Experiment: The "eco-friendly" Scentsy Warmer

We've been working on a synthetic-free, non-toxic alternative to scenting your home....here are the initial results of our Way Out Wax and Scentsy experiment! You (and your wallet) will be pleasantly surprised!

Meet the Companies:

Scentsy offers a wide variety of wax tart warmers for any occasion and style, they are extremely popular options for flameless home fragrance. Many of our readers love their decorative warmers, but have concerns about their synthetically fragranced, petroleum wax tarts/bars. The glazed pottery warmers are electric, warming through the use of a single light bulb which also doubles as a nightlight.

Way Out Wax is an eco-friendly, non-toxic company that specializes in 100% non-GMO* soy wax candles that utilize only essential oil blends to create their fragrances. Essential oils do not only scent your home, they actively affect your mood through pure aromatherapy. The candles are created from renewable resources (soy versus petroleum) and all packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable! They do not use synthetic colors, dyes, or fragrances in their products.

Method:

To perform this experiment, we used a full-size Scentsy brand warmer ($30), with original 25 watt bulb, and tealight candles from Way Out Wax ($0.85-$1 each). The tealight was removed from it's container (easily pops out). Time was recorded during each stage of melting and fragrance dispersement. Photos were also taken to document the experiment.

Experiment:

5:45 - Placed tealight in warmer and turned on

5:50 - Tealight started to melt (elapsed time: 5 min) 

 6:15 - Tealight 75% melted and wick was pulled out (elapsed time: 30 min from start)

  6:20 - Completely melted (elapsed time: 35 min from start)

  8:45 - Turned off (elapsed time: 3 hours from start)

  8:50 - Wax cooling after 5 minutes off

  Next day 9:45 - Turned on warmer

10:00 - Melting again

Results:

The first day, the warmer was on for 3 hours total. For the second day, the warmer was left on for a total of 14 hours, with full strength scent throughout the home. On the third day, full strength scent lasted for an additional 6 hours. After this point, the scent load was noticeably lower (more subtle though still fragrancing), this phase lasted an additional 3 hours. This experiment was repeated to average results from multiple melts with different scents. A single tealight candle provided scented up to 1000 square feet indoors.

Average total scent time: 25-30 hours  [including 3-5 hours of subtle scenting]

Scent Effectiveness Comparison:

2 Scentsy cubes = 8-13 hours approx.

1 Way Out Wax tealight = 25-30 hours approx.

By using Way Out Wax tealights, your total cost will be only $2-3 for up to 90 hours of pure aromatherapy scenting your home, relaxing your mind, and soothing your soul!

[Assumption: 2 Scentsy cubes are equivalent to 1 Way Out Wax tealight for the purpose of the amount of melted wax required fill the bottom of the Scentsy warmer adequately]

Cleanup: 

Melted wax may be returned to the soil from which it came by digging a hole outdoors or poured back into the tealight container with the wick to be burned as an unscented candle. Easily wipes clean from the warmer.

Further Research:

Soy wax may be assumed safer than paraffin/petroleum based candles if it comes into contact with the skin. Since soy wax requires lower temperatures to melt, further experiment updates will determine whether scents will adequately disperse with lower wattage bulbs to reduce energy consumption. Stay tuned for ongoing updates!

*Non-GMO means that the plant's DNA has not been genetically altered in a laboratory - it is pure and natural, just as mother nature created it!

Shop Scentsy Warmers Website            

Shop Way Out Wax Tealights Website

Bamboo Candles from Wild Beauty

Exclusively utilizing only 100% Kosher-certified (non-gmo) soy wax and pure essential oils, Wild Beauty brings simple, eco-friendly charm to the candle scene!

These candles are unique in that the wax is poured into an actual piece of bamboo. Once the candle burns completely, you simply clean out the remaining wax and reuse the bamboo as a container. That's right, no waste! Plus, here are a few other benefits this product boasts:

• Reduced packaging to prevent waste
• 60%+ of labels/packaging are recycled/recyclable
• 100% cotton wick coated in natural beeswax for a clean burn
• 100% satisfaction guaranteed with full refund/replacement

Our favorite scent is Golden Qi - a magnificent combination of Frankincense & Myrrh (perfect for the holidays). The fragrance is soft and smooth, warm and comforting. And here is the best part about the bamboo (though no one should try this at home): our tester actually left this burning overnight without issue and awoke to a beautifully scented home the next morning! With that said, this candle has an impressive burn time; the manufacturer states 24 hours, however our experience showed the candles lasted hours beyond the expected time.

If you are looking for a unique gift, we certainly recommend checking these candles out!

