For most people, using scented candles is a way of relaxing as well as a tool for creating a cosy atmosphere at home. Those who use scented candles regularly, usually know how different fragrances can affect mood so they can use the best candles when needed. If you are one of those people, you must know the unique citronella candles. But if you ever wondered about its proper use, this post is for you. Let’s see if you can use citronella candles indoor!
What is citronella candle?
Citronella candles are made by using citronella, lemon or lemongrass essential oils or pre-made fragrance oils. The purpose of this type of candle is to repel mosquitoes when enjoying an outdoor evening. Whether it’s a lovely candlelit dinner under the stars or a grill party with friends, enjoying summer evenings is one of the greatest things. However, mosquitoes and other bugs can easily ruin it for us. This is where citronella candle comes to the picture!
But how does it really work? Citronella candle can mask our own scent so mosquitoes are not drawn to us while we are sitting outdoor. Through this feature, citronella candle is a healthy alternative to the chemical products you can purchase. So if you also like to choose healthy and natural alternatives, citronella candles might be your solution.
Can I use it indoors?
As seen above, citronella candles are mostly made to be used outdoors. But still, you might ask yourself whether you can use it indoors as well. During summer, it is always good to have extra protection against mosquitoes indoor as well. Well, you’ll be happy to hear that originally you can use citronella candles indoor. According to EPA, citronella candles are not harmful to human health, so you are safe. The reason is that citronella candles simply have the same risks as any other scented candles. However, most of the time this type of candle tends to burn with more smoke which can cause problems when using indoors. Firstly, it can lead to poor air quality indoors, which is not ideal on the long term. Secondly, it can cause irritation or breathing problems for people who are more sensitive. This can mean either eye or skin irritations, so you should watch out for those allergic reactions.
Apart from your health, it is also worth mentioning, that pets don’t really like such strong scents. So if you have a dog or cat at home, you shouldn’t burn citronella candle indoor. As it can quickly become toxic, you definitely have to avoid using it in this case.
As you can see above, citronella candle is a great healthy alternative to chemical mosquitoe repellent. Keeping your health in mind, using citronella candle outdoors is the best natural bug repellent that you can choose. However, when it comes to burning it inside, you have to be extra cautious. Mostly due to the excessive smoke, it is not as safe as other scented candles.
