I kicked my candles to the curb.
And I was quite the candle addict… So that’s saying a lot.
There’s nothing I love more than being enveloped by a warm, spicy scent when I walking into the house on a brisk, fall day. And who doesn’t love the flickering of a candle on a cozy winter’s night?
But once I started learning about some of the toxic junk my candle addiction was releasing into my house, suddenly my “warm sugar cookie” scented candles didn’t seem quite as appealing… Bummer.
As far as candle toxicity goes, it seems as though paraffin and lead-cored wicks are the two biggest concerns:
- Paraffin: Many candles (especially the cheaper kind) are made from paraffin wax; a petroleum by-product, which has the potential to contain toxins and potential carcinogens which are released into the air when the candle is burned. Some researchers even claim the smoke from some candles contains almost as much icky stuff as cigarette smoke.
- Lead-Cored Wicks: One of the primary concerns with candles used to be lead-based wicks, which would, of course, emit lead into the air when burned. However, in 2003, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned the manufacture and sale of all lead-based candles. So while lead emission is something you probably don’t need to worry about with newer candles, make sure you don’t have older candles in your stash that contain wicks with this harmful neurotoxin. (Here’s how to test and see if your candles have lead wicks)
Thankfully, soy, beeswax, or tallow candles are much cleaner burning and non-toxic, so they are still a good choice if you still crave the ambiance a lit candle creates.
But What About Air Fresheners?
Sadly, they aren’t much better. I published a post a few months back that highlights some of the issues related to aerosol room sprays and plug-in air fresheners. Here are some of the stats, in case you missed it:
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Many air fresheners contain phthalates (pronounced thal-ates), which have been linked to birth defects, hormonal abnormalities, and reproductive problems.
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The Natural Resources Defense Council tested 14 common products and discovered that 12 (86%) had phthalates, even though they were not listed as ingredients on the label.
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This included air fresheners advertised as “all- natural” and even “unscented!”
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Air fresheners also regularly contain allergens, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other dangerous carcinogens like benzene and formaldehyde.
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According to the Minnesota Department of Health, “Breathing low levels of VOCs for long periods of time may increase some people’s risk of health problems,” such as: cancer and damage to the liver, kidneys, or central nervous system.
So… am I running around purging my home of all candles and air fresheners while wearing a hazmat suit? Um, no. As I’ve matured a bit in my natural-living journey, I’ve learned to mellow a bit in my “all or nothing” zeal.
However, burning multiple candles in my home all day long (especially paraffin ones) is something I DO plan to avoid.
Thankfully, I’m not feeling deprived at all, thanks to my trusty essential oil diffuser. I’ve been experimenting with a bunch of different fall-themed diffuser blends to help replace those candles, and I’m pretty darn excited to share them with you today. (Pssst– the Spicy Chai one is my favorite, and yes, I do diffuse it while drinking my homemade chai concentrate for a complete chai experience) 😉
The Best Autumn Essential Oil Recipes for Your Diffuser
(to pin any of these images, simply hover over the top of them, and click the “pin it” button)
Spicy Chai:
- 3 drops cardamom essential oil
- 2 drops cassia essential oil
- 2 drops clove essential oil
- 1 drop ginger essential oil
Combine with water (most of my diffusers use around 70 mL, but it can vary) in a cold air diffuser.
Spiced Citrus
- 3 drops wild orange essential oil
- 2 drops cinnamon bark essential oil
- 1 drop clove essential oil
Combine with water (most of my diffusers use around 70 mL, but it can vary) in a cold air diffuser.
Walk in the Woods
- 3 drops frankincen;se essential oil
- 2 drops white fir essential oil
- 1 drop cedarwood essential oil
Combine with water (most of my diffusers use around 70 mL, but it can vary) in a cold air diffuser.
Immune Booster:
(I originally had 2 drops in the graphic, but decide that one drop of each is plenty, unless you have a larger diffuser.)
