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My Reward PointsCandles are commonly used to enhance house ambience, but do candles remove odours? Candles are certainly a popular way of odour removal.
But does burning a candle actually get rid of bad odours? The science behind fragrance may surprise you.
You'll know whether or not burning a candle is an efficient method of eliminating odours. The purpose of this article is to clarify whether candles can actually eradicate unpleasant odours.
How Do Candles Remove Odours?
When burning, candles can neutralise odours by diffusing scents and purifying the air. Candles contain crucial materials such as essential oils, activated charcoal, and beeswax, which can help with odour removal.
Heat breaks down odour-causing chemicals largely by combustion (burning) and thermal decomposition, particularly in "odour-eliminating" candles formulated with certain active ingredients. This is how candles remove odours.
Do Candles Absorb Odours or Just Mask Them?
Do candles absorb odours? Standard candles mask odours with fragrance, while specialised candles like beeswax or charcoal neutralise and absorb smell molecules, improving air quality.
1. Absorption vs Masking
Candles absorbing odours means wax absorbs smells when unlit, or candles neutralise odours when burning.
Candle masking refers to masking candles with strong scents without eliminating the actual odour source.
2. Mechanism
Some candles may be able to facilitate the absorption of particular particles, while others simply cover the odour with a nice aroma.
3. Types of Candles
Beeswax candles naturally absorb odours without added fragrance, while soy wax candles with essential oils and natural deodorising scents also help neutralise unpleasant smells effectively.
Does Burning a Candle Eliminate Odour?
Does burning a candle eliminate odour? Burning a candle can mask odours with scent; specialised odour-eliminating candles (typically made of soy/beeswax and enzymes) actually break down odour molecules, whereas conventional candles conceal smells and may emit VOCs.
1. Short-term vs Long-term Effects
Regular scented candles mask odours and provide a short-term effect, while odour-eliminating candles neutralise some molecules with a long-term effect; neither removes the source completely, so smells return unless cleaned.
2. Effectiveness
Candles effectively eliminate odours in small to medium spaces like kitchens or bathrooms by neutralising smells when used 2–3 hours at a time with proper ventilation, especially high-quality candles containing charcoal, enzymes, or essential oils.
3. Science Behind Burning Candles
Depending on the type of candle, burning it can break down odour particles through two basic mechanisms: heat destruction and chemical neutralisation.
Does Burning Candles Remove Odours in Your Home?
Does burning candles remove odours? Scented candles disguise scents, but "odour-eliminating" or beeswax candles can neutralise them. Odour removal is still necessary after burning any candle at home.
1. Effectiveness in Different Rooms
Burning candles reduces odours by masking or neutralising smells, dispersing fragrance, and purifying air, especially beeswax varieties, creating a fresher environment in areas like living rooms, bathrooms, or kitchens.
2. Factors that Impact Effectiveness
The size of the room, the type of candle, and the type of odour being addressed are all factors that influence the efficiency of odour removal while a candle is burning.
Does Candle Remove Smells? An In-Depth Look?
Does a candle remove smells? Regular scented candles only mask odours. Odour-eliminating and beeswax candles help slightly, but true odour removal requires cleaning sources, ventilation, and using cleaner-burning candles with trimmed wicks.
1. Smell vs Odour
Smells are neutral, broad terms encompassing any feeling experienced by the olfactory system, while odours are usually unpleasant. Scent, aroma, and fragrance are usually pleasant smells.
2. How Candles Work
Odour-eliminating candles, which use particular enzymes or ingredients to break down odour molecules, can help neutralise a wide range of common household odours, including pet and food odours.
3. Type of Scent
Citrus, lavender, and eucalyptus candle fragrances function by disguising odours, enhancing mood, and, in some circumstances, actively neutralising odours to target certain sorts of aromas or intended atmospheric effects.
Does Candle Type Affect Odour Removal?
Candles reduce odours by neutralising particles, chemically eliminating smells, or burning cleanly; beeswax purifies air, soy burns cleaner, and paraffin mainly masks odours.
When it comes to removing odours from candles, activated charcoal and natural essential oils are the most effective ingredients.
How to Use Candles Effectively to Remove Odours?
To properly remove odours from candles, there are several different methods that can be utilised, some of which are detailed below:
1. Placement
In order to get the best possible removal of odours, you can position candles in regions such as next to windows or in the middle of the room.
2. Lighting Tips
To remove odours best, burn your candle for 2–4 hours. This time creates a full, even melt pool on the wax's top, which optimises fragrance throw and odour neutralisation.
3. Combine With Other Solutions
If you want the best possible outcomes, it is recommended that you use candles in conjunction with air purifiers or open windows.
Conclusion
Candles remove odours by masking smells with fragrance or neutralising them using charcoal, enzymes, or beeswax, which releases ions that bind pollutants while heat disperses scent oils.
Depending on the environment and space, certain candles can be more or less successful at eliminating odours.
To determine which candle type and scent best suits your needs, you must try a variety of them. Finally, you need to explore your recommended candles for odour removal.
