8 Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Scented Candles (2024)

If you are trying to cut down on your Pollution, you may have to take a hard look at your scented candles. These items can be a big polluter without you even knowing it. The good thing is that you have plenty of other options to choose from!

Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Scented Candles

Scented candles may be nice to have, but they aren’t worth the Pollution, especially not when they are polluting your indoor air. These options are much safer and more natural, allowing you to still make your home smell good without damaging your air quality.

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Here are some straightforward and affordable options if you want to cut your air Pollution down by not using fragranced candles.

1. Candles Made From Renewable Sources

If you want to be able to burn scented candles, the way to do so is to buy candles made from renewable wax. This means that the wax comes from a renewable source that can be recreated as the demand is up. This includes plant waxes like soy and coconut wax. These waxes are purer and healthier for us as they come from natural sources. They create much less Pollution and can even purify the air.

2. Essential Oil Diffusing

Diffusing essential oils is a great way to replace candles with a more earth-friendly option. This is also a trendy option as many have started to convert to essential oils. It simply lets out a steady stream of water particles containing bits of essential oil. This scented mist gives your home a lovely fragrance that is entirely natural and clean. You will want to invest in high-quality essential oils since you will be breathing them in. Most diffusers are also affordable. With essential oil diffusers, you are also benefiting from moisture in the air, which can be amazing during the cooler months.

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3. Essential Oil Room Spray

You can easily whip up a handy room spray freshener out of essential oils. This will help your home always smell fresh and clean daily. It is much more eco-friendly and still leaves your house smelling amazing. You can make essential oil room sprays with all kinds of ingredients. Some recipes call for vodka or witch hazel, but you can use whatever blend you want for any sort of scent. This is a great way to still enjoy seasonal scents without using polluting scented candles. You can spray the freshener around your home and on items like beds, chairs, and curtains for a lasting scent.

4. Electric Wax Warmer

Electric wax warmers are a great alternative to scented candles without all of the Pollution. You can easily find wax melts made from renewable waxes with natural fragrances like essential oils. These wax melts slowly melt and release their scent into your home without polluting the air with a lit wick. They may not be quite as cozy, but they still get the job done. They are also considerably cheaper than candles!

5. Potpourri

Making your own blends of potpourri is not only easy to do, but it is a very effective way of scenting your home nicely. You can make all kinds of potpourri mixes depending on the scent that you like. They can be dark and earthy, sweet and floral, spicy, or refreshing. It all depends on what you make it with.

A fall blend of dried oranges and spices would be lovely, or a Christmas blend of peppermint leaves and cinnamon sticks. These potpourri blends can be created and dispersed in decorative jars, bowls, and cups throughout your home.

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6. Incense

Incense is a better option than most scented candles as it does not release the same kind of Pollution into the air. It creates smoke that some people may have an issue with, but it is a personal preference. However, make sure you only buy high-quality incense as some cheaper options are not made with natural ingredients.

You can use incense to give your home a warm, lingering scent. Natural scents like frankincense or lavender are perfect for home environments, but you have a lot of options to choose from. If you have an animal, make sure you use pet-safe incense.

7. Stovetop Potpourri

Stovetop potpourri is a fun way to make your house smell amazing, especially during the holidays.

All you have to do is create a potpourri mix and add it to a pot of boiling water on your stove. Let this mixture simmer, and as it does so, it will fill your home with a wonderful scent. You can make this stovetop potpourri with dried fruit or even fresh fruit like cranberries, oranges, apples, and lemons.

You could add spices like ginger, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise. Or natural elements like lavender, rose petals, pine needles, pine cones, and chamomile. Make your favorite potpourri scents, and let the mixture simmer away for a few hours.

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8. Natural Elements

Bringing natural elements into your home is an excellent way of scenting the house without any harmful chemicals or Pollution. These eco-friendly alternatives to scented candles are better for the environment and better for you as well.

You can use natural elements by decorating your home with fragrant dried spices like nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon. Or with dried fruits like dried lime, orange, and lemon. Both options will create a light and lingering scent that is pleasant and refreshing. You could also bring in pine branches or flowers to create a light and fresh scent throughout your house.