what to look out for when purchasing a scented candle

candles have evolved so much that they are now becoming the centre point for decor and help set the tone for any room or occasion. so it only makes sense to dedicate an entire blog on helping you choose the right candle for the right occasion.

choosing the right candle for the right space

the first thing to consider is where you plan to use the candle. it’s better to choose subtle scents for kitchen spaces. for example, we recommend staying away from the floral smells and instead trying a sweet or fresh candle that complements food aromas.

other considerations might be the size of the space. for a large room or a room with high ceilings, you may need a larger candle. a small space such as a bathroom or study could probably do with just a small tin or jar. of course there are no set rules. if you love softer scents you might go smaller in a big space or vice versa.  

the last, but very important consideration is safety. keeping the candle away from curtains or areas where flammable articles can get in the candle flame's path.

choosing the right type of wax

we use vegan, kosher certified pure soy wax in all of our candles, so you already know where we stand on this, but it's worth to go through the different points.

paraffin wax:

paraffin wax is a very inexpensive wax and most widely used type of wax for things like pillar candles, stick candles, emergency candles, and even some bargain scented candles.

it's also not the most eco-friendly type of candle wax, since it's made from a byproduct of petroleum meaning that what your ultimately inhaling is oil.

beeswax:

beeswax is one of the oldest forms of candle wax. is beeswax considered to be eco-friendly? on the one hand it is a natural resource, so it's not polluting and may have the ability to purify the air. on the other hand, it is derived from bees in the honey making process so there might be an impact on the hardworking bees.

beeswax is also a harder, more solid wax that's often used in blends for container candles right or to make unscented pillars so not necessarily the best option for even burning or scent throwing candle.

coconut wax:

a relatively new option to the candle game, this newer type of wax is from coconuts, so another natural resource. 

coconut wax also holds fragrance and color very well, and has a clean burn with very little soot. because of all these great qualities, coconut wax is the most expensive option for candle makers, which makes it less affordable

soy wax:

we feel that soy wax is the best option as its a great compromise between cost, impact on the environment, and the final quality of the product -- how well it burns and how nice it smells.

soy wax tends to be the most temperamental type of wax so it's mainly used by experienced candle makers.

choosing the right type of wick

unlike a regular fire where the object burning is what fuels what fire, the main purpose of a wick is to deliver fuel to the flame. it acts like a fuel pump: the wick draws the liquefied wax up into the flame so that it keeps burning.

cotton wicks are a bundle of fibres that are twisted, braided or knitted altogether. the fibres are the absorbing element of the candle, they absorb the liquefied wax and carry it to the flame by capillary action.

cotton wick are both cheaper and easier to work with, but lack the elegance a wooden wick may offer.

a wooden wick is made from untreated wood. it is definitely much more finicky to work with and much more expensive, but does add an unbeatable crackle when lit.