FAQs

To help you experience the high quality of our candles, we have compiled below some frequently asked questions and answers about our soy candles. Take advantage of these techniques as you enjoy pure Sophisticated Spirit Candles with your family and loved ones.

 

  1. How important is it to trim the wick?

It is very important. Trimming the top of the wick will prevent the black soot when it's burnt. It will also keep the burning process smooth and longer.

So keep those wicks properly trimmed and your candle will burn petro-soot free!!

  1. Is it normal to see soot in the jar?

A small amount of soot is normal when burning anything, It is not toxic. You can easily prevent the amount of soot off by keeping the wicks trimmed short. In fact, you can diminish it so much that you won’t even see it.

So in short, if you notice soot on your jars, then you’re not keeping your wick trimmed short enough.

  1. If black smoke came out while burning the candle, what should I do? 

Before burning scented candles, the wick should be trimmed to prevent soot buildup. Before lighting new or previously burned candles, always trim the wick by 1/4 inch. If you want to burn your candles for more than 4 hours, extinguish the flame at intervals of 4 hours, let the candle cool, then trim the wick and relight. Keep the candles away from drafts because they could make them burn unevenly and produce smoke.

  1. How short and often should I trim the wick?

Every time you light a candle, the wicks need to be trimmed to a 1/4 inch. You can cut candle wicks with scissors, a nail clipper, or wick cutters. The Candle Snuffer, a candle wick cutter, is your finest choice.

Also you shouldn’t allow your candle to burn more than a couple of hours at a time without trimming the wicks for the reasons stated in the previous question. If you want to burn it longer you should extinguish the candle, then trim the wicks carefully and relight it. This will give you extra hours of clean burning.

  1. Why do most candles have a hole down the center of its jar?

Many candles have a hole down the center because they are using the wrong type and size wick. With Sophisticated Candles, we have tested hundreds of wicks to assure the proper fit giving the best burn possible.

  1. Is one candle enough for an open floor plan house?

It seems each open floor plan house has different results. Some get great results with 1 candle; some need 2 or 3. Understand that it is more difficult to fill open floor plan homes, since the scent has to continue to travel and as the scent spreads over large areas it will get less intense. An average room with walls will keep the scent inside and of course create a more intense strong scent.

  1. How does Sophisticated Candles come up with its burn times?

When we started Sophisticated Candles, we made a commitment to honesty and integrity. Our burn times are based on test burning in a “normal living environment”. We test all our candles in our living room, our kitchen, or our bedrooms. We burn them for about 2 to 4 hours at a time and we always trim the wicks before lighting again.

The normal burning time for our candles is 35-40 hours.

  1. How can I burn Sophisticated Spirit candles to the maximum?

You need to maintain a good length for the wick (1/4 inch) usually in order to get the maximum burn time our candles. Also, when burning the candle you have to burn it long enough to allow the melt pool to extend all the way out to the outer edge of the candle so you utilize all the wax.

  1. Why are most candles sold on the market are dangerous?

Most candles on the market now have several hazardous components. First off, paraffin wax or a soy-paraffin wax blend is used to make most candles. A by-product of petroleum is paraffin wax. It is high-quality gasoline. Paraffin wax is toxic when burned, and it also includes pollutants, two factors that the Environmental Protection Agency deems to be above the excess cancer risk with repeated exposures. For Sophisticated Spirit candles, we imply a 100% soy wax formulation because of this.

Another is to utilize wicks with the core made of any metal, particularly zinc or tin. The metal inside these wicks burns when they are lit, releasing toxic fumes into the air. The wicks in Sophisticated Spirit candles are made entirely of cotton.

The addition of perfumes may be another unhealthful component of candles. The majority of commercially produced fragrances are made using a petroleum oil base, which detracts from the purity and strength of the smell and has hazardous qualities when burned. We use our own scents, which are manufactured using soy bean oil as opposed to petroleum oil, in Sophisticated Spirit Candles.

  1. How can I tell if a candle is made of soy?

Today, paraffin wax, a petroleum byproduct, or a combination of both are used to make the majority of candles. No fillers or diluted mixtures of other waxes are used; only 100% soy wax!

100% Soy Wax should be printed on the candle's bottom label. If that is not stated, the candle is probably made of paraffin. But keep in mind that since the candle industry is not governed by the government, some candle manufacturers may assert that their products are made entirely of soy wax when in fact they are not. Your source must be reliable.

