Non Toxic Candles

Our candles are made with clean, non-toxic ingredients that are safe for your home and family. We use coconut apricot wax, which is free from paraffin, petroleum byproducts, soy, phthalates, and known carcinogens. Our fragrances are carefully selected to be phthalate-free and hormone-friendly, meaning they won’t disrupt your endocrine system or release harmful toxins into the air.

Yes! Our candles are specifically designed to be safe for indoor use. They are free from common toxins found in traditional candles, including paraffin (a petroleum byproduct), synthetic fibers, and harmful fragrance chemicals. Our clean-burning formula helps reduce indoor air pollution and is a great choice for homes with kids, pets, or sensitivities.

We use coconut apricot wax, one of the most eco-friendly and clean-burning waxes available. It burns more evenly and produces less soot than traditional waxes like paraffin. It’s also renewable, sustainable, and biodegradable, making it a better choice for both your health and the environment.

We use a laser engraver to etch designs into the front of our glass candle vessels, or jars. These unique jars create a beautiful glowing effect when they are lit. The engraving allows light to shine through the design, making each candle both a functional product and a decorative piece.

Great question—and you’re not wrong. Soy candles can be a good option, but they’re not automatically as “clean” or “non-toxic” as many people assume. Soy wax itself isn’t inherently bad. It’s generally better than paraffin (which is petroleum-based). But here is where soy can fall short: 

1. Soy is Heavily, Chemically-Processed:
Most soy wax goes through significant chemical processing (including hydrogenation) to turn soybean oil into a solid wax. That doesn’t automatically make it toxic—but it does mean it’s not as “natural” as people think. 

2. GMOs and Pesticides:
The majority of soy grown in the U.S. is genetically modified (GMO) and/or treated with harmful pesticides like glyphosate, which is bad for your health and the environment. Unless a candle is specifically labeled organic soy wax, there’s a good chance it comes from conventional (GMO/non-organic) crops.

3. Blended Wax:
Soy is often blended. Many “soy candles” aren’t 100% soy. They’re often blended with paraffin or other waxes and additives to improve “scent throw”. So “soy wax” candle labels can be misleading.

4. Environmental Trade-offs:
Soy is renewable, which is great—but large-scale soy farming can contribute to deforestation. It relies on industrial agriculture practices, so it’s not always the most eco-friendly option available.

Bottom line:
Soy candles aren’t all “bad”—they’re just not the gold standard people think they are. If your goal is clean indoor air, non-toxic ingredients and truly eco-conscious products… then it makes sense to go a step further than soy.

Soy wax candles are “better”—but not always “best.”

Think of it like this:

Paraffin candles → lowest quality (petroleum-based)

Soy candles → better, but depends on sourcing + fragrance

Coconut/apricot wax candles → often the cleanest, most eco-friendly option

Not only does the type of wax and fragrance matter, but so does the wick! We’ve talked about how different elements impact your health and the environment, but from a quality standpoint each element also impacts how well a candle’s scent fills a room and also the amount of time a candle will burn. That cheap $16 candle might seem like a great deal, but in reality it’s probably not going to create the same ambiance or last as long as a high quality candle like our’s. 

“Scent throw” is simply how well a candle’s fragrance fills a space - both before it’s lit and while it’s burning. A high-quality candle offers a balanced, noticeable scent without being overpowering. Several things determine how strong a candle smells: 

• Wax type: Some waxes hold and release fragrance better than others. (Coconut-apricot wax is known for a smooth, clean throw.)
• Fragrance quality: Clean, well-formulated scents = better, more consistent throw.
• Wick type & size: Impacts how hot the candle burns and how much fragrance is released.
• Cure time: Candles need time after being poured for the scent to fully bind to the wax. 

You may also hear the terms “cold throw” and “hot throw”. 

• Cold throw is how a candle smells before it’s lit. It’s the fragrance you notice when you pick up the candle or walk by it on a shelf. Strong cold throw = you can smell it right away without lighting it.
• Hot throw is how well the scent spreads while the candle is burning. Strong hot throw = the fragrance fills the room (or even multiple rooms).

“Burn time” is the term the candle industry uses to describe how much time (minutes or hours) a candle is expected to burn before the wax is gone. A candle’s burn time is affected by the type of wax used, as well as the fragrance, wick and size/shape of the vessel. This is where you will get your money’s worth or not. Not every candle is equal, even if they have the same amount of wax in the jar. 

