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Candles4light frequently asked questions
- What is paraffin and where does it come from? _top
- Paraffin wax is a natural product derived from decayed plant material.As protection from weather, some plants produce a coating of wax on their leaves and stems. After millions of years of being buried deep in the earth, the decayed plant turned into crude oil with the wax substance suspended in it. During the refinery process this wax is removed from the oil and processed into a clear, non-toxic, and clean-burning liquid. The paraffin in our candles contain less than half a percent of oil.
- Do you have lead in your wicks? _top
- There is no lead or any other metal in our wicks. The wicks in our candles are made of 100% cotton and are designed to curve as they burn so that the wick does not get longer and the flame bigger as the candle burns down. There is no need to ever trim the wick after the initial lightning.
- Why are your candles colored on the outside and not colored all the way through? _top
- Dyes, used in candles dyed all the way through, often migrate into the wick and packing materials, giving the candle a faded look. Depending on the dyes it also often destroys the wick resulting in a poorly burning candle. Also, some of the dyes on the market contain aniline, a known carcinogen substance. We use food-grade, non-toxic pigments to produce a non-fading color coat providing beautiful flame and giving the burning candle the glow of a lantern.
- How does a candle burn? _top
- A candle needs oxygen, fuel (wax) and a wick. All three components have to be in perfect harmony to produce a well burning flame. If there is too much oxygen, the candle will smoke and drip. If there is too little oxygen, the flame will flicker and smoke. If the melting point of the wax is too high or too low and an inappropriately sized wick with poor absorbency is being used, the candle will either burn with a very small flame, with a very large flame, or in the worst scenario, the wick will burn up and the flame will estinguish or the wick will drown in a puddle of wax.
- Why does my candle smoke and flicker when burning in a closed container?_top
- Burning candles require oxygen, otherwise the flame will suffocate, resulting in smoking and flickering. To solve this problem find a candle with a very small flame (i.e. - T-lights), or raise the candle up so that the flame gets more oxygen. Any glassware used with candles should be large enough to allow sufficient oxygen flow. The ideal container would have venting in the bottom.
- How can I remove scratches from my candles? _top
- Buff your candles with an old nylon.
- Why does the wick curve? _top
- The wick curves because it made from 100% densely braided cotton. It is very important that the burning wick curves and ends at the edge of the flame where the temperature is the highest because it is at the edge where the gradual burning of the wick takes place (incineration). If a wick does not curve, the wick will not burn down resulting in the wick getting too long and the flame getting too large.
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