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  • Thanks for dropping by. Grab a cuppa, get comfy, and check out our selection of premium soy candles and melts, all made locally in the Isle of Man.

  • Free IOM delivery on all orders over £10.00. Free UK delivery on all orders over £50.00

  • Join the Clean Candle Community

  • Treat yourself to our Candle or Wax Melt workshops

Best ways to maintain a candle

What steps can I take to ensure a candle maintains its quality?

All our candles are thoroughly tested prior to launching therefore if any of the problems listed below occur, they should be minimal.  If you have a major problem, then please contact us.

The candle has discoloured

Candles may become discoloured or fade when exposed to intense light for extended periods, or if stored in warm or humid areas. To preserve the candles appearance, avoid displaying it in direct sunlight, fluorescent lighting, or other strong illumination for long periods of time.

Additionally, wax will soften in high temperatures, so it's important to store candles in a cool, dry place if they are not in use for an extended period.

My candle is leaving lots of wax on the sides of the container after burning it. Why?

Burning a candle can sometimes result in a slight "hang-up" around the edges of the candle, which is normal. However, 'tunneling' (burning a hole down the middle of the candle) could mean there is a problem.

Tunneling can occur due to several factors, such as poorly made candles or a mistake in the production of the wick. To reduce the chances of tunneling, we use premium ingredients and test all of our recipes, including wax, fragrance, and wicks, together.

To ensure that your candle is burning correctly, it is best to burn it until the wax pool reaches the edge of the container. This typically takes around 3-4 hours, depending on the container and the number of wicks.

Even if the wax pool barely reaches the edge, it is important to let the candle burn for the full duration. If there is a slight 'hang-up', this should self-correct as it burns down, however if there is 'tunneling', it may not be able to.

Why do I sometimes get small puffs of smoke coming from my wick and flame?

If your candle is producing puffs of smoke, there are a couple of possible explanations. First, make sure the wick is trimmed before each burn to maximum of 1cm. This is important for keeping the flame burning properly and preventing smoke.

Additionally, drafts can also cause the flame to flicker and produce smoke. Examples of this could be when the candle is placed near a window, door, vent, or in a spot where people frequently pass by. Unless the smoke is constant, there is no need to worry.

There is a mushroom bloom head on my wick after burning? What is it?

A carbon build-up, often referred to as a "mushroom" head, is a common occurrence when burning any type of wax with a cotton wick, especially highly fragranced candles. As the fragrance oil travels up the wick while it burns, it can cause excess carbon to build up.

To prevent this build-up from occurring, it is important to remember to trim the wick before re-lighting the candle.  It is also essential to wait for the candle to cool and harden before attempting to trim the wick, as wick debris could fall into the wax.

Ultimately, the mushroom is a reminder that it is time to give the candle a trim.

Do I really need to trim the wick?

For the most part, you should trim your candle wick to about 1cm before lighting it, especially if you notice a carbon mushroom on top of the wick.

Also, if the flame is getting too large, producing smoke or soot, extinguish the candle, trim the wick and relight.

Why do most candles say to discontinue using the candle when a half inch of wax remains in the bottom?

For safety reasons, it is important to always burn candles on heat-resistant surfaces and to extinguish and discontinue when there is no less than half an inch of wax, typically this is the top of the wick holder.

The reason for this is because the glass may become too hot on the bottom as the wick nears the base, potentially causing cracking, breaking, or other damage.  Both candle makers and retailers typically recommend this practice.

How can I avoid making the candle smoke when I extinguish the flame?

If you don't have a 'wick snuffer', then the best way to extinguish the flame is to use a spoon or something similar. Hold the spoon over the flame for a few seconds and the flame should die out.

Be sure to avoid blowing out the flame, which will cause excessive smoke.

Can I refill or re-use my candle jars and containers when they are empty?

If you have an empty candle jar, you're in luck! Candle refills are an easy and sustainable way to reuse your empty candle jar. and we'd be happy to refill it for you.  Please visit our Candle Refill section for more information.

Not only are candle jars great for holding aromatic candles, but they also make wonderful storage containers and decorative pieces around the house.  Fill them with buttons, cotton balls, potpourri, seashells, or anything else you'd like to proudly display.

What type of wax do you use?

Unlike some of the popular large brand scented candles which are made from paraffin/paraffin blend waxes, or a softer wax such as Coconut or Rapeseed/blend wax which burns rather quickly, our candles are made with a 100% soy wax specially formulated for a soft, creamy look in container candles. This wax provides a clean, long-lasting burn.

Our wax also has a great scent throw with fragrances, and the creamy white wax colour can sometimes bloom (frosting) when candle dyes have been included. This is perfectly normal and does not effect the quality of the candle.

Our soy wax is sustainably sourced and grown in the USA, making it a more transparent option than soy wax from other sources like South America. Not only that, our soy wax is also GMO-free, with tests returning ND (not detected) results for GM material.  We take pride in the fact that our soy wax is helping to reduce deforestation and preserve the environment.

Don't be fooled by candles labelled "parasoy," or "mineral blend" which means that Paraffin has been included in the wax. Even though these candles contain less paraffin than regular paraffin candles, they still emit toxic chemicals like benzene and toluene when burned. The same toxins are found in diesel fuel fumes and have been linked to asthma and even lung cancer. For a safer option, choose candles made from natural waxes such as beeswax or soy.

What type of Wicks do you use?

We offer a variety of wicks to suit different needs. Our selection includes cotton core, flat braid, and if I can find a sustainable source, maybe wood wicks, each offering unique advantages. Cotton core wicks are rigid, helping keep the wick centered. Flat braid and wood wicks both provide smoke and soot resistance.

Whatever your requirements, we have the right wick for you.

What are Top Notes. Middle Notes and Bottom Notes?

Top Notes - This is the fragrance that's picked up immediately, forming your first impression of the scent. They are the lightest and most volatile components of the fragrance, evaporating relatively quickly.

Middle Notes - Starts to come through once the Top Notes evaporate. Usually, the most dominant notes of the fragrance and form its core, with an aroma that lingers longer than the Top Notes. They serve as a bridge between the initial burst of fragrance and the longer-lasting base notes.

Bottom Notes - The longest lasting fragrance. These notes are often described as the foundation or the base of the fragrance. Bottom notes provide depth, complexity, and longevity to the overall scent profile of a candle.