We feel that it is important that you get the best from your soy candles. Natural soy wax candles burn slightly differently to standard paraffin candles, so the following advice on how to burn your candles correctly will allow you to achieve the best and safest results possible and will also extend the life and enjoyment of these beautiful candles.

It is important to give the candle a 'memory burn' when burning the candle for the first time. You should burn the candle for 1 hour for each of its diameter. For example: A candle 3" in diameter votive candle should be burned for 3 hours to establish its 'memory'. This allows your candle to establish a full melt pool increasing the scent throw. If a candle isn't given a proper memory burn (meaning if your candle is burned for a short period of time), it will 'tunnel' burn' down the centre and a good scent throw cannot be achieved.

Soy wax is a natural product created from soya beans and other natural botanical ingredients. Candles created from soy wax can be very beautiful, but can have a little frosting on the surface of the candle. This frosting is harmless, and just a natural characteristic of natural soy wax. Sometimes, usually in jar candles containing coloured wax, you will get a frost ring around your candle after the first or second burn. Once again this is perfectly normal and does not affect the burn or the fragrance capabilities of your candle. An off centre wick could cause your candle to burn unevenly. The wick must always be kept centered. If a wick should ever move to one side while burning, extinguish the candle, and reposition the wick to the centre with a spoon, whilst the wax is still soft. Also make sure your wick is centered each time you extinguish your candle.

Drafts or extreme room temperature can also cause an uneven burn, so try moving your candle to a draft free location if you experience uneven burning. Keep the wick trimmed to 1/4". Try not to trim the wick too short though, as the flame can drown when the wax melts around the wick and that can cause a wick to burn itself out.

 No candle can be completely soot free, but soy wax candles do have less soot and more importantly no toxins in the soot. Black soot is caused by a candle that is smoking (in candles this is typically caused by the wick being left un-trimmed) There could be several reasons why you are getting black soot. First and very importantly, make sure that you trim the wick to 1/4" each and every time before you light your candle. Second, make sure that you are not burning your candle in a draft. Any draft of wind will make the candle flame flicker and smoke. Third, when you are trimming your candle wick, do not leave any trimmings in the candle wax. This will cause black soot. Fourth, Ensure that there is enough air space around the candle.

Do not burn in a cubby hole or bookshelf. This inhibits the amount of oxygen that is getting to the wick of the candle and will cause black soot to form. Votive candles must be burned in a appropriate votive holder. If not burned in an appropriate holder, votives will completely liquefy in about 1/2 hour, leaving a big puddle of molten wax! Always remember to use candles responsibly. Make sure they are positioned in a safe location away from curtains and out of reach of children and pets.