faq

It depends on the size. 8 ounce Kandle: (2 1/2" mouth diameter): 25+ hours 16 ounce Kandle (2 1/2" mouth diameter): 50+ hours 8 ounce Kandle: (3" mouth diameter): 16 ounce Kandle: (3" mouth diameter):

It’s official. Our fragrance line is completely, totally, 100% phthalate-free. So...why? ​ We embarked on a deep dive into the chemistry of fragrance, and we were not happy with some of the things we discovered. Many of the fragrances that are sold, that we loved, that we used in our homes and around our families, had ingredients that simply weren’t great. The main offender? Phthalates. ​ For many years phthalates, and the fragrances that contained them, were considered acceptable by industry leaders and standards. Many within the industry still consider them acceptable, but faced with what we learned, we could no longer accept “acceptable.” ​ What exactly are phthalates? Why do we care about them? Phthalates, or phthalate esters, are a group of chemicals with a variety of different uses and applications. The most common use is in the manufacturing of plastics to make them more flexible and durable, but phthalates can be found in pharmaceuticals, building materials, cleaning products, and other household goods As candle and soap makers, we are primarily concerned with the phthalates that are used in cosmetic applications: dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP). This is an important distinction because of the three, only DEP is still commonly used in fragrance. We’ve seen companies make claims of being “phthalate-free,” only to specify in the fine print they are free of dibutyl phthalates—a misleading statement since DBP is not typically used in fragrance to begin with. ​ Diethyl phthalates were used extensively in the fragrance industry in the past, primarily as solvents to dissolve the raw materials that go into fragrance formulations. Another common function is increasing the hot throw of a fragrance in soy wax. Not only are diethyl phthalates very effective at these jobs, they’re also widely available and inexpensive. ​ Over the last decade or so, more and more research has been done on the effects of phthalates on human health. In addition to their status as endocrine disruptors, phthalates are linked to increased risk of breast cancer, fertility issues, and other health problems. The research into the health risks of exposure to phthalates is ongoing, but it’s clear to us that if we can remove these risks from the equation entirely, we should. ​ Are we being overly cautious with this project? We’ve asked ourselves that many times. When handled carefully in areas with proper ventilation, when burned under ideal conditions, when disposed of properly, the risks posed by fragrances containing phthalates are low. But, we get lots of emails and messages from our customers about dogs eating candles, cats getting a little too curious about fragrances, or even our children! We see all these examples and more of non-ideal situations, applications, and handling procedures. We can give our best advice and share best practices, but we cannot control how our fragrances are used, under what conditions, or curious kids and creatures. What we can control, is the ingredients in our fragrances. ​ Phthalates are used in fragrances because they’re very effective and very inexpensive, meaning that removing them wasn’t as simple as just taking them out. Other solvents that can replace DEP (diethyl phthalate) might not perform the same or may have a different smell, or just won’t function in a candle application. Sometimes DEP may be added to a raw material that makes up a larger ingredient in a fragrance, so the entire ingredient must be replaced. Or, DEP may be a crucial ingredient for helping the fragrance throw well. As a result, the whole fragrance must be rebalanced. ​ We have always been committed to having the safest, highest quality, most thoroughly tested fragrance line in our industry. We are responsible for the products we sell, and if we aren’t striving to make them as good as they can possibly be, we aren’t fulfilling the mission we set out on. We want our community have an experience through smell like no other company in existence, but safely. Regulations are always changing, and we will keep responding as new information and research becomes available. This particular project may be done, but the work continues.

What do top notes, middle notes and base notes mean when talking about fragrance? A perfect combination of these three notes makes a fragrance lasting and appealing. Top Note - This is the initial impression the fragrance oil makes when you first smell a candle or remove the lid. It is the most volatile, meaning it will evaporate the quickest. Middle Note - The middle note is the “heart” of the fragrance. It can take 10 to 20 minutes for the middle notes to fully develop. When you are burning a candle, the middle notes are the most prominent. Base Note - also called the “Dry Down”- The base notes are what give a candle lasting qualities. It is the scent that lingers even after the candle is extinguished.