Should I Trim My Wicks?
Yes, you must trim the wick of a candle. To help prevent soot from forming when the flame encounters a draft, trim the wick to 1/4" before lighting the candle.

The mushroom that forms after a candle is burned does not give you more fragrance in the room......I don't know who thought of that one, but it doesn't.
Fire produces smoke, so trim your wick and you shoudln't have a problem.

Can I Prevent Wax From Sticking to the Sides of the Glass?
Yes, when you burn a container candle for the first time, it remembers how far across the surface it melted. For best results let the entire surface liquefy before extinguishing.
No one likes candle "hang up" (the wax left on the sides of the jar).

Stop Black Stuff from Forming on the Jar?
The black substance that appears on the glass is soot. You need to trim the wick before you light a candle...each time!

A candle wick should only be 1/4" when lit. This will help to prevent soot build up on the container. Don't forget that any flame will feed on oxygen. Keep your candles out of a draft (open windows & ceiling fans are the most common) and that will feed the flame leading to smoke from the wick.

Ouch!
Please remember that container candles get hot. Always put candles on a heat resistant surface. I've seen scorched tables, and melted TV tops, all from a candle that sat there a little too long.

Where Should Candles Be Stored?
Candles are best stored in a cool area or the refrigerator.Don't freeze our candles, but keep them cool.

How Should I Blow Out My Candles?
Trick of the trade - When it comes time to blow out that candle you've fallen in love with, remember to place a finger in front of your lips when blowing out a candle. This prevents a gust of air from splattering the wax pool when you blow.

What causes a candle to smoke, and what can I do to correct it?
A well-made candle will create virtually no smoke when burning properly. However, if the wick becomes too long, or an air current disturbs the flame's teardrop shape, small amounts of unburned carbon particles (soot) will escape from the flame as a visible wisp of smoke. Any candle will soot if the flame is disturbed.

To avoid this, always trim the wick to ¼ inch before every use and be sure to place candles away from drafts, vents or air currents. If a candle continually flickers or smokes, it is not burning properly and should be extinguished. Allow the candle to cool, trim the wick, make sure the area is draft free, then re-light.

Is candle soot harmful?
No. The minuscule amount of soot produced by a candle is the natural byproduct of incomplete combustion. Candle soot is composed primarily of elemental carbon particles, and is similar to the soot given off by kitchen toasters and cooking oils. These everyday household sources of soot are not considered a health concern, and are chemically different from the soot formed by the burning of diesel fuel, coal, gasoline, etc.

Do scented candles produce more soot than unscented candles?
Not really. The oils found in certain fragrances may slightly increase the small amount of soot produced by a candle, but wick length and flame shape are the primary factors that impact sooting in a properly-formulated candle.

Are scented candles safe?
Yes. When a candle burns, the wax is drawn into the wick, where it is "consumed" by the candle flame to produce water vapor and carbon dioxide. The only difference with a scented candle is that a small amount of fragrance is released as well.

JJ's Candles only uses fragrances that are approved for burning in candles. We also carefully monitor the addition of fragrance to ensure that the candle will burn cleanly and properly.

Are candles made with "natural" ingredients or essential oils safer?
A natural ingredient, as opposed to a manufactured or synthesized ingredient, is not necessarily any safer. In fact, scores of natural ingredients are known to be extremely toxic to humans in very small amounts. JJ's Candles is committed to manufacturing candles that use ingredients known to be safe and approved for use in candles, whether "natural" or synthesized.

Are scented candles triggers for asthma or allergies?
Although millions of Americans regularly use scented candles without any negative effects, it is always possible that a particular fragrance might trigger a negative reaction in sensitive individuals. Individuals with known sensitivities to specific fragrances may want to avoid candles of those scents. In addition, consumers should remember to burn all candles, whether scented or unscented, in a well-ventilated area.

Dusty?
Your can remove dust and fingerprints from a candle by gently rubbing the surface with a piece of nylon or a soft cloth. The cloth can be dry or slightly dampened with water.

How to Remove Wax from Candleholders
Wax drippings can be removed from most candleholders by running hot water over them. Some people prefer removing wax by first placing the candleholder in the freezer for an hour or so. This allows the wax to shrink and easily pop out when the candleholder is removed from the freezer.

Never use a knife or a sharp object to remove wax drippings from a glass votive holder. It might scratch or weaken the glass, causing it to break upon subsequent use.

