What Do We Mean by “Clean Scent”?

If you’ve followed The Gilded Hive for a while, you know we’re passionate about creating candles, wax melts, and room sprays that are not only beautiful but also safe for your home. One phrase you’ll see us use often is “clean scent.” But what does that actually mean?

Here’s the truth: the phrase clean scent isn’t formally defined by any major fragrance or candle safety organization. Neither the International Fragrance Association (IFRA), the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM), nor the National Candle Association (NCA) has created a standard for what qualifies as a “clean” fragrance.

Because there’s no industry-wide definition, our oil vendor established their own Clean Scent Standard - and it’s one we proudly stand behind at The Gilded Hive. This standard goes above and beyond what’s required by law, prioritizing transparency and consumer trust so you can feel confident about the products you bring into your home.

🐝 OUR Clean Scent Standards

• No FDA-banned antimicrobials: Our fragrances never contain any of the 19 antimicrobial chemicals banned by the FDA since 2016.

• Proposition 65 compliance: None of our scents contain levels of the 900+ chemicals on California’s Proposition 65 list above the state’s Safe Harbor thresholds (as set by OEHHA). If a safe level isn’t listed, our vendor enforces a self-imposed cap of less than 0.5%.

• No OSHA-listed hazards: Over 125 ingredients flagged by OSHA as potentially harmful are completely excluded from our fragrance library.

🚫 What We Leave Out

Our Clean Scent line is carefully formulated to exclude, at levels above Safe Harbor limits, any substance classified as:

• Carcinogens – linked to cancer

• Mutagens – capable of altering or damaging DNA

• Reproductive toxins – harmful to fertility or reproductive health

• Organ toxins – harmful to specific organs

• Acute toxins – dangerous even in a single exposure

• Endocrine disruptors – chemicals that interfere with hormones and reproductive health

🌿 Why This Matters

We know that “non-toxic” and “clean” are more than just trendy buzzwords. They represent your desire to protect yourself, your family, and your home environment. With The Gilded Hive, you can feel good knowing that our oils are thoughtfully selected and rigorously screened—meeting the strict Clean Scent Standard.

This is our promise to you: Luxury scents without compromise.