Eco-Friendly Mama: Safe product recommendations with a focus on organic and Made in USA!

I was thrilled when a representative from Way Out Wax contacted me to offer some samples up for review. Why? Because it had been nearly 2 years since I burned a candle in my home. I remember my last candle well– I was a new mom, and had recently found the FB page Raising Natural Kids, where I read a post on the dangers of synthetic fragrances found in candles & air fresheners in general. I distinctly remember I had a candle burning at the time. I looked over at my fresh new baby sleeping on the couch, and snuffed out the candle. I threw most of them in the garbage (which I regretted a couple months ago when our power went out, the batteries in our flashlight were dead & I had to dig very hard for a candle). You can read below about the issue surrounding synthetic fragrances. I’ve learned to live without, and not miss, smelling up my home. But I have to say, it sure has been nice to enjoy a mild scented candle again with n0 concern for the health of my family or the environment. The Way Out Wax website has so much great information on it, I’m going to start by sharing what they have to say: (http://www.wayoutwax.com/)

• Our waxes are 100% natural and biodegradable.
• We use 100% soy wax in all of our container candles (cobalt glass, travel tins and colored votive glass)
• Our soy wax is 100% pesticide free and GMO-free
• Soybeans are a renewable resource, grown right here in the United States. Soy wax is a great way to support American farmers
• Our scents come from 100% pure essential oils without any dyes or synthetic fragrance. Essential oils are obtained through highly labor-intensive processes which extract the vital essence of aromatic plants from the flowers, fruits, sap, seeds or skin of the plant, as well as the bark, leaves, roots, resins or wood of certain trees. These oils are often referred to as the “life force” of plants and contain unique and varied therapeutic properties.
• What are synthetic fragrances? Synthetic Fragrance oils are primarily made from petrochemicals and attempt to duplicate the smell of a specific plant. By dismantling the unique chemical compound of an essential oil, chemists re-assemble a “Frankenstein” fragrance. A 1986 report by the National Academy of Sciences reports that 95 percent of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances are derived from petroleum and include benzene derivatives, aldehydes and many other known toxins and synthesizers capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions.
• What aren’t they telling us? The FDA does not require fragrance manufacturers to disclose the ingredients of synthetic fragrances because these formulas are regarded as “proprietary.” Such “proprietary” ingredients commonly include numerous known carcinogens but are protected under the FDA’s “trade secret” law.
• How harmful are these fragrances? Even after banning methylene chloride (a known carcinogen that also causes autoimmune disease) in 1989, an EPA study two years later listed the chemical as one of the 20 most common chemicals found in fragrance products. In a 2001 study, the EPA reported that synthetic fragrances were shown to cause “possible mutagenic and genotoxic effects.” Synthetic fragrances have also been shown to contain hormone disruptors which are linked to abnormal cell reproduction and may result in tumor growth. None of our products contain additives: At Way Out Wax, we’re convinced that pure essential oils, 100% biodegradable and natural waxes and unbleached cotton or hemp wicks are the only ingredients necessary for making a GREAT candle. In our minds, everything else that the candle industry uses classifies as an “additive.” The chemicals utilized by many candle companies and the “fragrance” industry are unhealthy to work with and unhealthy to burn.

So, here’s what I was sent:

I received a Sweet dreams candle in a colored glass votive (lavender, lemongrass & marjoram scented, 2 oz., $7.99 each, up to 24 hours burn time ), which has a wonderful, subtle, fresh scent. Also a 4 pack of lavender tea lights ($4.99/4 pack- up to 6 hr burn time/candle). None of the scents are very strong, they are wonderfully subtle. There is something about burning a candle that does lend a peaceful, tranquil feel to the house. Although I lived without them for nearly 2 years, it has been very wonderful to enjoy them once again. I will be ordering a few to keep around the house!!

There are so many candles to choose from- categories include: aromatherapy, unscented, tealights, true organics (100% certified organic essential oils), Vermont soy (7 unique blends created as a tribute to Vermont), clean air (air freshener spray), bug out, and gift baskets. You can choose your scent, and then choose your size/burn time. For example a 1” X 2” votive lists 15 hrs. of burn time, vs. a large round 3” X 6” which lists 65 hrs. of burn time, with many choices in between. You can choose from travel tins, cobalt blue glass jars, frosted tumblers, tea lights, votive, pillars, all the options you could possibly want in a candle!

How is burn time calculated? “Burn time is truly a moving target, as drafts, length of extended burning and other variable factors can greatly affect the outcome. This is why burn time is listed as “up to X hours”, i.e. “in a perfect scenario.” Burn time is generally calculated by burning a large number of candles for the recommended hours per session (a rule of thumb is one inch per hour diameter) and allowing the candles to cool completely before lighting again. Most of our candles’ burn times were calculated as an average of at least 40 or 50 different test burns, which are also conducted for testing a number of other characteristics (scent throw, wick selection, etc).”

I was also sent a Tropical Citrus Room Spray with the following ingredients: water, active ingredients are a proprietary blend of all natural plant extracts and botanical oils (4 oz/$6.99). My one & only concern is the proprietary nature, my page has come to know that I’m a huge advocate of full-disclosure. Of course, they cite the need to protect the product recipe from being stolen, which is what all companies who put proprietary blend on their labels cite. I have no reason not to trust this company, but really like to know exactly what is going into the products I’m using. I was sent the safety sheet as a pdf which I will gladly forward to anyone interested in taking a look. I saw no concerns other than don’t spray in eyes, common sense stuff. About the spray: This powerful mist electrostatically attaches to odor particles and neutralizes them, rather than just masking the unpleasant odor. Ideal for kitchen, bathroom locker room and cigarette smoke, Clean Air sprays are revolutionizing all-natural odor removal, while supporting better personal and environmental health. I normally use a homemade air freshener which consists of water & my favorite essential oils, which does just mask smells, not “eat” them, but I’ve been perfectly happy with that option.

Here’s a full Catalog: http://www.wayoutwax.com/2010_wayoutwax_catalog.pdf

Their website: http://www.wayoutwax.com/

And FB page:  https://www.facebook.com/WayOutWax?fref=ts