Are Glade Candles Any Good?

Glade candles first appeared in 1956 and were created by the S.C. Johnson company, which is known for household products like Pledge, OFF!, and Windex. The Glade brand started with aerosol air fresheners but eventually expanded into candles, plug-in refills, and other home fragrance products. Today, Glade is one of the most popular brands for scented candles and home fragrance items in the United States.

This article provides an in-depth look at Glade candles. It will cover topics like the ingredients and scents used in the candles, safety information, reviews from other users, pricing and availability, and alternatives to Glade candles. The goal is to provide readers with a comprehensive resource to help them determine if Glade candles are a good choice for their home.

Glade Candle Origins

Glade candles were first created in 1956 by S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc, a family-owned consumer product company that was founded in 1886. The Glade brand started with a focus on household air fresheners that were designed to help eliminate cooking, pet, and tobacco smells from homes (Glade (brand) – Wikipedia).

The origins of the Glade brand and product line were inspired by the idea of bringing pleasant scents and freshness into the home. In the 1950s, post-war economic growth meant more families could afford household conveniences like air conditioning. With more sealed and climate controlled home environments, there was a need for better indoor air quality and odor elimination (Home Fragrances History – Air Fresheners – Elle Decor).

The first Glade products were aerosol sprays launched in 1956. The product line soon expanded to include solid deodorizer products like the iconic Glade Cone air fresheners in 1959. For over 60 years, SC Johnson has continued to innovate the Glade brand’s offerings for home scent solutions.

Glade Candle Ingredients

Glade candles are made with a variety of ingredients to provide fragrance and burn properly. The main ingredients in Glade candles include:

• Fragrance oils – Glade infuses its candles with essential oils and synthetic fragrance oils to provide scent when burned. Popular scent options include Clean Linen, Hawaiian Breeze, Apple Cinnamon, among others (https://www.glade.com/en-us/products/candle).
• Soy wax – Many Glade candles use soy wax rather than paraffin wax as the main fuel source. Soy wax is made from soybeans and is a renewable and environmentally friendly option (https://www.whatsinsidescjohnson.com/us/en/brands/glade/candle—angel-whispers).
• Cotton wicks – Glade candles use braided cotton wicks to draw up the wax which provides an even, controlled burn.

Other ingredients may include paraffin wax for rigidity, stabilizers, and dyes. However, Glade aims to use ingredients like soy wax and essential oils to appeal to environmentally-conscious consumers.

Glade Candle Scents

Glade offers a wide range of scents across its various candle lines. Some of their most popular everyday scents include Fresh Linen, Clean Linen, and Apple Cinnamon (Source: https://www.thetoptens.com/glade-candle-scents/). These scents are known for being pleasant, long-lasting, and work well in any room.

Glade also releases seasonal and limited edition scents. For example, around the holidays they offer scents like Frosted Pine, Holiday Sparkle, and Cinnamon Spice. Their limited edition scents change yearly and are often inspired by food, nature, and memories (Source: https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/B2FC9F06-FE3A-4AD1-B4FF-05D269ED64FB).

Glade uses proprietary fragrances and scent-release technology in their candles to fill a room with long-lasting fragrance. Their fragrances are designed to be noticed but not overpowering. The candles are formulated to melt slowly and evenly to release fragrance consistently over the life of the candle (Source: https://www.glade.com/en-us/products/candle).

Glade Candle Safety

There have been some concerns over the years regarding the synthetic fragrances used in Glade candles. Certain chemical ingredients found in artificial scents have been associated with headaches, allergies, and respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals (NY Times). However, studies on indoor air quality have not found dangerous levels of pollutants from burning scented candles occasionally (Quora).

To be safe when using Glade candles, it’s recommended to follow usage guidelines. Burn candles in well-ventilated rooms, keep away from drafty areas, trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting, and don’t burn for more than 4 hours at a time. Also take care not to touch wax while melting and place on heat-safe surfaces. Following safety precautions can help minimize risks and enjoy candles responsibly.

Glade Candle Reviews

On Amazon, Glade candles tend to receive mostly positive reviews, with an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars. Many reviewers praise the strong, pleasant scents of Glade candles and say they do a good job of filling a room with fragrance (source). Some popular scents highlighted in reviews include Clean Linen, Apple Cinnamon, and Cashmere Woods.

