CANDLES
A well-cared-for soy candle burns more evenly, lasts longer and smells better. Soy wax behaves a little differently to other waxes, so a few simple habits make a big difference. Here are the basics.
Soy wax has a "memory". If the first burn doesn't melt the wax right across the surface, the candle can start to tunnel, which means it burns a hole down the middle and leaves wax around the edge. For the first burn, let the wax melt all the way to the edges before you put it out. For a small candle this usually takes one to two hours. For a larger one, allow longer.
Before every burn, trim the wick to about 5mm. A long wick makes a big flame, which can produce soot and burn the candle too quickly. Trimming keeps the flame small and steady. Remove any burnt wick pieces from the wax.
Burn for no more than about four hours at a time. Burning for much longer can overheat the container and produce soot. Let the candle cool and set before you light it again.
Tunnelling is when the wax burns down in the middle and leaves a ring of unmelted wax. It usually happens when a candle is blown out before a full melt pool has formed. Here are some ways to correct it:
Natural soy wax can show a pale, frosty look, or small bumps on top. This is normal for 100% natural soy and doesn't change how the candle burns or smells. It's part of the charm of handmade wax.
Keep your candle in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, with the lid on if it has one. This helps the scent stay strong between burns.
Our candles are hand-poured in Grantham in small batches with 100% natural soy wax. If you're curious about the benefits, read why soy wax is better. You might also like our guide to getting the most from your candle, or you can compare them with wax melts vs candles. Want something made just for you? Take a look at our custom candles.