FAQ's
We love your jars - can you refill them once we have finished the candle?
Unfortunately we do not refill candles. There are two reasons why we don't. The first of these is that candle glass weakens over time due to the heating and cooling process of burning your candle. This in turn means that the strength of the jar is modified which could then create a safety and fire risk to you and your loved ones. The last thing we want is to create harm to our customers. The second reason is a commercial/business one - our insurance does not cover us for candle refills.
Some candle shops say to melt your candle wax to the edge of the glass because soy wax has a memory. Why don't you?
We don't recommend this because our testing shows that 100% soy wax candles don't have a memory. You will get a bit of a "hang" of wax on the sides of your jar as the candle burns but this wax "hang" will drop as the candle burns lower in the jar. This is why we don't say this, however we do recommend burning your candle for at least the minimum time on the instructions on the back of the box (and not longer than the maximum).
Should I buy Melts or Candles?
We advise our customers that if you prefer a very strong scent then melts are a great option for you. If you prefer a lighter scent throw then candles are a better option. This is due to the fact that when you are using melts you are releasing all of the scent at one time whereas with candles you are only releasing scent from the layer that is melting while the candle is burning hence a less intense scent throw.
Are you cheap when it comes to fragrance in your products?
Our candles are loaded with maximum fragrance that the wax and wick can handle - difference fragrances will react differently with Soy Wax which in turn means that the percentage of fragrance we use will differ depending on results when we are testing. Whichever percentage of fragrance we use you can be satisfied that we have ensured that you are getting the best scent throw we could develop.
Why don't you "Triple Scent" your candles?
Unfortunately Triple scented candles are a marketing ploy and most reputable chandlers will confirm that there is no such thing as a triple scented candle. This is because candle waxes can only handle a small percentage of fragrance oil before it begins to react badly with the fragrance. In reality if we were triple scenting our candles they would be catching fire - No one wants that.
Why does my candle have white crystal/powdery looking things on it?
This is known as "blooming" or "frosting" and is a naturally occurring effect of using soy wax. It is a phenomenon that is unique to vegetable waxes, especially soy. For us at By Bec Designs it is a sign that you have received a candle or melt that is made from 100% natural soy wax. We could prevent this happening in our products if we used additives however we prefer to be ethically responsible and choose to use 100% natural soy wax.
Frosting or blooming does not affect how your product performs and is not something to worry about.
What type of wicks do you use?
By Bec Designs Soy wax candles are made using lead-free, cotton wicks or natural wood wicks.
Why Should I trim my wick?
Having too large a wick length for your candle will mean it will burn far too quickly, with too large a flame. For safety reasons, the wick should be kept at less than 5mm. Make sure you do not leave wick debris in the wax when you trim.
Trimming also prevents your wick from curling back into the wax - a common problem with softer, cotton wicks and it prevents a large "knob" forming on your wick.
Trimming will also prevent black soot from forming on the sides of the glass jar.
Why is there wet oil on top of my candle?
This is called "Soy Sweat" and occurs due to the fact that soy wax has a lower melting point and can sometimes release excess moisture. This usually occurs due to extreme temperature changes when shipping. For example being in a hot vehicle while been transported and then going into a cooler environment and vice versa.
You can wipe up this moisture with a paper towel or leave it. It does not affect the quality of the candle and as a general rule does not re-appear after the first burn.
How should I store my By Bec Designs Candle?
For optimum performance of your By Bec Designs Soy wax candles, place/store in a cool area out of in-direct and direct sunlight. Since our Soy candles have a high ratio of fragrance they are more likely to sweat when warmed during shipping.
How do I put my candle out?
The first thing to know is that you never, ever put the candle out by placing the lid on the jar. Either use a candle dipper, dip the wick into the melted wax or pinch it out. Blowing the candle out is of course the easiest, but it will also smoke for a while. This is the only time you will see a soy candle "smoking"
Why do some candles look like they are not adhering to the glass evenly?
With some glass candle making containers - like a clear glass jar, the Soy wax pulls away from the glass. This is normal for Soy wax and can occur after the candle has been poured and set due to changes in temperature. This does not affect the performance of the candle.
My jar burst while I was burning a candle. What happened?
We have never had a candle jar crack during testing. We do all we can to mitigate the risk of this happening and test all new jarware extensively.
Do not burn you candle below a 10mm layer of wax on the bottom of the jar.
Always check your glassware for chips and cracks that may compromise the safety of your candle.
Even with all the precautions you can take to make a safe candle, unexpected breakages do happen, so safety is paramount.