Natural soy candle that clears cooking smells: Offgray REFRESH Earth

When I invite friends or family over, or just want to relax at home after work, there's one thing besides cleaning that I always care about: how my home smells. Cleaning matters, but finishing with a nice scent makes you feel fresh too, right? And it's fun to pick a different scent depending on my mood.

So I own diffusers, deodorizers and candles from lots of brands, but when I need to get rid of things like food smells, candles seem to work best. Recently I discovered a fun, pretty candle themed on yin-yang and the five elements, and I've been using it a lot, so here's my review.

What wax and fragrance does an Offgray candle use?

The Offgray candle is a soy wax candle with a wood wick. For my health, I always prefer natural soy candles over paraffin wax ones when I choose candles.

Also, I've heard that synthetic fragrances are petrochemical-based and don't leave the body easily, so it's reassuring that Offgray says it uses natural aroma oils rather than artificial fragrance.

Can you pick a candle scent to match your Saju?

Offgray's scents are built around yin-yang and the five elements, so you can choose one to match your Saju. Honestly, that's exactly why I picked it: "Choosing a scent by my Saju? Sounds fun!" haha. My chart happens to be lacking Earth (土), so I chose the Earth scent in the REFRESH line. Somehow it feels like it'll fill in what my chart is missing.

And it's not just the theme: Offgray's founder studied Chinese medicine and is an aromatherapist, and reportedly created the scents based on aromatherapy, a branch of Eastern and alternative medicine!

I'm serious about choosing aromas when I go for massages, too, so being able to pick the aroma in a candle to match my five elements makes me feel like good things are about to happen. The mood-boosting effect is definitely real, haha.

Does the Offgray candle design suit your interior?

What I like most about using the Offgray candle is the minimal, stylish design and color that never spoil the interior wherever I put it. I mostly burn it on the dining table after meals to clear food smells, or in the master bedroom before bed so the room smells nice, and it looks pretty like an objet wherever it sits.

The candle also has a lid, so you can keep it closed when not in use. Less of the scent escapes, it looks tidy, and to put the flame out you just cover it with the lid, which is super convenient. 👍

What does the REFRESH 土 scent smell like?

Offgray REFRESH 土 is a sweet, bright citrus-type scent. Mine is REFRESH from the Life line, chosen by looking at Earth (土) in the five elements. I usually prefer heavier scents over floral or citrus ones; woody or nature-like scents don't give me a headache.

But REFRESH's citrus isn't strong or nose-stinging, and maybe because it contains lavandin (a type of lavender, apparently), it smells elegant and soft!! With the weather getting hotter, I've been using this cool, sweet Offgray candle more than the heavy woody candles I already had.

Does it remove food smells after cooking?

The Offgray candle is good at deodorizing too, and lighting it after cooking has become my routine! The food smell disappears completely and a faintly fresh scent lingers in the kitchen.

Offgray candle verdict and who it suits

• It's a soy wax candle that is gentle on the body, and the natural aroma oils make it eco-friendly
• The design looks pretty wherever you put it
• The five-elements theme made buying by Saju fun
• The scent doesn't cause headaches and smells elegant