The 10 Best & Safest Ways to Make Your Home Smell Good

Our Favorite Candles, Diffusers, & Incense With The Least Amount of Harmful Chemicals
Filed Under > Everyday

The best non toxic candles, diffusers & incense for your home.

Nothing beats walking into a good-smelling home.  Since memories and sentiments are so closely tied to the power of scent, it’s no wonder that we all enjoy noticing wonderful fragrances in a space. But fragrance has recently become one of the dirtiest words in beauty because of a loophole that allows brands to not have to list the ingredients actually included in a fragrance.  In fact, according to The Environmental Working Group, the average fragrance product contained 14 secret chemicals not listed on the label.  But thankfully, many are starting to take notice and there’s more natural, and safer fragrance options than ever.  Which means you can still light your beloved candles, diffusers or incense, to make your home smell good as long as you choose wisely.

A few things to keep in mind: candles are least “toxic” when poured with soy, coconut or beeswax, and when they have wicks that are made from cotton rather than toxic lead.  Double bonus if the candles are using organic, all natural essential oils (like the ones we swear by and diffuse all day long, learn more about those HERE) rather than perfumes.    

In searching out some more natural candle options, I found plenty, but I would be amiss if I didn’t point out that I was thrilled to find out my favorite Volcano candles were soy based with cotton wicks, and fragranced with essential oils.  I may have had a breakdown if that wasn’t the case.  I mean, any post about the best smelling home candles would be incomplete without mention of the Capri Blue Volcano.  There’s a reason why it’s a cult-classic!  

And just like Volcano candles, any post about what it takes to make a good-smelling home without all the toxins would be wrought without me including our favorite essential oils for diffusing, easy incense sticks and palo santo wood (spoiler alert: palo santo is not just for the hippies).  I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the beautiful aromas created through these more all natural, eco-friendly options than your go-to candles (though we’re not going to lie, we’re never going to stop burning candles). 

While we know that you’ll be hard pressed to find any candles that are completely toxin free, we think we rounded up a great bunch of safer options which you can browse via our scrolling widget below.  Then be sure to read about our top ten picks, including why we love each one.  I’d love to know what your go-to method of home fragrance is!  Cheers, Kat 

SHOP THE STORY  / CLICK LEFT & RIGHT ARROWS TO EXPLORE

 

  

Signature Blue Volcano Candle

Capri Blue, $34

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Ask anyone; this signature soy wax blend and crowd pleasing scent is one of the most popular candles around. It’s poured into recycled glass vessels, which can be reused long after burning.  Volcano is one of our go-to scents; think tropical fruits and sugared citrus. 

Why we love it:
This candle is a cult-favorite for a reason, and its fragrance is second-to-none.  We just learned that it’s actually all natural too, so we’re beyond excited about the fact that we don’t have to be worried about lighting our favorite candle. It also has a whopping 85-hour burn time, ensuring we can enjoy it for a lovely, long time! 

Bamboo & Ceramic Aroma Diffuser

PurSonic, $102.99

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Here’s a high quality diffuser for an affordable, all natural approach to home fragrance with essential oils. By diffusing essential oils, you’re able to create an environment you love; many blends offer mood-boosting effects, as well as increased productivity, purified air and more. 

Why we love it:
This diffuser is a beautiful way to diffuse our favorite oils (ylang ylang, lavender, orange, lemon, etc.); it’s made with sustainably sourced, hand cut bamboo and elegantly crafted ceramic. Bonus: it has BPA-free plastic inside the design. 

Learn all about joining us on our “oily” journey HERE!

Woodlot "Recharge" Coconut Wax Candle

Woodlot, $26-$36

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This scent is perfect for GSD’ing with aromas of rosemary, mint and peppermint essential oil.  It’s also petroleum free, GMO free, phthalate free in a recyclable class with a 60 hour burn time.

Why we love it:
Not only does this candle meet the ultra-chic criteria for our countertops, it smells absolutely divine. Double bonus for a solid burn time!

