be sure to buy non-toxic candles

If you wouldn't light a huge cigarette and set it on a fancy ceramic tray in your living room to burn for an hour—don't buy a cheap, mysterious candle. Before I gave it some critical thought (and research), I was certainly guilty of buying cheap candles, lighting them around my room and probably breathing in oodles of disaster. As a rule of thumb, if a candle does not specifically and transparently state the benevolence of the ingredients used, avoid buying it.

Many cheap store-bought candles contain paraffin, a petroleum byproduct, which releases toxic carcinogens when burned. Instead, look for candles that are made of 100 percent beeswax, or a vegetable-based wax. Be sure that the candles are not a beeswax-paraffin blend, for example, because some candle manufacturers will add the latter to cut down costs. Currently, there is no ban (or plans for a ban) on candles containing paraffin. Burning these candles, however, can cause respiratory problems, and even damage to the inside of your house.

Also, be sure to buy candles that have all-cotton wicks. Some cheaper candles will use small metal fibers in the wicks to keep them standing straight. Many candle companies used to use lead in their wicks, a practice that was banned in 2003. Additionally, it is recommended that you keep all candle wicks trimmed down to approximately 1/4".

One brand of candle I recently discovered (and like very much) is Stella Mare. They are soy candles handcrafted in Portland and are pretty reasonably priced for the quality. They also seem to last for a pretty long time! I'm no candle fanatic, but there definitely is a deep level of peace and relaxation associated with a great-smelling candle that doesn't pollute your body or your home. There are plenty of options for purchasing non-toxic candles, it's just up to us to do our due diligence as consumers.