By looking at its external appearance, you can tell a lot. The appearance of soy wax is often creamy and velvety, occasionally with slight white discolorations and distinctive natural marks on the candle's surface. A clear substance, paraffin wax occasionally has dark flecks, bubbles, or craters on the top.

  1. Do Sophisticated Spirit Candles Fade?

Yes, some of them do. We strive to use only natural components in our candles. Ultraviolet inhibitors are not used by Sophisticated Spirit. As a result, some of the hues will deteriorate with time.

When not in use, consumers are advised to store their candles somewhere dry and cool. Candles that are exposed to direct sunlight deteriorate most quickly.

  1. Are they Paraben & Phthalate free?

Yes, they are.

  1. What is the most effective way to clean the jars and remove the wax?

If you put soy wax in the freezer for about 30 minutes and use a butter knife to loosen it from the sides, it will usually pop out easily.

  1. Do candles lose their efficacy over time?

A candle should be burned within a year of being opened, according to traditional view. A candle can be kept for a very long period, but any fragrance or color will ultimately fade. Candles should be stored in a cool, dry area and wrapped in cellophane if you do choose to do so. This will prevent them from being harmed by air, light, or moisture.

  1. What causes candles to flicker?

The air around the wick is heated when a candle is burning. The heated air rises, and around the flame's base, cool air rushes in. When a candle is first lighted, the flame may flicker because the combustion reaction is stabilizing (see answer below for more on the combustion process). Any following flickering is caused by the flame receiving insufficient or excessive fuel or air, most frequently as a result of poor ventilation or wind from windows.

  1. What happens to the wax when candles burn?

The heat of the flame first melts the wax, then it is sucked up the candle wick like water in a straw. Once the wax is near to the flame, it becomes so hot that it transforms into a gas. This gas then undergoes a process known as combustion with oxygen in the air to produce water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Thus, after being heated into a liquid and then a gas, the solid wax finally reacts with the air.

  1. Can I carry candles in my hand luggage?

Of course! Solid candles are allowed in both carry-on and checked luggage, according to the TSA. However, gel candles must be packed in checked baggage. Many airlines also allow the carrying of 1 lighter or box of matches in hand luggage. However, to be safe, we advise you to double-check the airline's luggage regulations before booking your flight. Generally, look for the airline's flammable liquids policy.

  1. How come my scented candle doesn't smell?

Our list of frequently asked questions is topped by this one; most people complain that they cannot smell the scent in their room. In order to assist them, we merely inquired as to what they were doing with their candles. It turned out that some were burning them for only 15-20 minutes, and that too in a huge area, before extinguishing them as soon as they lost the scent. First, you must burn a scented candle for at least two hours before evaluating the aroma; a second alternative is to burn it in a small space before assessing the fragrance.

  1. What are the advantages of all-cotton wicks?

You would believe that a candle's color and scent are what make it, but the wick is actually the most crucial component. A larger wick made of may produce smoke, while a smaller wick made of may cause tunneling in a candle. The entire burning process of a candle depends on the wick. Because a lead wick may produce poisonous smoke that could be damaging to your health, you should always verify that the wicks are made of 100% cotton. We utilize European 100% all cotton wicks in our candles because of this.

  1. Why does my candle burn in a tunnel shape?

Tunneling in candles, commonly referred to as a "melt ring," is very common. The wax does not completely melt across the edges when a candle burns only from the center, leaving thick residue around the walls of a jar candle or a pillar candle. Any candle should burn for at least an hour per inch of its diameter to prevent tunneling, and the wax pool should extend all the way to the edges.

  1. Why do soy candles cost more than regular candles?

Soy wax, a vegetable wax manufactured from soybean oil, is used to make soy candles. Soy wax has a powerful aroma throw, is natural and biodegradable, and has a longer lifespan than the typical paraffin wax candle. Soy candles are slightly more expensive than typical scented candles due to their natural qualities and premium quality, but they are unquestionably worth the cost.

  1. Once the candle has burned out, how do you get the leftover wax out of the container?

Once the candle is over, use a butter knife to scrape out the leftover wax from the container. Place the jar in the sink and fill it with hot water, let the water sit for 2-3 minutes then pour water in the sink and wipe off the jar with a cloth.