How long does a Moliko Home candle burn?
Around 80 hours. Each candle is a 450g double-wick soy wax candle, and burn time varies a little with room temperature and draught — a candle burned in short sittings in a still room will generally outlast one burned in long sittings near an open window.
What wax do you use?
Premium soy wax, which is made from soybean oil and is both renewable and biodegradable. Soy burns cooler and more slowly than paraffin, so a candle lasts longer and releases its fragrance gradually rather than in a rush at the start.
How do I get the best burn from a new candle?
Let the first burn run for two to four hours, until the melted wax reaches the edge of the glass all the way around. Soy wax has a memory: whatever diameter it melts to on the first burn is the diameter it will keep returning to. Getting that first burn right is the single thing that most affects how the candle behaves for its whole life. Never burn for more than four hours at a time.
Why is my candle tunnelling?
Tunnelling — where the wick burns a narrow shaft down the middle and leaves a ring of hard wax around the edge — almost always means the first burn was cut short before the melt pool reached the glass. You can often recover it by burning the candle for three or four uninterrupted hours to re-level the surface. Trimming the wick and keeping the candle away from draughts helps it stay even.
How often should I trim the wick, and how short?
Trim both wicks to about 6mm before every single burn, once the wax has set and the candle is cool. A long wick produces a tall, flickering flame that sends up soot, blackens the glass and burns through wax faster than it should. Don't cut it too short either — a wick trimmed below the surface will be engulfed by wax and drown.
Why has a little ball formed on the end of my wick?
That's mushrooming, and it is completely normal in soy wax. A small carbon ball builds up on the wick tip as the candle burns; it isn't a fault and it doesn't mean anything is wrong with the candle. Trim the ball off before the next burn and take the wick back to about 6mm, which keeps the candle burning gently rather than hotter than it should.
What's the best way to put a candle out?
Use a candle snuffer or a wick dipper rather than blowing it out. Blowing pushes the wicks off centre, which makes the candle burn unevenly from that point on, and it can splash hot wax across the surface. A dipper — which pushes the wick into the melted wax and lifts it back out — also re-coats the wick so it lights more easily next time. Both help you get the full burn time out of the candle.
Does a draught really matter?
More than most people expect. Candles burn best in still air. In a draught the flame is pulled to one side, which burns the wax unevenly and makes the candle smoke, and in bad cases it undermines one side enough that the candle collapses inward. If you can't avoid the draught, turn the candle periodically so the melt pool stays level.
Why is there black on the rim of the glass?
Wipe it away with a damp cloth once the candle is cool. It's harmless in itself, but it's a signal: black at the rim usually means the wick is too long and the flame is running hot. Trim both wicks back to about 6mm before the next burn and it should stop coming back.
How should I store my candles?
Upright, out of direct sunlight and away from fluorescent light. Candles are sensitive to temperature and light, and fragrances with a high vanilla content — Creamed Vanilla and Vanilla Noir especially — may yellow over time if they're left in the light. That is a normal characteristic of natural vanilla and does not affect how the candle burns or how it smells.
What is the dried lime slice in Lime & Leaf, and do I remove it?
Yes, remove it after the first burn. The dehydrated lime slice on Lime & Leaf is a decorative botanical only — it contributes nothing to the fragrance and it is not intended to be burned. Left in place as the wax level drops, it becomes a fire hazard. Lift it out once the first burn is done and discard it.
Can I reuse the glass jar?
Yes — the vessel is meant to be kept. When the candle is finished, let the last of the wax set, lift it out, and wash the glass in warm soapy water. The cream glass makes a good holder for brushes, cotton buds, tealights or a small plant.
Are soy candles better than paraffin candles?
For most people, yes on the measures that matter day to day. Soy wax is renewable rather than petroleum-derived, burns at a lower temperature so the candle lasts noticeably longer, and produces less visible soot. Paraffin can throw a stronger scent immediately, but soy carries fragrance more evenly across the whole life of the candle.
How should I burn a candle safely?
Never leave a burning candle unattended, keep it away from children, pets, curtains and anything else that can catch, and always set it on a heat-resistant surface. Burn for no more than four hours at a time, and stop using a candle once about 10mm of wax remains in the base so the glass does not overheat.
Do you take custom, gift or wholesale orders?
Yes. Moliko Home takes enquiries for custom fragrances, gift orders and wholesale or stockist arrangements. Send an enquiry with what you have in mind and roughly how many candles you need, and you'll get a reply with options and pricing.
Where are Moliko Home candles made?
Every Moliko Home candle is hand poured in Bannockburn, Victoria, in small batches, by the person who makes them. There is no factory line — each batch is poured, cured and checked by hand before it goes out. Candles ship Australia-wide.
