Frequently Asked Questions
What is a soy candle?
A soy candle is made from soybean wax. Wax of soybeans are a non-toxic, naturally-occurring, biodegradable, renewable sustainable resource. A 100% soy candle burns cleaner, cooler, slower, and more evenly than traditional petroleum-based and/or paraffin-based wax candles.
What should you know about burning soy candles safely?
Soy candles are safe when burned properly and responsibly. Also please follow the manufacturers’ directions. When burning soy candles, consumers should always follow these basic safety rules:
Keep wax free of matches, wick trimmings, or other flammable materials.
Keep wick centered & trimmed to 1/4 in. to prevent smoking & soot build up on container or other items.
Burn only on stable heat resistant surface for not more than 4 hours at a time.
Keep out of drafts.
Discontinue use when only 1/2 in. of wax remains in bottom.
Do not move candle while burning or if wax is hot. Keep out of reach of children and pets.
Never leave a burning candle unattended.
Is the wax you use pure soybean wax or do you mix it with paraffin wax?
We use pure soybean wax in our soy candles.
How to store soy candles?
Store your candles in a cool, dry place away from direct and indirect sunlight. Fading or clouding caused by sun damage or florescent lighting or from your candles being exposed to heat are nonnegotiable and are not refundable. Wax will soften and start to melt in temperatures over 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Store your candles in a cool, dry place, and away from direct and indirect sunlight. Soy candles discolor and fade when they are exposed to intense light for extended time periods. Do not display your soy candles in sunlight, fluorescent lighting or other strong illumination.
Do your products expire?
We recommend that all products are used within 12 months of opening. Unused products are best if stored in a dark, cool room.
How do you make your soy candles?
Each and every soy candle is carefully created and hand-poured to ensure quality. We pride ourselves in paying special attention to each detail, and bringing you the finest quality, luxury soy candle on the market.
Do your soy candles smell good? I’ve tried others that didn’t smell very strong?
Yes, our soy candles are drenched in the maximum amount of fragrance that our soy wax will allow. You may find one scent to be stronger than another, but this is due to the nature of that particular scent and not the strength of the fragrance oil itself. We thoroughly test hundreds of samples to bring you the finest quality fragrances available. Soy candles do take approximately 7 days to 2 weeks to cure.
Why is there what appears to be wet spots in the soy candle?
The soy wax isn’t making contact with the glass in some parts of the container and appears as a wet spot. Is this a defect? No. This is normal.Therefore, you may notice some wet looking spots on your soy candle. This is simply where the soy wax has adhered to the glass surface. This is caused by temperature variations and is simply due to the expansion and contraction of the soy wax. You will notice that they change as the soy candle is burned and even when your room conditions change. This characteristic is normal and does not affect the quality, consistency or performance of the soy candle when burned properly. Soy candles are very sensitive to temperature and light changes so be aware of the location when placing or storing your luxury soy candle. Place your soy candle away from sunlight, fluorescent lighting and sources of heat. When traveling with your soy candles, be careful as extremes in temperatures will melt or freeze them. We are certain that once you see how wonderful soy candles are you will never want to go back to paraffin candles!
Why are some fragrances discontinued?
A particular fragrance may decline in popularity to the point that it is no longer practical to continue making them. In most cases we can still get that particular fragrance if you want it. You may just need to request it.
What if I spill my soy candle? How do I clean it up?
Consult the laundering instructions provided by the manufacturer of the tablecloth or other fabric. Professional cleaners are valuable sources of information. If attempting to clean the item yourself, it is important to allow the wax to completely harden. Once hard, gently chip away the larger pieces of wax from the fabric. After much of the wax has been removed, run hot water through the fabric. Citrus-based or oil-based cleaners are the most effective in removing stains. We clean up wax spills with very warm soapy water using a mild detergent.
If I wanted to use my empty candle jar for storage, how can I remove the metal wick base?
Once all wax is removed, simply pour in enough rubbing alcohol to cover the base and allow the jar to sit for a few days. The rubbing alcohol should soften the glue and release the base. It is important that you allow the rubbing alcohol time to work and that you don’t pry at the base with your hand or any object.
Can I cancel my order before it ships?
There will be a 30% fee for orders canceled before being shipped. Due to the integrity of our products, we can NOT accept returns on any orders without prior approval and never to orders shipped outside the USA. Also please remember that all shipping and fees are between you the buyer and the shipping company and will never be refunded by Luci Dolci Candles.
