Posts Tagged ‘Candle Safety’

Soy Wax Melting Safety Tips For Scented Soy Candles

Here is what not to do when you burn your soy candles

Halloween, Christmas and Thanksgiving are coming soon, and more people make, use, and give candles as gifts then any other time of the year. So I just wanted to urge everyone not to forget safety concerns.

Learn how long to burn soy candles, how to trim the candle wicks each time, and how to prevent tunneling which the candle on the left exhibits.  When candle wax burns down to the base of a glass container, there is a risk the glass could shatter from the heat. The spilling wax, and flames could start a fire. (Click here for more safety tips)

When you work with flammable candle wax making candles you must be extremely vigilant, and NEVER get distracted for any reason.

This is just one of the many reasons, I only make candles using soy wax. Although soy candle wax has a higher flash point than paraffin wax, spontaneous combustion will still occur if the wax is allowed to overheat. 

The melting point of soy wax is normally between temperatures of 110°F and 130 °F. While water boils at 212° F, well below flash point’s of soy waxes, or paraffin wax.

Understanding the flash point of  every wax you use is very important. Each one can be different. When any wax reaches it’s given flash point it will burst into flames by itself. You must understand the wax may not bubble or smoke, and when it explodes flaming wax can be thrown in every direction.

Avoid this potential catastrophe! Don’t risk burning down your home, or serious injury. Always use a double boiler, or a candle wax melter when you are making your candles, and follow all candle making instructions, and read any instructions from the candle wax  manufacturer. A word to the wise – if the wax is smoking it’s too hot .

Never melt wax in a microwave! You cannot control the temperature wax is heated up to, and microwaves vary tremendously in output strength. For example, the butter in my microwave peanut brittle recipe burns in one microwave, and does not finish cooking in another microwave because of lower wattage.

Several soy waxes I’ve looked at recently have flash points between 450°F and 600°F.  In comparison, many paraffin waxes list flash points near 395°F.  The melting point of soy wax between temperatures of 110°F and 130 °F

Just one more thing. Never burn candles in front of open windows where curtains may be blown towards them from a breeze. Never burn candles where children or pets are, because they will always do the unexpected.

Let’s have a happy, healthy, wealthy, and joyously prosperous holiday season!

Click and read how you can get your copy of  How to Make Scented Soy Candles, and free bonus books.

Candle Safety Labels Must Follow Candle Industry Standards

In the United States, candles must be labeled with safety information following specific guidelines developed by the ASTM International standards organization.

These guidelines are relevant in the United States, and are often reviewed by international regulation authorities and candle organizations worldwide.

Because fires resulting from candles were on the increase,during 1997 the National Candle Association got involved at the request of the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to lead the way in pioneering an ASTM subcommittee for the purposeof developing improved candle fireworks safety standards.

Membership on the ASTM subcommittee on candle products includes safety organizations, fire officials, the CPSC, and members of the NCA and other interested parties.

This has resulted in the publication of six ASTM candle standards. Two standards are reference standards.

Key ASTM Standards for Candles*

*Please be advised these are only descriptions of the standards to give a basic idea of the material covered. They are not the actual specifications. The actual ASTM standards are copyrighted by ASTM International. As of the date of this article copies of the actual standards may be purchased for download at www.ASTM.org. The charge to purchase each standard is roughly $39 each.

For more information on how to get your own soy candle business started from home, or just to make great scented soy candles as a hobbyist, please CLICK HERE.

Postal Regulation Requirements When Shipping Candle Fragrance Oils

The United States Post Office has the following guidelines to follow when shipping certain Liquids.  

Fragrance Oils For Scented Soy Candles

Liquids that combust over 200°F are not labeled as hazardous.

Flamable Liquids have flashpoints below 141°F and 199°F.

Combustible Liquids have flashpoints between 141.

More information is available in Publication 52 available at the link below to read.

                                 http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub52.pdf 
                                 http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_004.html#NwV341374edwa

International Mail:   Any Flamable or Combustible Liquid is prohibited from being shipped via International USPS mail. Anything below 200°F cannot be shipped. Combustible Liquids may be shipped using UPS Internationally, where they are not considered hazardous.

Domestic Mail:  To ship Combustible Liquids with the USPS you must use Parcel Post, and package must be clearly labeled with the correct flashpoint identified on the outside of the package. In addition, the package must have ORM-D Parcel Post only clearly labeled on the outside of the carton.

 Anyone shipping Fragrance Oils that are combustionable below 200°F using the International Postal service, or Priority Mail are doing so in violation of the law. I violations could be considered fraud, and the sender could risk fines up to $10,000, even imprisionment. Know the postal laws before you decide to ship any type of fragrance oil. It might help you be aware also, when you are purchasing Essential Oils, and Fragrance Oils. what method of shipping is being used to sent product to you.

If the seller is in violation of this USPS law, then you might want to reconsider purchasing product from them for your candles.

Click here to see Fragrances offered by Candlewic.

When you are ready to start making your own soy candles, or start your own soy candle business from home, all of the information you need to get started immediately is available.  Just CLICK HERE to be transfered to the books that will get you started.

Scented Soy Candles Tips on How to Make Candles for Beginners

I found a really nice article authored by Matt Droves today. It discusses the positive qualities of making scented soy candles, a mini history on the background of soy candle wax, he even discussed melting temperatures of the soy candle wax to preserve the white color of the soy wax, which I commend him for. He then goes on to discuss the additional of scents.