SHOP WILD BEAUTY

Home: Scentsy Bars & Gold Canyon Candles (Why we can't review them)

We've received a lot of interest from readers regarding the safety of not only candles in general, but specifically, wickless candles such as Scentsy which utilize a wax tart that is placed in a warmer unit to disperse fragrance into the air. Due to lack of ingredient disclosure, we are unable to determine the safety of this product and will not test/review the Scentsy bars/tarts. For those of you with Scentsy warmers already, we plan to experiment with using the warmer with alternative vegetable waxes and essential oil blends to see if it will work with more natural products. Even though we cannot personally comment on Scentsy bars/tarts from experience, there are some important things to consider when making a choice about purchasing or using a product, this entry may help you with the process so you can decide for yourself if a product is safe or not.


At first hearing about tart warmers, it sounded like a plug-in air freshener just like any other but with messy wax added to the equation. Many studies by many reputable organizations and safety councils have studied and determined that most air fresheners contain or create toxic chemicals.  Everything seems to be a political game of profit, you can find experts on all sides to testify to anything, so it is VERY important to look at WHO is FUNDING the studies...it should be an independent, non-profit organization who does not financially benefit from the results either way. Confusion is often a tactic used in product marketing just as it is used in politics; to avoid being played, always look behind the scenes to determine the reputation of a study.

The ironic part is that most people will think twice about swallowing something they believe to be dangerous, but people slather toxic chemicals all over their skin and inhale their fumes without a second thought.

Let's consider methods of possible toxin exposure...since many people are ill-informed on how you can be poisoned. Inhalation: When you inhale a chemical, it goes directly from the lungs to the bloodstream; this is the worst exposure you can receive as there is no filtration whatsoever - you will receive a full dose. Skin Absorption: The next most dangerous way to be exposed to chemicals is through skin application. Your skin is an organ and although it creates somewhat of a barrier, it is easily penetrated and chemicals will go directly into the bloodstream from what is absorbed through the skin. Ingestion: Lastly, ingestion is another way chemicals invade your body - but with swallowing a chemical, your body has more defenses set up to deal with it, such functions are provided for by your liver and kidneys.


Now back to Scentsy and why we are unable to test their bars/tarts:

INGREDIENTS: (directly quoted from Scentsy website)
"A secret combination of ingredients is used to create a pool of melted wax, which is transformed into a wickless candle bar. Scentsy uses a food-grade petroleum based wax."


In other words, they're not going to tell you what's in there - the ingredient list is secret. What this melts down to is whether or not you trust a company with your life and the life of everyone living in your household. When you buy a product, you place a vote with your dollars to let that company know that you don't need to know what they put in their products, whatever is in there is okay with you, you'd rather remain in the dark. Consumers who buy products without full disclosure typically fall under the "ignorance is bliss" category because they would rather not have to think about ingredients or possible consequences.


Does Scentsy contain phthalates (certain chemicals known to cause endocrine [hormone] problems)? No. Although, this only rules out one category of toxins as the ingredient "fragrance" can hide many, many ingredients under that single term without disclosure, some of which may be toxic or unsafe. Since Scentsy (and many other companies) refuse to openly disclose their actual ingredients, it is IMPOSSIBLE for any consumer to make an educated decision about the safety of their use. 


Beware: Some candle companies avoid the phthalate question. Some companies, like Gold Canyon Candles, are tricky with wording by saying they "do not use phthalates which are known to cause problems" - notice the wording to avoid answering the question - they won't say they do not use ANY phthalates. This is a red flag.


On top of the "secret combination of ingredients" used to synthetically fragrance (read: chemicals created in a lab to make an artificial scent), they admit to using petroleum wax. Petroleum is also what is used to make gasoline. It is not an eco-friendly product in getting to the resource (think about the Gulf BP drilling mess), manufacturing (it pollutes tons of water and creates huge messes to refine it into petroleum from crude oil), or disposal. Although they claim on their website that they were unable to find a vegetable based wax that held their scents, many other companies have proven it can be done and it can be done well! There are plenty of soy and palm wax candle companies whose waxes hold essential oils perfectly for long periods of time. Perhaps the problem is not the vegetable wax, perhaps the problem is the cocktail of chemicals being used for fragrance? Just a thought.




SAFETY CLAIMS: (directly quoted from the Scentsy company website)
"Scentsy Warmers only warm the scent out of the wax - the wax remains in the warmer, thus there is no danger of chemicals being released into the home."


No danger of chemicals being released? Really? Fragrance oils are made from chemicals created in a lab. The fragrance oil is completely released until the wax is unscented. Obviously, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that you are inhaling chemicals from the fragrance and CHEMICALS ARE BEING RELEASED INTO YOUR HOME AND BODY.


Already have a scentsy warmer? We're currently testing healthier alternatives to be used in the warmers! Stay tuned....