The wick is one of the most important (and most overlooked) parts of a candle. The wick is what controls how a candle burns, and not all wicks are created equal. We use 100% cotton, lead-free, and zinc-free wicks designed to produce a clean, even burn. This means less soot, better scent distribution, and a safer, more enjoyable candle experience. Some things to remember: 

• It controls how clean the candle burns. A high-quality wick helps the candle burn cleanly and evenly. A poor-quality wick can produce black soot (that ends up on your walls, in your lungs or airway and in your air), release unwanted toxins, and create an unstable flame. This is a huge factor in whether a candle is truly “non-toxic.”
• It impacts scent throw. The wick determines how hot the candle burns—and that affects how fragrance is released. Too small → weak scent, tunneling. Too large → overpowering scent, burns too fast. The right wick = consistent, balanced scent throw
• It determines burn quality (no tunneling). A properly sized wick creates a full melt pool (wax melts evenly across the top). A bad wick leads to tunneling (wax left on the sides), wasted product, and shorter candle life. 
• It affects safety. Not all wicks are created equal. Lower-quality wicks may contain lead or heavy metals (rare now, but still a concern in cheap imports), zinc cores, and synthetic fibers that release chemicals when burned. 
• It influences maintenance (self-trimming vs. high-maintenance). A well-designed wick will self-trim as it burns, stay at a safe flame height, and overall require less babysitting. A poor wick may mushroom (carbon buildup on top), flicker excessively, need constant trimming. 

For clean, non-toxic candles, you want:

• 100% cotton wicks (with paper filament core)
• No metal cores
• No synthetic materials
• Proper sizing for the vessel + wax type
• Lead-free
• Zinc-free

Right here - on the Wholly Cow Market website! We ship all over the continental US. 

Yes - many of our customers buy candles as gifts. Whether you’re buying someone a birthday gift or placing a custom order with us for something like employee gifts, both men and women, young and old, love candles. 

Fragrance matters just as much, if not more, than the type of wax used when it comes to candles. This is the big one most people miss. Even if a candle uses coconut apricot wax, it can still contain:

• Phthalates
• Synthetic fragrance chemicals
• Potential respiratory irritants

So a candle made with a non-toxic wax can still be toxic depending on the fragrance used. We use all “clean” fragrances to avoid health concerns such as phthalates. 

No. All of our candles are 100% phthalate-free and paraben-free. This means they do not contain ingredients known to disrupt hormones or cause potential long-term health concerns.

A phthalate is a group of chemicals commonly used to make plastics flexible and help fragrances last longer, but some are known to disrupt hormones (endocrine system) in the body. Hormone disruption is associated with a long list of health concerns. 

Parabens in candles are synthetic preservatives added to fragrance oils to prevent bacterial growth and extend shelf life. They have the potential to cause allergic reactions and act as endocrine disruptors that mimic estrogen in the body. Research indicates endocrine disruptors cause potential reproductive issues and increased cancer risk. They are also linked to skin irritation.

Yes! Our candles are designed with sustainability in mind:

• Clean-burning, renewable wax
• Reusable glass vessels
• Non-toxic, responsibly sourced ingredients
• Made in the USA so they are not shipped overseas

We strive to minimize environmental impact while delivering a high-quality product you can feel good about using.

Absolutely! Our vessels are designed to be reusable and long-lasting. Once your candle is finished, simply clean out the remaining wax and place a tea light inside to continue enjoying the warm glow.

We use 100% cotton wicks with a paper filament core. They are:

• Lead-free
• Zinc-free
• Free from synthetic fibers

This ensures a cleaner, safer burn without releasing harmful chemicals into your space.

Yes! Our candles are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. We never use animal-derived ingredients or test on animals.

Right here - on the Wholly Cow Market website! We ship all over the continental US.

All of our candles are hand-poured in small batches in the Midwest USA (Kansas). We are proud to be a woman-owned small business supporting local communities and American-made products.

Traditional candles often contain paraffin wax and synthetic fragrances that can release harmful chemicals into the air. Choosing non-toxic candles helps:

• Improve indoor air quality
• Reduce exposure to harmful toxins
• Support overall health and wellness

Our candles are designed to give you the cozy experience you love—without the hidden risks.

Yes! We offer custom candle design and wholesale options for businesses, events, and organizations. You can customize:

• Vessel design (including laser engraving)
• Candle scent
• Labels and branding
• Wax color, lids, and more

These are perfect for:

• Retail products
• Corporate gifts
• Client appreciation
• Fundraisers and events

Absolutely. Our team provides expert marketing and design collaboration to help bring your vision to life. From branding to product presentation, we help ensure your custom candles are both beautiful and effective for your business goals.

While everyone’s sensitivities are different, our candles are made without common irritants like phthalates, parabens, and synthetic additives, making them a better option for those seeking a cleaner, low-toxin alternative.

Yes. Our candles are made without ingredients listed under California Proposition 65 and are free from known organ toxins and acute toxins, aligning with high safety and ingredient standards.

When you purchase from us, you’re supporting:

• A woman-owned small business
• Local jobs and rural communities
• Charitable giving (a portion of proceeds goes to charity)

It’s more than a candle—it’s a way to make a meaningful difference.

Yes! We proudly offer discounts for military and veteran families as a thank-you for their service. We also occasionally offer discounts or promotions on our website. Subscribe to marketing text messages or emails for access! 

Yes, of course! Order one candle or 12. We’re grateful for your business, no matter which product lines are your favorite. 

You can buy our non-toxic candles right here on our website: https://whollycowmarket.com/ We also have booths at various farmer’s markets in Kansas and tradeshows, but we happily ship orders all over the continental US from our website. Follow us on Instagram or FaceBook for information on upcoming events.

Yes! We do. See our Non-toxic Candles page for all the details.