Can I refill my jar candle when it is empty?
Glass weakens as it accumulates bumps and scratches from use so we do not recommend refilling jars for re-use as a candle. They make terrific catch-alls and holders for all kinds of items around your home: buttons, nails, cotton balls, plants or pencils. Most local recycling agencies will accept empty glass jars.
Why is there wet oil on top of my container candle?
This is called “Soy Sweat”. Since soybean wax has a lower melting point than paraffin wax, it can release excess moisture that it cannot hold (usually due to extreme temperature changes due to shipping – i.e. going from hot trucks to air-conditioned environment or going from cold trucks in the winter to heated stores). You can leave it or wipe it out with a tissue or paper towel. Sweat from soy candles will NOT affect the burn quality and will generally not show up again after your first burn. For optimum performance of soy candles, please store in a cool area out of in-direct and direct sunlight. Since our soy candles are highly scented they are more likely to sweat when warmed during shipping. This is just excess fragrance oils coming to the surface and will not effect the performance of the candle’s burn. It is recommended that you blot the top with a kleenex or paper towel to prevent spillage.
What makes the candles turn yellow?
Several factors will cause your candle to turn yellow after time. We strongly recommend displaying your candles in areas that do not have fluorescent lighting, direct sunlight or other strong lighting. Some oils, especially those with vanilla in them have the ability to turn yellow very easy. Our new fragrance oils have so much essential oil and raw materials in them now making the color changes more prevalent. If you wish to have an additive mixed in to help with this you may request one with your order.
Why is there sometimes frost (cauliflower bursts) in soy candles?
Soy wax is a natural substance that has it’s own natural traits. Natural wax often produces a frosted look similar to “mottling” or what some call “star-bursts” or “cauliflower”. The natural vegetable base is much like chocolate and reacts like chocolate when warmed and cooled. This is a natural characteristic and should not be considered a flaw. We want to keep the pureness of soybean wax therefore our soy candles do not contain chemicals to prohibit this effect.
The candles I ordered look slightly different in color. Some change color after time. Is this normal?
Yes. Each fragrances type is made from different oils with different plant and essence material in each. These different materials cause each oil to be a different color, making it possible that each set ordered at different times will be slightly different in color also. Each fragrance oil infused with soy wax can produce a slight variation in wax color from candle to candle. Be assured that this is a normal characteristic in natural soy candles. It will not affect the quality, consistency or performance of the candle when properly burned. Again, all natural soy candles will take on the appearance and color change of the oil in them. Sometimes the color will change considerably when burning. This is a completely natural occurrence and does not affect the quality of the product. Some oils start to change colors within days, and others may take months.
I have certain allergies. Is it safe for me to burn soy candles?
Because Luci Dolci Candles uses natural and pure ingredients, there is a much lower potential for aggravating allergies in people and animals. We recommend that if you know of a potential allergy you may have to one or any of our ingredients or fragrance types, that you consult with your doctor or allergist before purchasing or burning any candle.
Where should I burn my soy candle?
It is best to burn your soy candle on a stable, protected, hard surface away from drafts and material that could catch fire.
How long should I burn my soy candle?
Luci Dolci Candles are created to burn cleaner, longer and with less soot. In order to do so, we recommend that they be burned for no less than an hour at a time. The optimal burn time is anywhere from 2 to 3 hours at a time. Doing so allows both the candle fragrance to distribute throughout a room, and it allows the soy wax to heat evenly to the sides of the candle, so that it burns down evenly and with minimal residue.
What is the right room temperature to burn a soy candle?
We recommend burning your Luci Dolci Candles in at least a 60° F room. Do not burn in a room temp of more than 85° F. Soy wax burns cooler and has a low burn temperature. Therefore, burning a soy candle in a too cool or too hot room could affect the distribution of fragrance or evenness of the candle’s burn, making for a poor scent throw.
Should I trim the wick of my soy candle before lighting?
Yes. With the exception of the first time you burn it, you should always trim the wick. Trimming the wick prior to burning your soy candle makes for a safer burn. It also cuts down on soot, and promotes a longer candle life. An easy way to trim your candle prior to burning is to simply pinch off the tip of the wick between your thumb and index finger with a napkin or by using a wick trimmer. Of course, you should always make sure the wick is cool to the touch before attempting to trim it and that the wax has hardened.
