What Are Better Homes And Gardens Candles Made Of?

ByLily King

Better Homes and Gardens is an iconic lifestyle brand that first started in 1922 as a magazine focused on homes, food, and gardening. According to the Better Homes and Gardens website, it quickly became one of America’s most popular magazines. Over the years, Better Homes and Gardens expanded into a multi-platform brand with a wide range of home, food, and lifestyle products.

Today, Better Homes and Gardens reaches over 40 million consumers every month through its print magazine, website, mobile apps, social media channels, and licensed product lines. It provides ideas and inspiration around home decoration, home improvement, gardening, recipes, entertaining, and family life. Some of their most popular branded products beyond the magazine include candles, cookware, bedding, and furniture.

Candle Lines

Better Homes and Gardens offers several different candle lines that vary in size, shape, scent, and price point.

Some of their most popular candle lines include:

Their candle offerings also include tealight candles, scented wax melts, candle holders, and festive seasonal/holiday collections.

Wax Types

Different types of waxes are used to make Better Homes and Gardens candles. The most common wax types are paraffin wax, soy wax, and beeswax.

Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum. It is inexpensive, readily available, and easy to work with. Paraffin candles burn cleanly and are highly fragrant. However, paraffin wax releases toxins when burned and is not environmentally friendly (source).

Soy wax is made from soybeans. It is renewable and biodegradable. Soy candles burn slower and cooler than paraffin candles, producing less soot. However, soy wax is prone to frosting and can be tricky to work with (source).

Beeswax is all-natural wax made by honeybees. It has a lovely natural honey aroma when burned. Beeswax candles burn longer than other types of wax. However, beeswax is expensive and difficult to source ethically (source).

Many candlemakers blend waxes to balance the pros and cons of each type. Popular blends include soy-paraffin and soy-beeswax.

Wicks

The wick is a crucial component of a candle that impacts the burn time and scent throw. Better Homes and Gardens candles use high-quality wicks made from materials like cotton, paper, wood, and zinc or tin cores (Elements of a Candle: Wicks). Cotton wicks are common in jars, pillars, votives, and devotional lights. The wick material impacts how quickly the wax melts and how the fragrance disperses. For example, wood wicks crackle when lit and help fragrances fill a room.

The width of the wick also affects the burn rate and hotness of the flame. Wider wicks usually burn faster and hotter. Better Homes and Gardens likely uses tested wick sizes optimized for each candle style to ensure a consistent burn time, minimize smoking, and fully release the candle’s fragrance. The wick is as important as the wax and fragrance in producing a high quality candle.

Scents and Oils

Better Homes and Gardens candles use both natural and synthetic fragrances to create their scented candle lines. Natural fragrances are derived from essential oils, extracts, and absolutes from plants, fruits, and flowers. Some common natural scent categories include floral, fruity, herbaceous, woody, and earthy. Synthetic fragrances are created in a lab to mimic natural scents or produce novel aromas. They allow for more consistency and control in candle production. Some popular synthetic fragrance types found in BHG candles include gourmand, ocean, amber, and linen. While natural fragrances are often preferred by consumers, synthetic fragrances have their benefits as well. BHG aims for a blend of natural and synthetic in their candle scents to balance authenticity with performance.

BHG candles feature a wide variety of scents across their seasonal collections and signature lines like Cozy Night In and Farmhouse. Classic scent families like vanilla, apple, rose, and lavender make frequent appearances. Trending categories like coffee, cotton, and teakwood are also popular. With both natural and synthetic fragrance components, BHG produces recognizable, crowd-pleasing scents that make their candles best-sellers year after year. Whether shoppers prefer tried-and-true aromas or new discoveries, there’s sure to be a BHG candle scent that fits their nose and brings joy when lit.

Jars and Containers

The most common jars and containers used for Better Homes and Gardens candles include glass, metal, and ceramic. The type of container affects how the candle burns and the aesthetic appeal.

glass, metal, and ceramic are common containers for better homes and gardens candles

Glass containers are popular for their sleek look and ability to see the candle wax. Glass conducts heat well to help the candle burn evenly and fully down to the bottom. Common glass jars used are mason jars and hexagon jars. Glass comes in clear and colored varieties. It is fragile so care must be taken in shipping and handling.

