Frequently Asked Questions.
After burning, my wick has a mushroom-type head on it. Is this bad?
A mushroom-type head that forms on a burning wick is a build-up of carbon. Certain wicks tend to produce this effect when the candle is richly-scented. Usually, if a mushrooming-type wick is used, there is a greater benefit such as a slower burning candle.
As with any wick on any candle, the carbon build-up can eventually fall into the melt pool and sink to the bottom. Allowing this to happen is not proper candle care and may cause a fire hazard. This concern can be eliminated by always keeping candle wicks trimmed to 5mm.
Do soy candles produce soot?
No candle is entirely soot free.
However, the good news is that candles made with natural waxes do have significantly less soot than paraffin. And the soot they produce is a lighter, white soot that cannot always be seen. The black soot on the glass rim in all-natural candles typically comes from a wick problem, not petroleum pollutants like in paraffin wax.
To keep the soot to a minimum, remember to only burn candles one (1) hour for every inch of it's diameter, keep the wick trimmed to 5mm and keep the candle out of drafts.
It is very important that neither wick trimmings or matches are left in the candle wax. This will definitely cause black soot.
Allow enough air flow around the candle by not burning it in a small space. Doing so will inhibit the amount of oxygen around the wick of the candle and this may cause black soot to form.
Black soot may also appear around the rim and on the sides from tilting the candle when lighting the wick. Try using a refillable, butane lighter with an extended nozzle instead of matches or small lighters.
How long should I burn my candle?
Soy wax has a memory and should be allowed to achieve a full melt pool on it's very first burn. If it is extinguished prior to allowing a full melt pool, all subsequent melt pools will not go past the first one.
To create a full melt pool, burn the candle for a minimum of one (1) hour for every inch of its diameter. All future burns should follow the first one's path and melt fully to the sides. And depending on the diameter of the container, those future burns should be no longer than four (4) hours. Just follow the rule for creating a melt pool to calculate the length of time a candle can burn safely.
My candle flame is huge and smoking like crazy! What should I do?
Immediately extinguish a candle that has a wild flame. Smoking and a large, flashing flame is dangerous and a sign that something is wrong.
For either problem, the cause may be a wick needing a trim or excess oxygen fanning the flame. If your wick is already trimmed to 5mm, then check for a draft. Heating vents, ceiling fans, windows or even a heavily used walkway or doorway can provide enough extra oxygen to cause a candle to smoke and produce a wild flame.
My soy candle seems to be sweating. What is this?
Soy wax will sometimes release excess oil, especially during significant temperature changes. This often happens after shipping across the country. Generally, a small pool of moisture will form on the top of the candle. This will not affect the candle in any way and will not usually reappear after the initial burn.
To remove the oil, use a paper towel to gently wipe it clean. And always remember to store your soy candles in a cool place, out of direct sunlight.
My votive just melted all over the place. Why didn't it keep its shape?
BougieLights votives are made with all-natural soy wax that has been specially manufactured to hold it's shape outside of a container. However, once the wax has been heated from the wick, the soy wax will soften to the point where it cannot hold it's shape any longer. Most people are familiar with the way a paraffin votive holds it's shape as it burns. However, soy votives must always be burned in a protective holder to prevent a fire hazard and to keep the wax from making a huge mess.
What are the benefits of soy wax?
Soy wax is made from the beans of the soy plant. A crop that is completely renewable. This vegetable wax burns cleaner and without emiting the toxins of paraffin wax. Also, soy wax burns at a lower temperature than candles made with paraffin wax. Importantly this lower temperature allows the candles to diffuse the essential oils contained within them rather than burn them. An added benefits is the longer burn time of the candle. Additionally, because of the lower temperature at which a soy candle burns, and if the candle is "wicked" properly, the soy candle will leave minimal wax residue on the sides of the container as it burns. Soy wax is biodegradable and just plain environmentally-friendly!
In addition to soy and paraffin candles, there are candles made with "soy-blends". This is a combination wax created by mixing paraffin and soy together. Be aware that a candle can be called a soy candle with as little as 25% soy wax.
What exactly is in a BougieLights candle?
Each BougieLights soy candle is individually hand-poured using 100% soy wax only. They contain no paraffin or carrier oils. They are dye-free and use only cotton wicks, (which do not contain lead). This is the totally natural plant base foundation of our candles. They contain no paraffin or other petrochemical bi-products.
The soy candles in our Aromatherapy Collection are created using the simple base above with the addition of the highest-quality 100% pure essential oils. Our unique perfumes are hand blended to produce a completely natural candle which not only smells divine but imparts all the therapeutic virtues of the essential oils contained in it.
Why does my soy candle look frosty?
Frosting or ‘Bloom’ is a natural characteristic of soy and it is strictly unique to pure soy candles. Frosting does not effect the scent throw or the burning properties of the candle. You can safely burn a candle with frosting.
To minimize frosting, try to keep your candle out of direct sunlight and florescent lighting. Even changes in the weather can cause additional frosting. It is almost impossible to stop the soy wax from blooming. It's just one of the natural features of this wonderful wax.
Why is my candle leaving so much wax on the sides of the container?
A soy candle burning straight down the centre, creating a tunnel, was not allowed to achieve a full melt pool on its first burn. All-natural soy wax has a memory and if a soy candle is extinguished prior to allowing a full melt pool, all subsequent melt pools will not go past the first one.
To leave the least amount of wax on the sides of the container, go for the full melt pool on the first burn. Just remember to burn the candle for a minimum of one (1) hour for every inch of it's diameter to get it. All future burns should follow the first one's path.