What is the best way to care for my candle wick?
Always keep wicks trimmed to 1/4″ (a nub) to keep candles from smoking. Soy candles do not emit toxins but if the wick is too long, or the candle is burned more than 3 hours, soot from the wick may accumulate on the jars. This is NOT the same as the toxic soot left from paraffin candles. If the candle is not burned in the appropriate size room for the size of the candle, the aroma may not disperse properly and may effect the fragrance saturation in the room. (example: A 10 oz size candle is for a small room of approx. 15 by 15. Rooms larger than this will require more than one candle of the same scent for aroma to linger appropriately.)
Will my soy candle produce black soot?
If burned properly, soy wax candles are virtually soot free. Soy wax in and of itself is soot free! However, natural cotton wicks will smoke if not burned properly, or if the wicks are never trimmed. Remember to trim any “mushrooms” that may develop on your wick or if the wick(s) begin to smoke! Please follow the burning instructions located on the bottom of your soy candles container.
Flame too small and/or not getting a good scent throw?
Soy Candles Have a Memory! When burning your soy candle for the very first time, it is extremely important that you give it a “memory burn”. You should burn the soy candle for at least 1 hour for each inch of its diameter (also called a ‘full melt pool’). For example: a candle 3″ in diameter should be burned for three hours to establish its “memory”. This allows your soy candle to establish a full melt pool increasing the scent throw of the candle. If a soy candle isn’t given a proper memory burn (meaning if your candle is burned for too short a period of time), it will burn down the center (Tunnel Burn) and the best scent throw will not be achieved.
Are the wicks supposed to bend over when they are burning?
We use cotton wicks in our soy candles. Wicks are designed to be trimmed to 1/4 inch before each burn. Natural wicks are fragile so please be very careful not to damage your wick when trimming. We recommend extinguishing using a wick dipper. To properly extinguish your candles, dip burning wicks into melt pool then back in upright position (You can purchase retail wick dippers for this purpose). This will create much less smoke! Don’t trim your wick until the wax is completely cool.
What causes “mushrooming” of the wick (carbon build)?
The main factors contributing to “mushrooming” are the choice of wick (type and size), the fuel used (wax) and what has been put into the wax. Luci Dolci Candles burn exceptionally clean. Scent and color are non-fuel sources which can collect in the wick creating the “mushroom” or carbon ball that occurs.
What forms of payments do you accept?
Luci Dolci Candles accepts all major credit cards, Paypal.com, company checks or US Postal Money Orders (products do not ship until payment has cleared our bank). There is a NSF check return fee of $45.00 per check.
How long does it take to get your order?
We usually ship regular retail orders within 5-7 business days, beginning the day after payment is received. Large orders may take longer. Business days are Monday through Friday. Shipping time can take 2 to 5 days, depending on your location and distance from us. Orders are completed in the order which payment is received. Wholesale orders usually take from 3-6 weeks depending on the size of the order and location for delivery.
Do you accept cancellations?
If you need to cancel an order, we ask that you let us know within the first 24 hours after placing an order. If you wait any longer than 24 hours your order can not be canceled.
What is the best way to contact Luci Dolci Candles?
If for some reason you need to contact us and you have not found the answer to your question in our FAQ section, you may do so through our contact form found on this site. We will respond to your inquiry within one to two business days.
Can we make special requests with our order?
Special requests can always be made. The only problem with special requests is the room for errors. Every special request should be submitted in an email with instructions (don’t forget to list the order number). When new employees come or regulars are sick, you could have someone working on your order that has not done so before so please include as much detail as possible. By doing this, you will help ensure your orders arrive exactly as you expect them too.
Complaints
Luci Dolci Candles prides itself on our exceptional customer service. We are also very proud of our products and their quality. If you find yourself unhappy with any product or service received from Luci Dolci Candles, or are disappointed with your overall buying experience, please contact us via email so that we may discuss options. We will do our very best to resolve any issues you may have.
Suggestions
Are there products that you would like Luci Dolci Candles to offer? Do you have special fragrance suggestions for us? Do you have ideas for updates or changes you would like to see us make to our website. Did you find spelling and/or grammar mistakes? If you have any suggestions or ideas please feel free to contact us. One of our friendly personnel will be more than happy to accommodate you.
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Once you burn a soy candle, you’ll never burn paraffin again!
