Gransnet forums

Science/nature/environment

Scented candles

(46 Posts)
Teetime Tue 19-Feb-19 09:05:59

I keep reading that the burning of scented candles is bad for the environment. I'm not an expert so I believe it. I have now changed to having a diffuser in my living room rather than candles - anyone else with me?

annodomini Fri 22-Feb-19 20:14:09

Coincidentally, I decided tonight to ignite a candle I was given the Christmas before last. Couldn't make out what (if any) scent it was supposed to have, so it is now going in the bin. I don't suppose it's recyclable.

Lazigirl Fri 22-Feb-19 19:55:27

Ha ha. I think Prof Sprick from University of Vange gave a clue. With a name like lemongrove you obviously favour nice smells ??? artificial or not.grin

lemongrove Fri 22-Feb-19 19:04:18

Naughty Baggs.....of course you knew.?

Baggs Fri 22-Feb-19 19:03:06

Was it? Oops! ??

lemongrove Fri 22-Feb-19 19:02:50

Am not giving up my scented candles for anyone.

lemongrove Fri 22-Feb-19 19:01:53

Baggs grin you do know that bit of reporting was a joke,
Right?

Baggs Fri 22-Feb-19 18:59:08

A lot of added scents are, quite simply, pollution.

Baggs Fri 22-Feb-19 18:51:55

Apparently a young man died today or yesterday after "being overcome" by the numerous combined scents in a Lush shop: southendnewsnetwork.net/news/man-dies-after-being-overcome-by-smell-of-scented-soaps-in-lush/

muffinthemoo Fri 22-Feb-19 13:37:13

I was just joking. He is a terribly farty beast though, the smells are quite awful

Baggs Thu 21-Feb-19 21:23:39

Do open windows not work with dog pongs? Not that I care what dog owners use in their own houses to cover dog pongs. I'm just arguing that added pongs are just as bad for some people so shouldn't be used in public or work spaces. Public toilets in shops are often installed with no windows or external ventilation. That is a bad thing.

Lazigirl Thu 21-Feb-19 18:42:48

? Ofcourse not muffin (couldn't find a dog).

muffinthemoo Thu 21-Feb-19 13:22:03

I can't eliminate the source of the smell, he's a good dog

Lazigirl Thu 21-Feb-19 13:16:49

There is some evidence Baggs that chemical compounds found in home "fragrances" and other products, have been implicated in reduced lung function, which is particularly important for children, and those with lung problems such as asthma. These artificial fragrances, mask smells but don't remove them, and emit VOCs some of which are the carcinogenic. Why would we want to breathe in chemicals such as formaldehyde for the sake of having a "pleasant smelling" house?

Baggs Thu 21-Feb-19 11:25:57

When I read about increases of asthma in children, I often wonder if added home pongs are at least partly to blame.

Baggs Thu 21-Feb-19 11:23:12

I hate scented candles. Just saying.
Actually, I hate most scented things that have had synthetic (and even 'natural') scents added to them. I agree with the opinion that burning scented candles is probably bad for the environment. It's certainly bad for my environment—provokes breathing difficulties. People who are not aware of this problem need to be told that it matters.

Scented laundry products, soap, shampoo, etc, etc are all noisome.

I cannot have daffodils, hyacinths or lilies in the house and I simply don't understand why people need "room fragrances". What's wrong with fresh air? Open a window if there's a pong you don't like, or maybe find out what's causing the pong and eliminate it. Probably a good idea to do both.

Emma49 Thu 21-Feb-19 09:47:20

Mawbroon I took your advice and went to Aldi yesterday but they were sold out of No 1 in the diffuser but I bought the room scent. It really does smell like Jo Malone perfume. Thanks for that.

Bathsheba Wed 20-Feb-19 12:52:45

Ha, I wasn't really correcting you Lazigirl - I started off by agreeing, saying "Exactly" and then it occurred to me that it wasn't exactly 'exactly' grin. Hence the explanation wink

Lazigirl Wed 20-Feb-19 12:36:37

Thank you for correcting me on my chemical ignorance Bathsheba. I should read links more carefully smile

Nanny27 Wed 20-Feb-19 11:52:59

Exactly as MOnica says, artificial scents trigger migraine for me. I always try to avoid entering a large store through the perfume department.

Telly Wed 20-Feb-19 11:08:13

I have several candles left from Christmas and I have posted about the huge amount of carbon that even marked my cream carpet and fire surround after I left a wick burning too long. I was quite shocked as the obvious conclusion is that we had been breathing it in. I have not lit one since, but they are sitting there looking quite attractive! I have a diffuser called Manor House, no idea where it was from but it is truly lovely. Sort of traditional orange, cinnamon etc. scent.

gillybob Wed 20-Feb-19 10:59:37

I love ( certain ) scented candles and burn one in my kitchen for an hour or so after cooking anything with a strong smell ( fish etc) . I love nothing more than the rare treat of sitting with my feet up, glass of wine in hand , lovely music playing and a candle burning . Heaven .

jusnoneed Wed 20-Feb-19 10:51:50

It did make me wonder if they have anything to do with the reported increase in Asthma, especially in children. All the smelly fumes/sprays etc that some homes have - we never had anything like them and it was unusual to hear of someone having Asthma, now it seems every other child is inhaling some drug because of it.

Bathsheba Wed 20-Feb-19 10:11:25

even expensive room scenters apparently give off a cocktail of chemicals, formaldehyde being one

Exactly - well not 'exactly', actually, because it's limonene that is given off, which produces formaldehyde when it comes into contact with ozone - see my link at 09:29:22 yesterday.

PamelaJ1 Wed 20-Feb-19 10:03:25

Culag,
I think it’s a very different thing to be outside and inhaling lovely natural perfumes than inside inhaling manufactured chemicals.
Some people have those plug in ones that emit noxious particles all the time.
Why waste money and health on something you don’t need?
I think that most people on here have heard of pollution and global warming and all the other nasties that these smelly things only contribute to.

Lazigirl Wed 20-Feb-19 09:40:25

Unfortunately even expensive room scenters apparently give off a cocktail of chemicals, formaldehyde being one, and who wants to inhale that? I really love perfume and still use it but have given up the candles and house perfumes after researching them. I think it would be probably wise for asthmatics, people with lung conditions and those with children to avoid.