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Soy Candle Care & Safety Tips

Here are some tips to ensure your soy candles perform at their best.

About Soy Candles

 

Care & Safety Tips

What is soy wax?

Soy wax is a clean burning renewable source of wax that is a by-product of the soya bean. This type of wax has a lower melting point and burn temperature than paraffin wax.

Refined soy wax has perfect qualities for blending colour dyes and fragrance oils into candles. Because of these properties, soy wax has a long slow burn that promotes a larger wax pool around the wick of the candle and enhances a clean release of aroma - one of the main advantages of soy candles.

The lower burn temperature is another reason that soy wax candles are a popular choice for candle jars. It’s a popular ingredient in oil burners because of their long lasting scent. Pillar candles made of soy wax need a paraffin wax blend to keep their shape. Natural soy wax is much easier to clean than paraffin wax using soapy water.

This soy wax will eventually degrade under the right circumstances. For more information, contact your local council or waste management centre about how to dispose of the product properly. 

What is the difference between candles made from paraffin wax and soy wax?

Paraffin wax is a petroleum by-product and has a long and high temperature burn. Soy wax candles are made from soybean extracts and have a lower burn temperature.

What should I look for in a good quality soy candle?

The size and number of wicks of the soy candle will determine how long and far the aroma will carry. The intensity of the scent will depend on the percentage of fragrance oil used in making the soy candle. You should be able to select a good candle just as you do a good wine. Trial and test until you find what you like. Fragrance and aroma are personal taste and we have worked on blending popular scents to relax and please you.

Why choose soy candles?      

Scented or fragrant soy candles can create a peaceful mood and atmosphere. They also mask and eliminate unwanted odours.
Soy candles also burn at a cooler temperature. A cooler temperature means quick melting and you will get the smell of fragrance quicker.

What type of wick do KERI soy candles use?

Our soy candles use pure cotton wicks that are lead free and completely safe.

Why are there two wicks in some of the soy candles?

Our larger soy candles have double wicks in order to achieve an even burn pool and avoid “tunnelling”. This also helps our soy candles to release the scent quickly without consuming too much wax. It is important to remember that multi-wick candles will not perform at their best if all the wicks are not lit each time you burn the candle.

What are the fragrances of the soy candles made of?

The fragrances used in our KERI soy candles are a blend of natural elements and essential oils.

Are the fragrances natural?

Yes, the fragrances are 100% natural.

Are KERI soy candles eco-friendly?

Our KERI soy candles have been crafted with natural soy wax (made from soybean vegetable oil) and they have been scented with essential oils.

This product will eventually degrade under the right circumstances. For more information, contact your local council or waste management centre about how to dispose of the product properly. 

Where do the fragrances come from?

We have specially sourced our fragrances made of essential oils from leading Australian & European perfumers. 

Are KERI soy candles suitable for outdoor use?

No. Outdoor candles need to be crafted for that specific purpose. They usually have larger wicks to combat drafts.

How strong is the fragrance intensity of your soy candles?

Different scents will have various levels of intensity and will perform differently due to how they are made or the size of the room they are being used in. Some are designed to fill the room very quickly, others are more subtle. Koch & Co Indulgence Soy Candles perform best after 1 hour of burning because the essential oils heat up and begin to work.

How should I store and care for my soy candles?

Store your soy candles in a cool dry place as soy wax can soften in temperatures over 25 degrees and avoid direct sunlight. Also, keep your candles covered when not in use to avoid dust building up.

Remember, candles are a lifestyle choice and care should be taken when burning soy candles. Don’t leave them unattended. Keep them out of the reach of children and pets. Always position candles on a flat and heat resistance surface.

Is there a recommended burn time for my soy candles?

Yes. The recommended burn time for soy candles is no more than 2 hours at a time.

Should I do a “first burn” with my new soy candles?

Yes, we recommend doing a first burn with any new candle. A “first burn” is when you light a candle for the first time and burn it for a number of hours until a full soy wax pool has formed at the top of the candle. By doing this you will get a long even burn without creating tunnelling. Once this has happened, you are free to blow your soy candle out if desired.

What do I do when my soy candle is not burning evenly?

When more wax can melt than the flame can burn, this makes the wick black. This is called “mushrooming” and occurs with 100% cotton wicks or wooden wicks. Blow your soy candle out, trim the wick, and light it again for an even and efficient burn. Try not to let your wick cuttings fall into the wax pool.

What happens when my soy wax candle has bubbles?

These spots are most likely caused by air bubbles that have formed when the candle was first poured. This is normal to see in natural soy candles and can happen when any candle is poured, regardless of the quality. When this happens the candle is NOT faulty and the burn time will remain unaffected.

Should I burn soy candles all the way to the bottom of the jar?

While burning your soy candle, the ceramic or glass jar becomes very hot. If this continues all the way to the bottom of the jar, it may break. To prevent any safety issues, burn your soy candles to about 1cm from the bottom of the jar and remember to use a candle plate or a similar heat resistant surface to place your soy candles on.

How often should I trim the wick of my soy candles?

Trim your wick after every burn. Do not trim the wick too much as a short wick will create smoke and uneven burning. Approximately 6-10mm should prevent mushrooming.

How long should I wait before I can relight my soy candles?

Allow your candle to cool down before you relight it. This allows the wax pool to solidify and keep an even burn throughout the life of the soy candle.

Can I recycle my soy candle container?

Our soy candle jars are made of glass or ceramic and they can weaken after prolonged periods of heat. We suggest you do not refill your used soy candle jars and recycle them safely. On the other hand, they make great storage jars and pots for air plants. 

How to wash your container once the whole candle has melted?

Soy wax is water soluble so you can wash our soy candle jars with hot soapy water. However, never pour your wax into a drain as the wax will solidify and clog your sink.

Why is my soy candle smoking?

Smoking may happen when the soy candle is in a draft or if the wick has gotten too long. Always keep the candle away from drafts and make sure you trim the candle wick regularly to a length between 6-10mm.

Why is there a gap between the candle container and the soy wax? 

When the wax is poured during production it may cool too quickly, depending on weather conditions. Occasionally this may create a small gap between the container and the wax. This small gap should disappear once you start using the candle.

Why is there soot in my candle jar?

Soot can gather in your candle jar when you have allowed the flame to become too large. If your candle has gathered soot, clean it using a dry paper towel. Only do this once the candle flame has been extinguished and the jar has cooled.

If you require any further assistance with your candles, please do not hesitate to contact us.