Electric Aromatherapy Tart Diffuser: H2O At Home

For several weeks now, we've had the pleasure to try the H20 At Home warmer and essential oil pebble packs to test for this review. It was presented to us as a natural alternative to "Scentsy" products, seeing as H20 At Home only uses essential plant-based oils rather than synthetic fragrances in their scents.

After many uses, we are happy to report that this is indeed a product to consider when scenting your home naturally. While we still believe that a cold diffuser offers the best in the way of aromatherapy delivery, this electric warmer model does strongly scent a large room within approximately 15-20 minutes.

Please note that the warmer should not be used for more than 3 hours consecutively in order to maintain the essential oils; if you leave it on for too long, they put off an unappealing burnt smell. An automatic timer with shutoff after 3 hours is something we'd like to see incorporated into this product's design. On the bright side, the convenient on/off switch located on the cord allows you to put the warmer in places where outlets are not readily accessible.

How long does it last? We have found that a single pebble will last for several uses with no particular care required between uses - it can simply be left at room temperature in the warmer. A single pebble is approximately the size of a quarter and about the thickness of 2 stacked quarters.

What's inside the warmer? According to the CEO of the company, there is a small LED light equal to approximately 10 watts, which is used to produce just enough heat to warm the pebbles and release the essential oil scents from the wax.

Our favorite scent? Midnight Dream. It is a lovely combination of softness and strength, it absolutely sets the mood for relaxation - think candlelit bath in the moonlight!

How much and where to buy? Until November 30th, 2011, you can purchase this warmer with any pebble pack of your choice for $39 US. The item # for this special sale combo is 112002 and can be located through the search option on the company's website or by clicking on the promotions menu from the shop link below. Plus, every order placed from the below link will be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to H20 At Home!

Don't forget: If you have children or pets that like counter-top items, put safety first and keep the warmer out of reach of any curious little (or big) ones!

SHOP H20 AT HOME

Body: Agape & Zoe Naturals Eau de Parfum Spray

Finding your signature scent is hard enough on it's own with the multitude of fragrances on the market. Unfortunately, many fragrances are synthetic with hidden chemicals, many of which are toxic. In a world where you want to smell life, not just live it, there is a very real need for pleasant scents that not only define your presence but compliment it whilst maintaining safety during use and promoting health rather than devastating it. In our years of investigating products available on the market, I can truly say that the Agape and Zoe Naturals line of spray perfumes is a magnificent treasure!

With a generous offering of 10 designer scents consisting of only organic grain alcohol and essential oils, Agape and Zoe Naturals has a little something for everyone. We are enamored with Sugared Crush, a playful scent that you're sure to like if you're switching over from anything from J. Lo to Victoria Secret's signature scents. The soft vanilla warmth of this perfume lasts over 8 hours, delicately lightening to a wisp of scent. Absolutely perfection for the young or young at heart!! 

If you're more earthy and prefer crisp and fresh over an alluring sprite of a scent, check out Green. A delightfully light fragrance that will remind you of cucumber, mint, and a hint of mandarin orange! This one works great to lighten the mood and freshen the air around you as well, lifting your spirits into a sunshine-filled day. 

Since each 2 oz. spray bottle is generously proportioned, we recommend you first purchase a sampler set to see which scent works best with your body chemistry. The 10-scent sampler set of vials can be purchased for $20 US here. These perfumes are so amazing, exactly what many of us have been looking for, so I recommend you invest in the sampler first to ensure you are happy with your long-lasting purchase.

GMO-free. Phthalate-free. Paraben-free. Petro-free. Not tested on animals. Vegan. Gluten-free. Like we said, pure certified organic grain alcohol and essential oils -- nothing else added except love!

SHOP Agape and Zoe Naturals

Air Freshener: Simple Spritz Holiday Trio from Anuera

If you're craving cozy scents of the season to warm your home for the holidays, I've found the PERFECT set for you! Crafted of only the finest essential oils...absolutely NO synthetics or added chemicals!

Anuera welcomes in a new era of holiday air fresheners with their new Simple Spritz Holiday Trio ($10)!  No, that is not a typo...and for a limited time only, they also offer FREE SHIPPING...hurry, grab them while you can because these are honestly the best holiday scented air fresheners my nose has come across!!!

This holiday trio consists of:

• Winter Holiday - this is my personal favorite; it smells just like a fresh cut Christmas tree...I think it'll work out perfectly as a refresher spray around our tree throughout December! 2 oz
• Peppermint Forest  - if you were walking through the peppermint forest in Candyland, surrounded by candy canes, this is how it would smell...it is really refreshing and appetizing! 2 oz
• Orange Spice - perfectly spiced like fresh cloves poked into a ripe orange and hung from the tree (pomander)...if you like sweet 'n spicy, this is the scent you'll want to spritz all over your kitchen! 2 oz

At the time of posting, this special holiday gift set trio is currently unlisted on their website. However, if you wish to order it, please use the contact form on the Anuera website to request an invoice.