- 1 drop rosemary essential oil
- 1drop clove essential oil
- 1 drop eucalyptus essential oil
- 1 drop cinnamon bark essential oil
- 1 drop wild orange essential oil
Combine with water (most of my diffusers use around 70 mL, but it can vary) in a cold air diffuser.
Why Cold-Air Diffusers?
I prefer using a cold-air diffuser since it allows me to enjoy ALL the benefits of the essential oil–not just the scent. Unlike candle warmers, a cold-air diffuser doesn’t heat the oil, so all the therapeutic benefits of the essential oil remain intact.
I’ve tried reed diffusers, and while they do work somewhat, they aren’t as effective at dispersing the oil into a large area. (Here’s how to make your own reed diffuser, if you want to give it a try)
If you’re shopping for a cold-air diffuser, there are tons of options, and my essential oil diffuser review post will point you in the direction of some of my favorites.
Where to Buy Essential Oils
I can help you get started with wholesale pricing for your essential oil purchases. I can even help you sign up for our “frequent-flyer” type program which saves you even more!
LOVE this post! Thank you so much!
I hope you do more of these. These are great.
Love these recipes! Looking forward to trying the Spiced Citrus especially. Thanks!
I have the immune booster diffusing right now. Love it!!! Thanks so much 🙂
Do you have a recipe for a “sugar cookie” blend? We gave up candles too, but that’s the one I miss most of all.
Let me do some experimenting! 🙂
Hmmm was hoping to find a sugar cookie recipe. Any luck?
Does anyone know if it is true that using oil diffusers in a home with cats can be damaging for the animals ?
There are a variety of opinions online, but I, along with many members of my essential oil team, diffuse frequently with indoor cats, and we have never had problems.
Thank you for reply .This is most reassuring.
As far as using oils around animals you have to be very careful……some can be deadly. One really has to do their research before hand.
Hi, recently I added a drop of myrrh oil to my diffuser and noticed our small dog becoming irritated (sneezing and coughing). So I turned it off pronto. Next day he was just fine (as I was all set to take him to the vet!!!). A couple of days later I turned on the diffuser again and noticed he started coughing again…
My suggestion is that you should always be aware of any changes in your pet’s behaviour. They can’t tell you!
Have you seen Animal EO with Dr. Melissa Shelton? I use her oils for my cat and chickens.
Is the immune booster in the diffuser safe for infants?
Absolutely not. Check out what Tisserand and Lea Jacobson have to say.
THANK YOU for re-posting this! I love them all. and lost my list of ‘recipes’! Ummmm, ummm…off I go to start up a batch of ‘walk in the woods’!
Thanks again Jill!
Yay! Great timing. 🙂
Just ordered my first diffuser and would like a sleep/sinus recipe
We use eucalyptus alone most of the time. Sometimes we add lavender or peppermint along with it. Eucalyptus, sweet orange and peppermint are lovely together.
I love your recipes! We are diffusing the Spiced Chai blend and it smells like pumpkin pie. It is amazing!!!
Yay! Glad you are enjoying them. 🙂
How much (in ounces) is 70mL of water? Also, where do I go to buy the essential oils?
70 ml = 2.4 oz.
Essential oils are sold all over the place. I’m sure Jill will point you to do Terra and offer to set you up. do Terra seems to be a fine company. There are a lot of competitors, some offering decidedly lower prices. I buy mostly from Bulk Apothecary (Google it), they offer very competitive prices. Many grocery stores sell them, Costco has a very attractive “starter” kit, Amazon, etc. Be careful, essential oils are easily diluted and “doctored” with inferior chemicals to cheat customers. Wherever you choose to buy, do some research on the seller. As I said above, do Terra seems to be trustworthy, likewise Young Living, and several others. One guideline to consider is buying only USDA certified organic essential oils. I have enjoyed some absolutely amazing results, results bordering on miraculous. I have also had situations/ailments where they did not seem to help at all. Definitely read about them and give them a try. Start small and pay attention to what happens. Good luck.
Thank you for the article. I like to use the oil diffuser at home and your recipes are very helpful.
Your essential oil diffuser recipes are great. I think my favorite so far is “Walk In The Woods”.