According to reviews on Influenster, common pros of Glade candles include the affordable price point, long-lasting scents, and variety of fragrance options available (source). Many reviewers mention the candles have a strong initial scent throw when first lit. Potential cons mentioned include the scent not filling larger rooms as well as some reviewers finding the fragrances overly strong or artificial smelling.

Overall, most reviews suggest Glade candles offer quality scents at an affordable price point. While the intensity of the fragrance may vary across specific scents, many reviewers agree Glade candles effectively provide noticeable fragrance in a room.

Glade Candle Alternatives

If you’re looking for alternatives to Glade candles, there are many high-quality candle brands to consider. According to the Wirecutter, some of the top candle brands include Boy Smells, Voluspa, Diptyque, and Nest New York (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-candles/). The candle reviewer community also praises brands like Otherland and Capri Blue for their innovative scents and beautiful packaging (https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/g27912682/best-candle-brands/).

You can also make homemade candles using candle making kits. This allows you to customize scents and avoid any potentially harmful chemicals. Look for kits with all the supplies you need, like wax, wicks, fragrance oils, and jars.

Finally, essential oil diffusers are another Glade alternative. Diffusers distribute essential oils into the air to provide aroma therapy benefits. Popular brands like Vitruvi and InnoGear make high-quality, quiet diffusers in various styles.

Glade Candle Prices

Glade candles come in a variety of sizes and packages, ranging in price from around $1 to $10 depending on where you shop. Here are some average Glade candle prices:

Small, single jar candles (3-5 oz) generally range from $1-3 at major retailers like Walmart (source). The 3.4 oz Clean Linen jar candle, for example, costs $1.97 at Walmart.

Larger, single jar candles (8-14 oz) are usually $4-6 at Walmart and Amazon (source). The 14.5 oz Clean Linen jar candle is $5.97 at Walmart.

2-packs of smaller, single wick candles (2 x 3.4 oz) cost around $3-5 at most major retailers. A 2-pack of Apple Cinnamon jar candles is $4.88 on Amazon (source).

Larger packs with 3-4 candles generally range from $5-10. A 3-pack of the smaller candles costs around $5-7, while a 4-pack of the larger candles is usually $8-10.

Glade also offers limited edition and seasonal candle collections that are slightly more expensive. Their holiday candles are usually $5-15 depending on size and packaging.

In terms of deals, Glade candles frequently go on sale for $1-2 off regular prices at major retailers. It’s common to find Buy One Get One Free sales as well. Signing up for rewards programs like Walmart+ can provide additional savings on Glade candles.

Overall, Glade candles tend to be very affordable and competitively priced with other leading air freshener brands. Taking advantage of sales and buying in bulk packs provides the best value for Glade candle prices.

Where To Buy Glade Candles

Glade candles are widely available at many major retailers in the United States. Some of the most popular places to buy Glade candles include:

Grocery Stores: Glade candles can be found at most major grocery store chains such as Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Food Lion, and more. The candle selection may vary by location, but most grocery stores carry the core Glade scents.

Superstores: Retailers like Walmart [1] and Target [2] have extensive Glade candle selections in stores and online. They carry various sizes, shapes, scents, and multipacks.

Online Retailers: In addition to Walmart and Target, Glade candles can be purchased from Amazon, eBay, and directly from the Glade website. Online shopping allows access to special/limited edition scents.

Availability of specific scents and products varies by location and retailer. However, the most popular everyday fragrances like Clean Linen, Apple Cinnamon, and Fresh Cut Roses are widely available. Seasonal scents may sell out fast. Checking inventory online before visiting a store can be helpful.

Conclusion

In summary, Glade candles have been popular scenting products for decades thanks to their wide variety of pleasant fragrances at affordable prices. While they may not be natural or made with the most high-quality ingredients, Glade candles provide an effective way to add appealing aromas to any space. The key selling points of Glade candles are their intense, long-lasting scents, fun decorative jars, and accessibility in major retailers. With proper precautions like ventilation and not leaving them unattended, Glade candles can be enjoyed safely.

Overall, Glade candles are a solid choice if you’re looking for an inexpensive, strong-scented candle. While some consumers may prefer natural soy or beeswax candles, Glade offers great fragrances that permeate rooms effectively. Just be sure to follow safety guidelines and never leave the candles burning unattended. For an easy way to make any room smell great on a budget, Glade candles are a good option worth considering.