Avoid burning candles in any glass item not specifically designed for candles. Glass candleholders are specifically manufactured to withstand the temperature changes that occur when burning a candle. Everyday glassware is not designed for burning candles.

Votive holders will clean more easily afterward if you add a few drops of water to the glass before inserting the candle. Caution: Don’t add more than a few drops of water and don’t add water unless you intend to burn the candle immediately afterward. Over time, a candle wick could absorb the water and won’t burn properly.

Once you use a JJ's Candle...you'll never use anything else!

*Facts from National Candle Association:

Why are candles so popular?
Candles are perhaps one of the most enjoyable and affordable luxury items available to everyone. They are beautiful and magical. They can create a special warmth and ambiance, infuse the home with color and fragrance and the softness of candlelight, and bring a special sense of calm and well-being.

How are candles made?
Although modern technology has introduced greater efficiencies and quality control in candle-making, most candles are made through the timeless process of placing a cotton wick into wax, which is then molded, dipped, extruded, pressed, rolled, drawn or filled into a desired shape and size.

How many typs of candles are there, and what are the typical ingredients?
A candle consists primarily of wax and a wick. Candles may also contain colorants, fragrances and minor additives. The basic candle types are tapers, votives, pillars, jar or container candles, tealights, gels, floating candles, outdoor candles, novelty candles, utility candles, and birthday candles.

What sort of chemical reaction occurs when a candle burns?
When you light a candle, the heat of the flame melts the wax near the wick. This melted or liquid wax is then drawn up into the wick by capillary action. The flame's heat vaporizes the liquid wax to produce water vapor and carbon dioxide (the same byproducts that humans produce when exhaling).

What kinds of waxes are typically used in candles?
The most commonly used candle wax is paraffin. Beeswax, vegetable-based waxes, gels, and synthetic waxes are also frequently used in candles. Different blends of these waxes are popular with many manufacturers.

Are certain candle waxes better than others?
No. All types of candle waxes perform well, and will burn cleanly and safely when they are of high quality. U.S. candle manufacturers select waxes or blends of waxes based on their suitability for specific types of candles or formulation profiles, as well as their own candle-making preferences.

How long should I burn a candle?
Maximum burn times vary from candle to candle; follow the manufacturer's instructions. Always extinguish a candle if the flame gets too close to the candle holder or container. For a margin of safety, discontinue burning a candle when 2 inches of wax remains (½ inch if a container candle or jar candle).

What should I know about using candles safely?
Candles are safe when burned properly, responsibly and according to manufacturer directions. When burning candles, consumers should follow these basic safety rules:

• Keep lighted candles within your sight. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire.
• Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
• Trim wicks to ¼ inch prior to each use.
• Keep candles away from drafts and vents.
• Always use an appropriate candleholder placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
• Read and follow all manufacturer instructions carefully.

Is my candle biodegradable?
Probably. Studies have shown that beeswax, paraffin and vegetable-based waxes are biodegradable. The vast majority of candles today are made primarily from these waxes.

Are vegertable-based waxes water soluble?
No. By definition, a wax is not soluble in water.

Should I be concerned about lead wicks in candles?
The likelihood of purchasing a lead-wicked candle in the U.S. is low. Lead wicks have been officially banned in the United States since 2003, and before then they were primarily limited to inexpensive imported candles.

Why do some candles have metal-core wicks?
Metal-core wicks are sometimes used in container candles and votives to keep the wick upright when the surrounding wax liquefies during burning. Today's metal-core wicks are made with either zinc or tin. Scientific studies have repeatedly shown both zinc- and tin-core wicks to be safe and non-toxic.

Is paraffin wax toxic?
No. Paraffin wax is non-toxic. In fact, paraffin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in food, cosmetics, and medical applications. Food-grade paraffin is commonly used for manufacturing candles.

Where should Candles be Stored?
Candles are best stored in the refrigerator. Simply store them in an airtight container and the scent will be as wonderful as when you first brought them home. Don't freeze them (they will break), but keep them cool.

If burning candles with glass containers, please allow the glass and candle to return to room temperature before burning. We store our personal candles in a closet in a cool area of our home.
Always store your candles in a cool, dark and dry place. Tapers or dinner candles should be stored flat to preventing warping.

Avoid placing your candles where they will be directly exposed to sunlight or harsh indoor lighting, such as a spotlight. Candles may fade if they are left in bright light for an extended period of time.