Soy CANDLES
If you haven’t lit a soy wax candle instead
of a traditional paraffin wax candle for your
Friday night bubble bath, you might be
missing out on a host of benefits for your
wallet, your nose and your health.
Why choose soy? Soy candles are
made from soybeans, not only
making them a safer and natural
alternative to petroleum-based paraffin,
but they are also renewable and biodegradable.
You breathe in whatever you are
burning in your home. “Soy wax is far
superior to paraffin wax because it does
not produce soot as it burns. Plus, paraffin
wax is made from petroleum, which is the
same stuff we put in cars,” says Rhode
Island-based candlemaker, Samantha
Atella, owner of Orange Cat Candle Co.
“So, it is like burning exhaust fumes in
your home. Soy is clean-burning and
non-toxic to your health.” Soy wax candles
are plant-based, making them a vegan
product that anyone can get behind. Plus,
its burn time is twice as long as a paraffin
candle due to a lower melting point.
Check out these locally made,
100 percent soy wax candle makers:
Aster Candle
astercandle.com
Cozy Light Candle Co.
cozylightcandleco.com
Orange Cat Candle Co.
688-9181, orangecatcandleco.com
Sea Smith Candle Co.
seasmithcandleco.com
Shore Soap Company
302 Thames St., Newport, 846-0305,
shoresoapco.com
Wick-ed Candle Co.
Fantastic Umbrella Factory, 4820 Old Post
Rd., Charlestown, wickedcandle.shop
Dangerous Detergent
While clean laundry means fresh clothing and crisp linens, conventional
laundry care products often contain chemicals and irritants with negative
health effects. So, is your laundry detergent toxic? According to Dr. Ellen
Frankel, chief of dermatology at Kent Hospital, toxins found in laundry soap
can cause an allergic reaction, irritation and more.
Toxic chemicals may include:
PHOSPHATES AND EDTA: Used to make detergents more effective in water.
They are also needed to help break down dirt particles.
BLEACH (SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE): Can cause severe toxicity, chemical
burns and eye damage. An asthmatic who inhales the bleach fumes can have
a severe allergic reaction and flare of asthma.
FRAGRANCES: Used in products to mask the odor of the cleaning products
and may stay in the clothing after it has been washed. Because the fragrances
are derived from petroleum and coal tar, the chemicals can pass through
the skin and cause a localized reaction (irritation or contact dermatitis) and
may cause respiratory issues.
PHTHALATES: Can also be present in laundry detergents but are usually not
listed in the ingredients. It is best to avoid products with recycling codes
three and seven to avoid phthalates.
SODIUM LAURYL SULFATES (SLS) AND SODIUM LAURETH SULFATES
(SLES): Both have been linked to contact and allergic skin and eye irritation.
BRIGHTENERS: Chemicals that are added to the detergents to enhance the
brightness and whiteness of our clothes. They remain in the clothing and
absorb UV light. So, yellow is minimalized and clothes appear brighter.
These can cause skin irritation.
QUARTERNIUM-15: A chemical that is a formaldehyde releaser. It can cause
severe allergic dermatitis and can trigger asthma and/or damage the
respiratory system.
There are many dye-free products and fragrance-free products, but the latter
might (and usually will) contain masking fragrances. However, there are several
“healthy” detergents on the market:
Purex Liquid Natural Elements: Hypoallergenic and dye-free. It does have a
light scent so if you are fragrance sensitive this should be avoided.
Grab Green: Natural three-in-one laundry pods with vanilla and lavender
scent and essential oils. This product is plant-based and claims to be free of
harmful toxins and carcinogens but does have a fragrance.
Charlie’s Soap: This laundry powder is fragrance-free and is a biodegradable
hypoallergenic detergent. It does not contain fragrances, brighteners or
fillers.
Puracy: A natural liquid detergent that is plant-based, hypoallergenic and
biodegradable. It claims to be 99.5 percent natural. It is SLS- and SLES-free
and does not contain bleach, phosphates, sulfates, petrochemicals, chlorine
or perfumes. It is also tree nut-free.
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l MAY/JUNE 2020 65