The clocks have changed, the nights are dark and somewhere, in the distance, we can just about hear the sound of jingle bells…
Yes, it’s officially the cosiest time of year! For candle lovers like us, there’s little doubt it’s our favourite season. It means we don’t need an excuse to make our homes a space for luxurious moments of self-care and plenty of time inside.
If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably already retrieved your snuggliest blankets, your biggest mug and your favourite home scents to fully immerse yourself in November. However, whilst you might be focused on which film is next on your Netflix watch list, we also encourage you to take a step back this month and consider how you can make your cosy season more planet-conscious.
It doesn’t take much to up-level your candles towards sustainability, but it will make a huge impact on how eco your home is. And we promise you won’t have to compromise on the perfect night in…
Step 1: Choose your candles wisely
The first part of making sure you’re burning in a way that’s sustainable is to get truly mindful about what candles you’re actually buying. Spoiler alert: Grabbing a cinnamon scented jar off the supermarket shelf may not be the way to go.
Here’s what you might want to consider:
Opting for plant-based wax
A huge amount of candles are made from petroleum-based paraffin wax. Since it’s extracted from oils, it’s a non-renewable resource and is harmful to the environment when burned too. In contrast, soy wax is a planet-based saviour for cosy seekers! It’s not a pollutant and comes from natural sources that can simply be re-grown.
Refilling instead of replacing
Candle vessels can be pretty wasteful. As soon as you’re finished with your latest scent obsession, the jar most often ends up in the bin.
That’s why we offer candle refills that can be popped into empty vessels to prolong the life of your Halcyon Naturals goodies. Just select “Grande Candle Refill” from the dropdown menu when adding a product to your basket.
Choose natural fragrance like essential oils
Much like wax, synthetic fragrances are extremely damaging to Mother Earth. They are also often derived from petrochemicals, like petroleum or coal tar. These VOCs are greenhouse gases that contribute to the degradation of our ozone layer and global warming. They’re also awful for respiratory wellbeing!
Instead, buy candles that use natural essential oils, which boast mood-boosting benefits while being planet-conscious.
Step 2: Take care of what you own
The next piece of the puzzle is to truly care for the candles you already have. By learning how to look after them, you can prolong their life and make the most out of each and every burn.
Here are the simple tips you should follow:
Be mindful of your first burn
When you first light a candle, make sure that you have plenty of time to allow the whole top layer of wax to melt. If you extinguish it before this happens, the wax is likely to tunnel, making it harder to light and ultimately ending in waste when your wick reaches the bottom of the jar.
Trim wicks to ¼ of an inch
Whilst it’s not common practice to trim wicks before each burn, it’s such a powerful way to get the most out of your candle. It promotes an even burn, reducing wasted wax.
Our Candle Care Kit contains a wick trimmer in a stunning golf finish.
Consider candle placement
When burning your candle, keep it out of the way of any drafts or wind. Again, this will help to ensure that the wax melts evenly.
Use correct storage
Remember that the best place for candles when not burning is in a cool, dry and dark place. This preserves scents and keeps wax in tact so it’s as good as new for longer.
Get 30% off your next sustainable candle!
All Halcyon Naturals candles have sustainability at their core. Hand-poured soy wax, natural essential oils, cotton wicks and nothing else. We’ve always been about crafting luxury self-care moments, without compromising on our eco credentials.
This Black Friday, we’re helping you go Green! Until December 5th, you can enjoy our Black Friday Deals*:
For 30% off all Halcyon Naturals and Illustrious Elements individual products use the code BLACKFRIDAY
For 25% off all gift sets and use code BFSET
Plus get:
A recurring 10% off our subscription boxes using code BFBOX if you sign up before Christmas.
Our newsletter subscribers get early access to this fabulous sale from 20th November, so make sure you sign up now.
*Gift cards are not included in our Black Friday sales.