You might find this article an interesting read. To see the rest of the article click here.

Electric Soy Candle Warmers vs. Traditional Candle Warmer

Should You Use Electric Candle Warmers With Your Soy Candle Melts, Or Traditional Candle Power?

One of the ladies who  purchased my soy candle books, recently emailed me – she had followed my instructions on making soy candle melts, and really loved them, but she had a question….   ” I have made  some really wonderful soy candle melts, what is the best way to burn them? Should I use an electric candle wax melter or a candle warmer?”

I wanted to post this article so you can have options to consider when you want to use your soy wax melts.

Do you want to use a traditional candle warmer with candles lit underneath them, or would you like to use an electric candle warmer?  Read the rest of this entry »

Can An Additive Make Soy Wax Last Longer?

Help! Is there anything natural, or any type of additive that can be mixed into  candle wax to make it last longer? What about a soy blend wax, or palm wax?  I do not want to buy a lot of candle wax, because it is so expensive. Will adding fabric softener,  lotions, or shampoo increase the volume of the candle wax, and still burn?

Comments will be welcome, but I felt I should make a blog post in response to Shirley’s question posted under the blog comments instead of responding to her via email.

 Candle safety is a primary consideration.

Personally, I would not consider it safe to add any additive to a candle wax product you intend to burn, unless it is approved by the National Candle Association.   Read the rest of this entry »

Make Organic Soy Candles Slumber Party Idea for Young Ladies

Making Organic Soy Candles Becomes A Party Idea For Young Ladies To Use At Their Next Overnight Slumber Party

Young girls are always excited about the prospect of having a slumber party, but activities to occupy them are equally important. Why not consider teaching them how much fun it is to make their very own scented soy candles?

Not only will this make the party exciting, and unforgettable, but …..        Read the rest of this entry »

What are Triple Scented Soy Candles

Time and time again on the Internet, I have seen advertisements for soy candles being sold that are touted as Triple Scented Soy Candles.

The presumption with “Triple Scented” candles is the scent load held will be three times greater than the fragrance held by a normal candle. Unfortunately this isn’t always true.  A good quality, highly scented soy candle will have a potent scent that will be long lasting, and rapidly fill the air with scent inside your home.  Read the rest of this entry »

Soy Candles Scented or Unscented Can Be Pillars, Votives, Tealights, Even Soy Container Candles.

How to Make Soy Container Candles

 Soy candle types and wax can vary significantly from different manufacturers, and come in many forms. As a result, you need to consider what type of candle you are interested in making. Once you decide the type of candle you plan to make, then you can decide the type of soy candle wax required. This may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but my recommendation is to start with pouring a simple candle, and work your way up to the more complex candles as your experience grows. 

Aroma Melts

 Aroma Melts, are melted with heat given off from a candle burner.  For the purist, you will want to avoid fragrance oils, and use essential oils.  Aroma melt burners can use soy tea light candles to provide the heat needed for scenting the room. Some people choose to use electric burners which plug into electric sockets. I prefer to heat my natural soy melts with my natural homemade soy tea light candles.  

  Aroma melts plus a candle burner make great gifts ideas, and are easy make when they are needed. For holidays, I will use different melt shapes. For Valentine’s Day, I make heart shaped melts, adding my favorite romantic essential oil for the aromas I want.  

   

Soy Tealight Candles

 Soy tealight candles are fun and easy candle projects for the novice to begin with. These little candles can be used to heat candle burners, or simple burned in clusters for their own aromas. A great gift idea is to make a collection of soy tealights, and pleace them in sachet bags, to be used as gifts, or drawer fresheners.

 Soy votive candles are smaller than both  pillar candles, or soy container candles. Once poured they need to be burned in a votive candle holder, for the sake of safety.  It takes a harder wax to make a soy votive candle.  Once you have learned how to make soy votives using all natural soy wax, if you learn to add all natural essential oils, and natural plant colorants, you will have a perfect all natural soy wax candle. The key is the missing ingredients. No artifical scents, no artifical dyes, no petroleum based paraffin candle wax will be filling your air with toxins to contaminate the air you breath.   

A large number of soy votive candles burning together can be very attractive, and set a very special mood if you want to spend a romantic evening by candlelight.

White Soy Wax Pillar Candle

 Soy Container Candles 

 Container soy wax candles are just exactly that. Soy candles poured into containers. The containers may be glass, or even ceramic. Normally soy candle wax for containers is softer than other forms since there is a vessel to hold the melting wax. You can even use jelly jar containers, or mason jar containers for larger volume candles.  Making a high quality, pure soy candle in an high quality glass container can make a very elegant presentation.

Soy Pillar Candles 

 Pillar Soy Candles in groupings of monochromatic colors, and different sizes, can create a very stricking appearance, and a unique setting. 

When you want to make your own soy pillar candle, the process becomes a bit more advanced. Once again, a harder soy wax is needed to make soy pillar candles hold their shape, and form when the candle is being burned, to hold the wax pool that forms as the candle melts.

Pouring into molds, and setting wicks into place becomes even more important when you want to make soy pillar candles.

Good luck!  Enjoy, and have fun making candles!  To get more instructional manuals with all the information you need to make your own soy candles, click here.

Read the rest of this entry »