What about candle alternatives.
Scented candles have long been a favorite way to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere in our homes. However, some may have concerns about open flames, there are plenty of scented candle alternatives to consider. Let's explore some of these alternatives and weigh their pros and cons.
Wax melts
Wax melts are a great alternative to for people looking to avoid open flames. Another benefit you’ll get from wax melts is no sooting. Soot is the black smoke that candles can produce if they are poorly made. Even well made candles can produce soot if burned or maintained incorrectly. Wax melts obviously don’t have this issue since there is no flame. Wax melts are often less expensive than candles. Melts are also great options for the office or other places where open flames may not be permitted. Although wax melts are often less expensive than candles overall, there’s the up front cost of buying a wax warmer. Wax melts also tend to loose there scent pretty quickly, so you may have to add new melts frequently. You also have to clean the old wax out of your warmer. Wax melts usually throw about as much scent as a 8 to 10 ounce candle, so you may need more than one for large spaces just as you may need a larger candle for larger spaces.
Room/fabric spray
Room sprays are great options to quickly freshen up any space. A lot of room sprays are even made to match your favorite candle fragrances. There’s no flame so no soot of course, but be careful around certain surfaces like expensive leathers or suede. Room sprays contain essential oils and fragrance oils which can stain certain materials. Room sprays are also notorious for there scent not lasting very long. Although I don’t think you’ll find any room spray that will last for hours, some brands are much longer lasting than others. There is also a few things you can do to get more out of your room spray. My favorite trick to make room spray last is spraying it on safe materials like pillow cases, sheets, and other cloth like materials. I also like spraying my couches and car interior. Again keep in mind room sprays contain oils so this won’t be a good idea for all surfaces.
Reed diffuser
Reed diffusers are a pretty low maintenance option. All you have to do is turn the reeds periodically. They look nice and go seamlessly with almost any interior design. Some reed diffusers can last well over 60 days. They work best for someone that prefers a subtle aroma. If you prefer a more powerful aroma you can add more reeds but don’t expect them to be as potent a scented candle.
Plug in fresheners
Plug in fresheners used to be my favorite scented candle alternative. They perform extremely well depending on the brand. You can get find ones that accent your interior design, decorative ones for the holidays, or inconspicuous ones that no one will notice. You can even get them with automatic night lights but these refills can get expensive! Then there’s several studies that state plug in air fresheners may not be as safe as we previously believed. The NRDC conducted a study and found that 86% of plug in air fresheners contain phthalates. Phthalates interfere with testosterone production, cause birth defects, and cause asthma. Some studies are even suggesting that plug in fresheners are toxic for your kidney and liver, and may cancer causing. Plug in fresheners also contain formaldehyde which is proven to cause myeloid leukemia and other rare cancers.
These are just a few alternatives to scented candles but there are plenty more to choose from. Although I love plug in air fresheners, I no longer use them because of the associated health risk. I do use wax melts, room spray, reed diffusers on occasion. As much as I enjoy these I’m still a die hard candle guy. For those that prefer something without a flame hopefully one of these options fits your needs. If not there’s plenty more to options explore, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The right choice depends on your preferences, safety concerns, and the ambiance you want to create.