SHOP ANUERA

Aromatherapy: Blue Ridge Gypsy Reed Diffuser

Description: To make your home spa experience complete, you will need the soothing romance of our beautiful reed diffuser to fragrance your environment without pollution or flame/. We use the same excellent essential oils here as in our skincare. The oils will last for 3-4 months and can be refilled.

Ingredients: Essential oils (organic as applicable)

Price: $17.99 US

From first smell, I knew I liked this company...it allows me to enjoy all the benefits of yummy scents without all the harsh and often toxic downfalls from synthetic additives. Blue Ridge Gypsy utilizes only the highest quality of essential oils to formulate their true-to-life fragrances. For the holidays, they will feature several new scents:  Love Spell, Angel, Fracas, Waterlily, Satsuma, Coolness, Fresh Laundry, and Cote d'Azur.


For the past few months, we have been testing their aromatherapy reed diffuser. The scent I chose was Wood Spice, which reminded me a bit much of my grandfather's Old Spice cologne. Needless to say, it wasn't my favorite scent, but I had smelled their True Rose and Mandarin Vanilla and knew those smelled awesome - I had just not chosen wisely on the Wood Spice. But that's okay, it didn't effect our ability to test the longevity and effectiveness of the diffuser.


Unlike synthetic air fresheners that numb your nose after a few hours to the point where you can no longer enjoy the scent, Blue Ridge Gypsy reed diffusers do not wear out so fast. You will receive at least 3 months of strong scent from one diffuser placed within 1200 sq. ft. area. If you place it on the upper level of a home, the scent floats down the stairs and scents the lower level as well...it is absolutely refreshing to have in the home. The reeds only need to be turned over twice within the first hour and then once every 2 weeks to keep the scent strong. Overall, I highly recommend this product...just be certain to select a fragrance which appeals to you because it is going to last you awhile!

Shop Blue Ridge Gypsy

Body: Grapefruit Spray & Rose Neroli Lotion from Opas Soap

Refreshing. Hydrating. Pure Bliss.

Grapefruit Spray Description: Grapefruit is an all purpose spray! This scent is fresh, sweet and to the point! You may spray in your household, bathing room, automobile, or you may spray yourself! 4 oz


Rose Neroli Lotion Description: Rose Neroli is filled with botanicals to give a natural glow, tighten pores, aid in anti-aging, hydrate skin, and help maintain the proper pH balance of the skin. Rosehip extract is not only healing but it contains a large amount of vitamin C, which combats premature aging and wrinkles. 2 oz

Grapefruit Spray Ingredients: Distilled Water, Organic Grapefruit Seed Extract, Vitamin E, Polysorbate, Glycerine, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lemon



Rose Neroli Lotion Ingredients: Distilled Water, Hydrolyzed Oat Flour, Vegetable Glycerin, Olive Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Alginate, Leuconostoc (Radish Root Ferment Filtrate), Organic Rosemary Extract, Organic Gingko Biloba Leaf Extract, Organic Olive Leaf Extract, Organic Rooibos Leaf Extract, Organic White Tea Leaf Extract, Organic Green Tea Leaf Extract, Calendula Flower Extract, Chamomile Flower Extract, Rose Extract, Neroli Extract, White Willow Bark Extract, Red Clover Flower Extract, Elder Flower Extract, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Rosehip Extract, Lavender

EWG RATING:  SAFE/GREEN (1)  Click here for: Grapefruit Spray EWG report or Rose Neroli Lotion EWG report

Price: $4.95 US each

As the days grow shorter and the wind grows colder, our skin also changes as the humid moisture of summer fades into the crisp dryness of autumn. Due to this inevitable seasonal change, we must adapt our products to accommodate the needs of our bodies and one way we can satisfy your skin's thirst is with an adequate body lotion.


Opas Soap has created a wonderfully hydrating formula in their Rose Neroli Lotion that provides not only much-needed moisture, but also herbal ingredients that soothe and heal as they moisturize. Although you might expect it to be quite fragrant, it is actually only very slightly fragrant and the scent is rather neutral - not floral as the name might suggest. Just the size of a dime drop will provide a satin finish to your skin for hours to come!


Beyond the needs of your skin, often spirits can drag down along with the reduced sun exposure...this is when Opas Soap's grapefruit spray comes in handy. The light, refreshing scent is a squirt of happiness into a dreary day...providing a little pick-me-up when you need it the most! You can spray it around the house, on your body, on your sheets, your clothing, wherever you'd like...and the essential oils it contains are known to be strongly anti-bacterial, meaning a quick spritz around you can take care of nasty germs often present in those cool months when colds and the flu are most likely to strike. Be well, in more ways that one, with the wonderful product line offered by this eco-friendly company!

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