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Tips & Info -4- Candles & Wax Melts

Updated: Oct 17

It's a candle! Light it, sniff it, easy as that!

It is as easy as that, right? Just about! Most of us have been using candles since before we were allowed (sorry Mom and Dad!) However, with a little extra understanding about how our candles and wax melts burn, you'll fall even further in love with your favorite Dainty Blossoms!

Let's start with the basics.

What is a candle?

A candle is an ignitable wick embedded in a flammable fuel source. This fuel source, usually a type of wax or oil, is what provides the necessary fuel for the wick to burn provided there is enough oxygen in the air. (Tip 1: Make sure your candle is placed on a flat, heat-resistant location with enough oxygen, but free from breezes, drafts and flammable objects.)

Different candle manufacturers choose different wax types for their candles. Most large companies choose a paraffin wax or paraffin blend to prolong the shelf lives of their candles. Here at The Dainty Blossom Co., we use soy wax sourced from soy beans grown right here in the USA.

But what's the difference?

Soy wax, as we mentioned, is a soy bean by-product and is classified as a vegetable wax. After being initially harvested, the soy beans are first cleaned, cracked, hulled, and finally rolled into flakes. The oil can then be extracted from the flakes and hydrogenated, giving the wax its solid candle texture. The majority of the world's soybeans are grown right here in the United States, with the top producing states being Illinois, Iowa and Indiana. Soy beans are a clean, long-burning, responsible and renewable source of wax.

The Dainty Blossom Co. couples our soy wax with lead-free wicks and fine fragrance oils, bringing you top quality products that are safe for your family, Eco-friendly, and carbon neutral. (Tip 2: Buy soy or blend products.)

We use only the best fine fragrance oils in our candles and wax melts!

Paraffin wax, as we mentioned, is used by many large candle manufacturers. It is a soft, solid wax derivable from petroleum, coal or oil shale...

...Yes, you read that right-paraffin wax is a petroleum by-product! The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has actually set a recommended daily limit for the amount paraffin wax fumes a person should breathe...Yikes!

Bottom line: If you want to buy healthy, renewable scented products for your family, soy candles and wax melts are the products for you!

So you're sold, and now the proud owner of a lovely Dainty Blossom Co. candle. Yay!

How do you burn your candles to get the most out of them?

Light the candle with a lighter, or you can use a match.

(Tip 3: Hold the flame steady until the wick catches with flame.)

One of the biggest factors involved in burning candles to ensure a clean burn is making sure you have at least an hour to devote to burning. If the candle is NOT allowed to liquefy to the outer edge each time it is burned, it will form a tunnel down the center. However, if the candle is allowed 1-4 hours to burn, it will result in a super clean burn!

(Tip 4: Burn each candle until it liquefies to the outer edge each time; usually at least 1 hour, no more than 4 hours at a time.)

The last trick of the trade to make your candle burn its best is to keep the wick trimmed to 1/4". This will prevent it from soaking up too much wax and burning too hot/quick. The empty jar (pictured above) is what your candle should look like when you are finished using it!

(Tip 5: Keep wick trimmed to 1/4".)

For our wax melt users, the steps are simple:

Step 1: Pinch the cubes toward the center in each direction to break the wax into individual cubes.
Step 2: Use only in tea-light warmers or wax approved electric warmers.
Step 3: Use the amount of wax specific to your warmer instructions. Do NOT overfill or under fill, warmers should have at least 1/2" melted wax at all times but not so much as to spill over.
Step 4: Do NOT add water, or melt wax in anything not approved for wax melts.
Step 5: Breathe deeply and enjoy your favorite Dainty Blossom Co. scent!

Easy as that! You are now an educated and empowered candle and wax melt user- hooray!

We had a fantastic time helping you discover all the wonderful benefits of buying soy candles from The Dainty Blossom Co. plus sharing how to burn them successfully.

Thanks for stopping by!

Take Care,

Matt + Heather ♥