Metal containers like tins and aluminum are durable and conduct heat efficiently for even burning. The metal gives an industrial feel. However, the sides of metal containers can get hot to the touch. The opaque metal does not allow seeing the candle wax.

Ceramic vessels provide a natural, rustic aesthetic. However the irregular shape and thickness of ceramic does not conduct heat as evenly. This can result in tunneling or poor wax melt. Ceramic is more fragile than metal or glass.

The container’s material impacts the safety, melting, and look of Better Homes and Gardens candles. Glass and metal tend to have the best performance while ceramic offers a unique visual flair.

Production Process

The production process for Better Homes & Gardens candles involves several key steps:

First, the wax is measured out and melted in a double boiler or wax melter. Paraffin wax is commonly used, as it is cost effective, burns cleanly, and holds fragrance well. Once the wax is fully melted, coloring and fragrance oils are added and blended in.1

Next, the wick is inserted into the glass jar, tin, or other container. The container may be heated beforehand to help the wax adhere to the sides. With the wick centered, the wax mixture is carefully poured into the vessel. Any air bubbles are removed with a heat gun or lighter.2

The candles are then left undisturbed to fully set and cure, which can take up to two weeks. During this time, the wax shrinks slightly and pulls tighter around the wick. Proper curing helps prevent issues like tunneling when the candle is burned. Once cured, decorative labels can be applied.3

Quality control checks are performed throughout the process. Characteristics like fragrance throw, Even burn, and aesthetic appearance are evaluated before the finished candles are packaged for sale and distribution.

Safety

When burning candles, it’s important to follow proper fire safety guidelines to prevent accidents and injuries. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), candles cause an estimated 7,000 house fires every year in the United States (Source).

To safely burn candles, the NFPA recommends keeping them at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn, like curtains, furniture, bedding, paper, flammable decorations, etc. It’s also advised to burn candles in sturdy fire-resistant holders that won’t tip over easily. Never leave a burning candle unattended, and extinguish candles before leaving a room or going to bed (Source).

Proper storage of candles when not in use is also important. Store candles in a cool, dry place out of reach of children and pets. Keep wicks trimmed to 1⁄4 inch to avoid high flames, and make sure jar candles are free of wax drips before lighting to prevent glass cracking from overheating (Source). With some basic safety precautions, candles can be enjoyed safely.

Environmental Impact

Better Homes and Gardens candles aim to have a positive environmental impact through the use of recyclable materials and ethically sourced ingredients. The jars used for the candles are made from recycled glass, reducing waste and energy use compared to creating new glass (https://www.sanaricandle.com/eco-friendly-candles). The soy wax and other plant-based waxes are ethically sourced from environmentally responsible suppliers. Beeswax is sourced from beekeepers using sustainable practices. Essential oils and fragrance oils are natural and free of harmful chemicals. The cotton wicks are lead-free and minimize soot. Overall, great care is taken in selecting candle ingredients that are renewable, sustainable, and non-toxic (https://www.amazon.com/eco-friendly-candles/s?k=eco+friendly+candles). Consumers can feel good about choosing Better Homes and Gardens candles as an environmentally responsible option.

Conclusion

Better Homes and Gardens candles offer an appealing combination of quality and affordability that has made them a popular choice for many consumers. As we’ve seen, BHG candles are thoughtfully crafted from quality waxes, wicks, scents, and vessels to provide a satisfying candle experience. Key features include the use of paraffin, soy, and beeswax; lead-free cotton and paper fiber wicks; natural and synthetic fragrance oils; and stylish yet functional glass and metal containers. Throughout the production process, care is taken to ensure safety, performance, and aesthetic appeal. Ultimately, the use of quality ingredients and thoughtful design allows Better Homes and Gardens candles to deliver exceptional ambiance and fragrance at a reasonable price point.

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