These candles use all natural wax derived from soybeans grown in the US. This wax is NOT blended with paraffin and is a 100% natural product. This ethically-sourced material is a high quality premium biodegradable soy wax using soybean products. Unless 100% soy wax is stated on some candles, it will most likely be a blend (see below). Our candles are made with the highest quality ingredients both wax and fragrances; if stored in a cool place away from sunlight they can last a few years. Some discolouration may happen with some vanilla oils although this usually will disappear once burning.

We use fragrances are made to IFRA standards (International Fragrance Association) which are Phthalate free (substance used as a solvent); these premium fragrances are blended with essential oils and plant botanicals.

The wicks are lead-free paper-cored and are self-trimming.

Manufacturers that do not state 100% soy or natural wax products are invariably using a blend with other materials e.g paraffin; quality fragrances contain essential oils in varying amounts so stating that the candle contains or made with ‘essential oils' does not guarantee 100% essential oils are used.

Soy wax candles burn at a lower temperature than paraffin alternatives and tend to burn for longer. When first lit, it’s the wick that burns so a good idea is to trim the wick a little after 15 to 30 minutes or so and every hour or two thereafter. Allow the candle to burn if possible until the top layer of wax has melted, especially the first and second time used. This can take a few hours; doing this in the first ‘burn’ helps create a memory of how to burn next time and will help avoid a ‘tunneling’ in the wax. This is only to extend the life of your candle and is not a requirement. Burning for longer periods rather than short ‘bursts’ is beneficial to the life of your candle - but be careful how hot the glass container gets. (Please read further as burn hours MUST be reduced as the wax level reduces). Trim the wick before re-lighting and every time the candle is lit thereafter; sometimes ‘pinching’ the wick tip when cold with fingertips and a tissue is enough – and a bit easier. After a while all this makes sense and as a simple rule keep the wick just long enough to keep burning without becoming too large and ‘flickering’.

Worried about leaving a candle burning? It's a good idea to use an oven timer or the alarm on your mobile 'phone. You've a naked flame and it needs to be treated with respect. The minimum temperature for a candle flame is approximately 800C - you wouldn't put your finger in the flame so it's best to apply that caution to what's close to your candle and how hot the glass can become or how you protect your surfaces.

You can always trim the wick whilst burning also – just put it out first, trim then re-light. Trimming the wick as often as you can is beneficial: the flame is more efficient, it avoids ‘mushrooming’ at the tip and reduces or eliminates blackening/soot to the glass rim.

Please don’t burn your candle to the bottom of the container so that only a shallow pool of melted wax is left.  The wicks have a metal sheath to stop the wick burning to the base but still the container can get extremely hot and burns to skin are possible as well as causing permanent damage to surfaces - not to mention creating a hazard with glass breaking. Un-melted wax provides a ‘buffer’ to the heat so once all the wax has melted the candle flame will heat both oil and the glass to extreme temperatures. Never leave unattended and once again treat the living flame with respect. Should you spill the wax it is unlikely to burn as it has a low melt point and if spilled on skin it won't burn (but refer please to the previous sentences). The wax will dissolve in hand-hot soapy water so fabrics etc. can be cleaned although the fragrance oils may leave a residue and natural fabrics won’t tolerate high wash temperatures needed to remove this.

We promote the concept of re-cycling. We use wooden lids; we hand-write our logo in gold which can be removed with nail-polish remover or similar. If you wish to re-use your container when finished it's quite simple: sit the container in hot water for a few minutes and allow the wax to melt. Pour this into your kitchen bin - it's biodegradable wax - then prise off the small sticker that has been holding the wick in place. Hand-wash the container in hot soapy water. We do NOT re-use containers for candles as the integrity of glassware cannot be guaranteed and as such we are not prepared to increase the chance of glass shattering or cracking. Once washed however placing a tea light or one of our spa-lights inside can make very attractive candle shade - why not try some of our scented Spa lights?

In principle all that applies to the large candles applies to these. They are better suited to smaller rooms and despite their size (approximately twice the size of a standard tealight) they provide a strong aroma dispersal. Treat the containers as you would glass in that they need to sit on a saucer or coaster to protect surfaces and be wary if they've been burning a few hours as they will be hot. Recommended burn time is 1-2 hours maximum with 1 hour providing an acceptable and decent fragrance throw. Average burn time for each light is between 11-12 hours each. Always trim the wick for better performance.