Soy Candle Academy

A soy candle is made with wax produced from soybean oil. The oil is processed into a solid wax that can hold fragrance and melt around a candle wick.

Soy wax is popular because it usually burns slowly and releases fragrance gradually as the melt pool grows.

A candle such as Fresh Melon Soy Scented Candle is a good example of how soy wax can release a bright, fruity fragrance gradually instead of all at once.

Many people choose soy candles because the wax is plant-based, generally burns slowly and is easy to clean with warm, soapy water if a small spill happens.

The wax is only one part of a good candle. The fragrance, wick, container and testing all affect the final result.

For example, Coffee Addiction Soy Scented Candle depends on the right combination of soy wax, fragrance and wick to create that familiar freshly brewed coffee scent without producing an oversized flame.

Soy wax often burns more slowly because it has a lower melting point than some other waxes. The actual burn time still depends on the candle size, wick, fragrance and how long it is burned during each use.

A properly cared-for candle such as White Birchwood Soy Scented Candle can burn more evenly when the wick is trimmed and the candle is not left burning for too long.

Tunneling happens when the wax melts only around the wick and leaves a ring of hard wax along the sides of the jar.

This often begins when the candle is extinguished before the melt pool has enough time to spread across most of the surface.

If a candle such as Lilac Meadows Soy Scented Candle is put out too soon during its first burn, the wax may continue melting in that same narrow pattern later.

A wick that is too long can create a larger flame, more soot and an uneven burn.

Before lighting a cooled candle, trim the wick to about one-quarter inch unless the candle maker gives different instructions.

With a bold fragrance such as Sweet Bourbon Soy Scented Candle , trimming the wick helps keep the flame controlled while the caramel, vanilla and toasted oak develop.

Many container candles perform best when burned for about two to four hours at a time. Always follow the instructions included with the candle.

Burning for too little time may encourage tunneling. Burning too long can make the wax and container too hot.

A candle such as Ocean Orchid Soy Scented Candle needs enough time to create a full melt pool, but it should still be extinguished before the jar becomes excessively hot.

Soot can happen when the wick is too long, the candle is sitting in a draft or it has been burning too long.

Keep candles away from open windows, ceiling fans and air vents. Extinguish the candle if the flame becomes unusually large or produces visible smoke.

Even a warm fragrance such as Apple Harvest Perfection Soy Scented Candle should burn with a steady flame rather than a flame that flickers heavily or smokes.

Fragrance notes describe the different layers of a scent.

Top notes are usually the first scents you notice. They are often light, bright or fresh.

Middle notes form the heart of the fragrance and become more noticeable as the candle burns.

Bottom notes are deeper and longer-lasting. Vanilla, amber, musk and wood are common examples.

In Sweet Bourbon Soy Scented Candle , the first impression may include warm bourbon and coffee. As the melt pool grows, caramel, vanilla and toasted oak become easier to notice, creating a cozy coffeehouse feeling.

Cold throw is the fragrance you smell when the candle is not burning. It is usually what you notice when you remove the lid or smell the candle in the jar.

For example, Peach Daquiri Soy Scented Candle may smell bright and juicy before it is ever lit. That first impression is the candle's cold throw.

Hot throw is the fragrance released while the candle is burning. As the melt pool grows, more scented wax is warmed and the fragrance begins moving through the room.

A candle such as Coffee Addiction Soy Scented Candle may begin smelling like freshly brewed coffee near the jar, then gradually spread that café-like fragrance through the room.

When a candle is first lit, only a small amount of wax is warm. As the melt pool gets larger, more fragrance is released into the air.

A candle like Sweet Bourbon Soy Scented Candle may begin with coffee and bourbon notes. As the melt pool grows, caramel, vanilla and toasted oak can become more noticeable, making the room smell like a warm neighborhood café.

Fragrance strength depends on the wax, wick, room size, airflow and the type of fragrance being used.

Bold scents such as coffee, spice and woods often feel stronger than light florals or airy fruit fragrances.

For example, Coffee Addiction Soy Scented Candle may feel stronger because coffee is a bold, familiar scent, while Lilac Meadows Soy Scented Candle may feel softer and more delicate.

Your nose can become accustomed to a fragrance after you have been around it for a while. The scent may still be in the room, but your brain begins treating it as background information.

This can happen with a familiar candle such as White Birchwood Soy Scented Candle . Step outside the room for a few minutes and you may notice the fragrance again when you return.

Fruity fragrances usually feel fresh, juicy or bright. Sweet fragrances often include warmer notes such as vanilla, caramel, brown sugar or honey.

Fresh Melon Soy Scented Candle is a good example of a bright fruity fragrance, while Sweet Bourbon Soy Scented Candle leans warmer with caramel, vanilla and toasted oak.

Frosting looks like cloudy marks or small white crystals on the wax. It happens naturally as soy wax forms crystals over time.

Temperature changes can make frosting more noticeable. It usually affects appearance rather than performance.

If you notice frosting on a candle such as Fresh Melon Soy Scented Candle , it does not mean the candle has spoiled or lost its fragrance.

Soy wax may look rough, bumpy or slightly uneven after it melts and cools. It does not always return to a perfectly smooth surface.

This is usually cosmetic and does not mean the candle was made incorrectly.

A candle such as Ocean Orchid Soy Scented Candle may look different after several burns while continuing to perform normally.

Small beads of oil may sometimes appear on soy wax after temperature changes. This can happen when fragrance oil moves toward the surface.

Keep candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme heat.

This can happen with any soy candle, including richer fragrances such as Coffee Addiction Soy Scented Candle , especially if the candle has been stored somewhere warm.