By Alex Thorne | Odor Control and Wellness Specialist
The Battlefield: Odors vs. Chemistry
Stubborn pet and smoke odors persist because volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, cling to soft surfaces and linger in indoor air. The U.S. EPA lists VOCs as a core indoor air concern. Modest & Co. focuses on chemistry that reduces these compounds rather than masking them with heavy fragrance.
Ignition: What the First Flame Really Does
Lighting a candle melts nearby wax and creates a controlled pool. In our candles, coconut apricot wax forms a smooth, even melt that supports steady diffusion of active ingredients. The goal is a clean burn that helps ingredients reach odor hot spots without adding soot or aggressive perfume.
Liquefaction: A Cleaner Path for Active Ingredients
As the wax liquefies, ingredients are released from the melt pool and circulate with normal room air movement. The even burn profile of coconut apricot wax helps keep this release consistent across the entire surface, supporting whole-room freshness rather than a fragrance spike near the jar.
Activation Sequence: Neutralizing Odors at the Source
Odor control is about chemistry. Enzyme-based approaches work via lock-and-key interactions that lower the energy needed to break specific bonds in odor molecules (NIH/NCBI). In practice, our system is designed so the heat of the flame assists diffusion while the formulation targets the compounds that make rooms smell stale.
Victory: Lasting Freshness Without Over-Perfume
Because the objective is neutralization, the air feels lighter instead of perfumed. That is why many customers pair a candle for ambient control with an Odor Killa spray for direct spots. The combination handles both surfaces and the air, restoring a comfortable baseline for homes with pets.
How to Use for Best Results
- Trim the wick to about 1/4 inch before every burn.
- Let the first burn reach the edge of the vessel to set an even melt memory.
- Use a spray on fabrics or carpets, then light a candle for ambient maintenance.
FAQs
Does heat make odor control work better?
Heat helps form a stable melt pool and supports even diffusion. The chemistry then handles odor reduction.
Why coconut apricot wax?
It burns cleanly and evenly, which helps performance and avoids a heavy perfume cloud.
Can I combine sprays and candles?
Yes. Sprays target sources on surfaces while a candle maintains room-wide freshness.