If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent way too much time on Pinterest looking at pictures of people’s perfectly curated homes. You know the ones: the farmhouse kitchens with copper pots hanging above a marble island; the cozy living rooms with oversized plush chairs and a fireplace roaring in the background; the sun-drenched bedrooms with crisp white sheets and a plant sitting in the window, just because.
As appealing as these images are, most of us don’t have the budget (or the real estate) to recreate them in our own homes. But there is one area of home decor where you can indulge a little without breaking the bank: vegan candles and home fragrances.
The Rise of Ethical Home Decor
In recent years, there’s been a growing awareness about the impact of the products we buy and use on the environment and on animals. As consumers, we have more options than ever before to make choices that align with our values. And this extends to home decor and accessories: more and more companies are offering vegan versions of traditional items like candles and fragrances.
So why go vegan in your home? Well, traditional candles and fragrances are often made with ingredients that are harmful to the environment and can be derived from animals. For example, beeswax is commonly used in candles, and while it is natural and biodegradable, it is usually harvested from bees who are exploited for their wax. Many fragrances, particularly those marketed towards women, contain animal-derived musk. Even “natural” fragrances can be problematic if they’re derived from endangered plants.
In addition to being cruel and unsustainable, many of these products are also toxic. Paraffin wax, which is commonly used in candles, releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when burned, which can be carcinogenic and contribute to indoor air pollution. Many fragrances, particularly those in aerosol sprays, contain chemicals like phthalates, which have been linked to developmental issues and hormonal disruption.
Luckily, there are better options. Vegan candles and home fragrances are made with plant-based ingredients that are sustainable and cruelty-free. They also tend to be free of toxic chemicals, making them a healthier choice for you and the planet.
How to Get Started with Vegan Candles and Home Fragrances
Choosing the Right Vegan Candles
When it comes to vegan candles, your options include soy, coconut, and beeswax alternatives. If you have a soy allergy, you may want to avoid soy wax, but it’s the most commonly used alternative to beeswax. It has a slow burn time, which means your candle will last longer. Coconut wax is another good option, but it can be more expensive.
Look for fragrances that are made with essential oils, not synthetic fragrances. You’ll get a better quality scent this way, and essential oils have additional health benefits. Be sure to read the labels to make sure the wax and fragrance oils are plant-based.
Finally, pay attention to burn time. You want a candle that will last longer so you’re not constantly buying new ones. Look for a burn time of at least 40 hours for a standard-sized candle.
Incorporating Vegan Home Fragrances
If you’re not a fan of candles or prefer a different delivery method for your fragrances, there are other options. Reed diffusers are a good choice if you want to avoid an open flame. They work by absorbing fragrance oil through the reeds and releasing it into the air. You can also find plug-in versions if you want a stronger scent.
Room sprays are another option, but be sure to read the labels. Many contain the same toxic chemicals that are in aerosol sprays, so look for natural fragrance oils and natural solvents. Wax melts and tarts are a newer trend, but they’re growing in popularity. You can use them in a wax warmer instead of a candle to get the same fragrance benefits.
Layering Scents for a Harmonious Environment
If you want to take your home fragrance game to the next level, consider layering scents. This means using different fragrances in different forms to create a more complex scent profile. For example, you could use a citrus-scented candle, a floral-scented reed diffuser, and a woodsy-scented room spray.
When layering scents, it’s important to choose fragrances that will complement each other. Look for fragrances with similar notes, or that have a balance of top (citrus, herbal), middle (floral, spice), and base (woodsy, musky) notes. You can also choose fragrances that are complementary: for example, lemon and lavender, or vanilla and rose.
The best part about layering scents is that you can change them up for different seasons and moods. In the fall, you could do a pumpkin spice candle, a cinnamon reed diffuser, and a vanilla room spray. In the winter, you could do a peppermint candle, a gingerbread reed diffuser, and a cedarwood room spray. The possibilities are endless.
Styling Vegan Candles and Fragrances
One of the best things about vegan candles and fragrances is that they can fit in with any decor style. If you have a modern home with clean lines, you could do a set of white or black candles on a sleek coffee table. If you have a more eclectic style, you could do candles in different colors and sizes on a wooden tray. You could even do candles in mason jars for a rustic, farmhouse look.
The key is to not overdo it. You don’t need a candle on every surface in your home. A good rule of thumb is to have one candle or fragrance source per room.
Maximizing the Benefits of Vegan Home Fragrances
In addition to making your home smell amazing, vegan home fragrances have other benefits. Just like essential oils have health benefits when used aromatically, plant-based fragrances can help improve your mood and relieve stress. So take some time to enjoy your new home fragrances and indulge in a little self-care.
Navigating the Vegan Candle and Home Fragrance Market
With so many options out there, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to vegan candles and home fragrances. Here are some tips for finding brands you can trust.
- Read the labels. Companies are required to disclose their ingredients, so you should be able to see exactly what’s in the product.
- Look for certifications. If a product is certified vegan by an organization like PETA, you know it doesn’t contain any animal-derived ingredients. If it’s also certified cruelty-free (by an organization like Leaping Bunny), you know it wasn’t tested on animals.
- Read reviews. If a product has good reviews from other customers, it’s a good sign that it’s high quality and does what it’s supposed to do.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a good vegan candle or home fragrance. But keep in mind that you get what you pay for. A $5 candle from the grocery store is probably going to burn unevenly and smell bad quickly. A premium candle that costs $20 or more may seem like a lot, but if it burns for 40 hours, that’s only $0.50 per hour. And you get the added benefits of a high-quality fragrance and natural wax that won’t release toxic chemicals into the air.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide how much you want to spend and what your priorities are. Do you want to buy an expensive candle that will last for months and be kind to the planet? Or would you rather spend $5 on a candle that smells good but may not be sustainable or cruelty-free? It’s your decision. But at least now you have more options and can make a choice that aligns with your values.