors
- Relax the body, relieve tension, & clear the mind
- Improve concentration, alertness, & mental clarity
- Stimulate neurotransmitters
- Stimulate secretion of endorphins
- +more
KNOW BETTER DO BETTER
Okay cool, now what?
SHOP DIFFUSERS
click to shop some of our favorite diffusers on my Amazon storefront
SHOP OILS
Here is a list of the essential oil companies we love and use daily. They are all great quality and have testing results available, gotta love transparency!
ROCKY MOUNTAIN
- shop at https://shrsl.com/2qely
- they also have household products which I love
- I recommend starting with the essential oil diffuser kit // it’s only $45 and has what you need to get started
SIMPLY EARTH
- click here to shop
- use code TOREYNOORAFREE to get $40 back and a big bonus box
- I recommend doing the monthly recipe box, it’s only $39 and you get 4 oils + 6 recipes each month
- you can also just go on and order single products if you’d like
REVIVE
- click here to shop
- Revive has a lot of dupes for the big brands, I recommend the happiness kit or the de-stress kit
PLANT THERAPY
- click here to shop
- Plant Therapy is a crowd favorite, I love their transparency and all the kids options.
- I recommend this kit


TerraFuseâ„¢ Cream Diffuser and Top 6 Orga…
Thanks for reading today!
Here are some other posts you might like:
HOW TO SPRING CLEAN // NONTOXIC
YOUNG LIVING VS REVIVE VS SIMPLY EARTH
My challenge for you is to look up all the ingredients in the candles and air fresheners you use. Toss the ones with toxic chemicals today!
x, T
PIN THIS!
Oh wow, I didn’t know that! So sad because I love candles. But I do love essential oils too so I’ll try this!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
I’ve starting using essential oils recently when I go to sleep and I love them! They help a lot with my allergies as well and help keep my head opened up. Can’t wait to try out some scents for Christmas! Xx.
I’ve been reading about this lately – I am definitely hooked on candles, but I want to move more towards oils.
What an awesome and informative post! I had no idea that candles and air fresheners were so toxic! Makes me wanna throw all of mine out today!!
Kileen
cute & little
I have this diffuser at home and use it all the time! I love it so much more than candles now xoxo sarah
I love the diffusers I have in my home. The one for the kitchen can fill almost the entire house! The one in my bedroom is great for helping me be calm as I fall asleep.
I have been reading a lot about this lately. I have been switching regular candles out for soy candles since essential oils can be toxic to animals (which we have!)
Little by little I’ve been switching out my candles for YL oils. I wish they weren’t quite so expensive because I would definitely invest in them more often. But they tend to disappear much faster than a candle!
I just added a essential oils and a diffuser to my birthday wish list. And I SUPER appreciate this breakdown. Definitely want to get frankincense, lavender, and thieves.
xo Laura Leigh
http://www.louellareese.com
Oh wow, I had no idea candles were so bad for you. Thanks for sharing this super informative post!
This is amazing! I used to love yankee candles. Thank you so much for sharing!