Have you ever wondered why it's recommended you trim the wick of your candle before burning - surely it's not necessary (hint: yeah it is!) or why you can't smell the fragrance when you can clearly see the candle burning away on the dining table and what are the benefits of a natural wax anyway?! These and more FAQs are answered in today's blog post - enjoy!
What wax do you use? Our candles are made with a blend of coconut and soy wax; a natural, non-toxic, biodegradable and sustainable resource. It's paraffin-free and produces candles which burn slower, cleaner and with a better fragrance throw than other waxes meaning they're more economical.
Do your wicks contain lead? Our wicks are 100% cotton, contain no traces of lead and are free of toxins.
Why is there a hard ring of wax around the outside of the container? This is called tunnelling and is caused by the candle burning down it's centre leaving a ring of unmelted wax around the outside. Rest assured this isn’t a fault with the wicking of the candle.
Coconut wax behaves differently to other waxes and as such, initial tunnelling is perfectly normal and will gradually melt as the candle burns down and the heat within the vessel increases. To minimise tunnelling we recommend burning your candle for longer periods of 3 to 4 hours.
Why didn't my candle last the 50 hours it states on the label? Many factors can influence how long your candle will burn for which is why we mention up to 50 hours burn time. Keeping it away from drafts and out of direct sunlight when burning as well as trimming the wick between burns are all ways to prolong the life of your candle.
We have extensively tested the burn times of each scented candle in a controlled environment and find that 50 hours is the maximum you can expect if the above conditions are met.
Why can't I smell my scented candle? Our 30cl candles work really well in bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and typically sized living/dining rooms. Larger rooms or rooms with high ceilings may need more than one candle for the best fragrance performance. Burn a duplicate candle or experiment with a different fragrance and create your own blend!
If a single candle is suitable for the size of your room and you're still unable to detect the fragrance, ensure that you're burning it for long enough. A 15-20 minute burn isn't long enough for the fragrance to begin permeating. Instead, aim for a minimum one hour burn.
How long should I burn my candle for? We recommend burning your candle for longer periods of between 3-4 hours to minimise tunnelling.
Why is there a black residue around the rim of my container? Prior to lighting your candle and in between burns, ensure the wick is no longer than 4mm in length. Untrimmed wicks will cause smoke and darken the inside of your glass. Having a longer wick will also cause the flame to burn through your wax much quicker. We recommend using a wick trimmer for ease.
If there is black residue on the inside of your vessel, simply dampen paper towel and wipe clean.
Are your candles vegan and cruelty free? Yes, our candles are 100% vegan friendly and cruelty free. Our candles have been tested on friends not animals!
Why are soy candles more expensive than other candles? Our candles are made with a blend of premium coconut and soy wax; a natural, non-toxic, biodegradable and sustainable resource. It has a strong fragrance throw and lasts 50% longer than an average paraffin wax candle (what mass produced candles are predominantly made of - read here) making them more economical.
The natural properties and premium quality make our candles a little more expensive than average scented candles but they're a better investment for you, your pocket and the environment!
How do I plant my wildflower dust cover? Simply tear the cover into large pieces and plant in the garden under 1cm of soil and water lightly. Alternatively, give your Oak & Porter vessel a second life as a plant pot!
I want to reuse my candle container to plant my wildflower dust cover. How can I get rid of excess wax? Carefully fill with boiling water and place somewhere safe to completely cool. Once cold, the wax will have formed a hard layer on top of the water. Simply hold over the sink, carefully push down on one side of the wax disk and it will dislodge. Discard in the bin and wash the vessel in warm soapy water.
Please remember - DO NOT pour liquid wax down your drains as it will solidify in the pipes and clog your sink...yikes!
Do you accept returns? We have a 14 day return policy. Please see our Terms of Service for details.
Have you got a question that's missing from the list? No problem! Feel free to drop us a line via our contact page or directly at hello@oakandporter.co.uk and we'll get back to you with an answer as soon as possible.
Until next time!