Are scented candles bad for you? What to know to use them properly

A scented candle used properly, in a well-ventilated room, is not a problem for most people. Like any flame, however, combustion produces a little smoke and particles: this is why it is best to trim the wick, not leave it burning for hours, ventilate the room, and extinguish it without blowing. Those who suffer from asthma or allergies would do well to talk to their doctor, and may prefer a diffuser.

What makes the difference

• The wick. A long wick produces a high, smoky flame: it should be trimmed to about half a centimeter before each lighting.
• Time. A few hours at a time, not an entire afternoon.
• Air. A room that is ventilated occasionally, and never a lit candle in a closed, small room.
• Extinguishing. With a bell or a candle snuffer, not by blowing: the smoke from the wick is the least pleasant part. The Trudon bell is designed precisely for this.

And the wax?

There is a lot of talk about vegetable wax, soy, beeswax, or paraffin. More than the type of wax, what matters is the quality of the candle and how it is used. The candles from the maisons you find with us indicate on the product sheet how to light them and how long to keep them burning.

When to choose a diffuser

If there are small children or animals in the house, if you forget lit candles, or if you prefer not to have a flame, a reed diffuser provides a continuous fragrance without smoke. Those from Trudon, such as the Ernesto diffuser, last 3–4 months.

All the tips for lighting them and making them last are in candles and home fragrances.

Frequently asked questions

Do scented candles pollute the air in the home?

Like any flame, they produce a little smoke and particles. Trimming the wick, not leaving them lit for too long, and ventilating the room greatly reduces the problem.

Can candles be lit with an animal in the house?

Better to be cautious: the candle out of their reach, the room ventilated, and never the flame without anyone present. Alternatively, a diffuser.