 

 

Wellspring Handmade Wood Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffuser

Welledia, $106.99

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Not only can they make a room smell great, diffusers and essential oils can silently purify and humidify the air, creating relaxing, calming, uplifting and energizing effects in the room.  silently purifies and humidifies the air and has an optional night light, making it perfect for night time use and for traveling.

Why we love it:
This one is high quality and aesthetically pleasing; the dark wood blends in well with home decor.  It’s also light and convenient for travel. 

Learn all about joining us on our “oily” journey HERE!

Palo Santo Incense Stick Bundles

Woodlot, $12

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Palo santo is known as “Holy Wood”, and is an eco-friendly incense stick that is harvested from naturally fallen branches off the Palo Santo tree in Equador. To burn, you simply light the end of the stick, spreading the smoke to cleanse and energize the space. 

Why we love it:
Palo santo sticks are an affordable, all natural way to clear your room of negative energy and bad smells. It’s also a great, nontoxic way to ward off mosquitoes! 

Bed & Bath Aroma Diffusers

Enviroscent

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These solvent-free air fresheners use pure essential oils, paper and natural materials to give off a subtle, yet wonderful scent. The Wild Lavender includes “citrus notes carried on a warm breeze waft through lavender tufts, with hints of forest wood and amber.”

Why we love it:
These diffusers are an even easier, more affordable way to enjoy the smells of essential oils without batteries or electricity and sans oil or flame. They’re made with recyclable, compostable paper that’s infused with the oils. With one stick, the smell can be enjoyed for 30+ days in the room. 

Soy Wax Wine Bottle Candle in Rose

Rewined, $29

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These super popular soy wax candles are made from repurposed wine bottles and handcrafted in Charleston.  The rosé candle, in particular, includes notes of rose petal, white peach, pink peppercorn and crisp minerality.

Why we love it: 
It’s a clean, fresh scent that nobody can resist. And the light, feminine feel to the candle makes it a great and easy gift for a friend. 

Lavender Dreams Aroma Diffuser

EcoCandleCo, $32.99

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These easy reed diffusers can’t be beat. They look just as lovely as they smell; this one fittingly titled “Lavender Dreams.”

Why we love it:
The diffuser sticks give off a subtle, natural scent that is exactly what we love for a bathroom, laundry room and bedroom. The beautiful vessel is great to reuse, to. 

'Skylight' Fragrance Candle

Kai, $48

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kai brings us a light, fresh and airy scent that brings none of the toxins (#score). It has notes of gardenia, jasmine, tuberose and lily. This one is the largest of the collection, offering a slow burning, 60-hour wick. 

Why we love it:
This one’s crafted with an all-natural proprietary blend of soy, palm and coconut wax, so we feel good about burning it.  Its intoxicating yet light scent is just the subtle loveliness a room needs.

Jasmine Incense Jar

Waiting on Martha Home, $36

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This jar of 100 incense sticks is a great alternative to candles and diffusers. Each stick has a 30 minute burn time, allowing you to fill the room with intoxicating scent at the drop of a hat. 

Why we love it:
These are SUPER affordable and easy.  The engraved wood lid actually doubles as a burner/holder for the incense sticks too. 

ADDITIONAL CREDITS:

Featured image, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha in Nightstand Essentials

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PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL. WAITING ON MARTHA IS A PLACE FOR POSITIVITY, INSPIRATION, CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM AND HEALTHY DEBATE. THOSE THAT ARE DEEMED INAPPROPRIATE, INCLUDING GENERAL OR SELF-PROMOTIONAL SPAM, OFFENSIVE STATEMENTS, OR COMMENTS UNRELATED TO THE STORY WILL BE DELETED.

  • Jess / 06.11.2017

    Essential oils are not as innocent as previously thought. They are associated with the range of health problems, and may worsen lung, kidney and liver problems.

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