Wet spots in candles? What are they and how to help minimize them?

Wet spots forming in your candles is one of the biggest complaints I find among candle makers. Wet spots, are caused by shrinkage and air bubbles that occur as the wax is cooling inside the container. The wax pulls away from the glassware giving it this particular look. The good thing is that it does not affect the way the candle burns; it just doesn't look very appealing. 

As a candle maker, I have had some troubles with this myself, so I decided to see what I could do to minimize the problem. First, I put my jars in the dishwasher. Give them a thorough cleaning to get any dust from the warehouse out. Just make sure when they are done; they are completely dry before pouring. Secondly, the room that you pour candles in should really be between about 70-72 degrees for best results.  Lastly, the temperature of the wax needs to be just right. Candle wax suppliers have a listed pouring temp. To high or too low of wax can being poured into cooler containers cause those troubled areas. You can also preheat your jars if you want to. The preheated jar will allow the wax to solidify slower, so those air bubbles have time to escape.

These are just some of the things I've researched and tried that have helped me. 

Common myths/misconceptions about candles

1.    Soy candles do not smoke- This is probably the biggest misconception about candles ever! There is no such thing as a soot free candle. Science lesson time, all waxes are essentially composed of hydrocarbon molecules, part hydrogen and carbon. So yes, all candles CAN smoke. However, the culprit of candle smoke is the wick. Candle wicks do need to be trimmed to ¼ inch every time you light them to ensure proper burning.

2.     Candle soot is harmful- Candle soot is just due to an incomplete combustion process. When you do not keep your wick properly trimmed, it interferes with the combustion process. Also, since all waxes are essentially hydrocarbons, the soot you see is primarily carbon based.

3.    Freezing your candle will make it last longer- Apparently; this is a fairly widespread rumor. I am really not sure what the thought process behind this theory was, but just an FYI, moisture and wax do not mix well. Plus, freezing the candle will most likely cause your wax to crack.

4.    The metal inside of wicks are lead- Definitely False. The Center for Disease Control has outlawed lead based products in 1978. According to the National Candle Association, lead wicks have been officially banned in the US since 2003.  So do not worry, that metal you may see in wicks is just zinc and completely harmless.

5.    Paraffin wax is hazardous to your health- This is just another myth created by the soy candle companies to sell more soy candles. However, just to be clear, all candle waxes are non-toxic. In fact, paraffin wax has been approved by the FDA for use not only in candles, but also in cosmetics and more.

6.    Just because its soy, its natural- Oh boy, where do I start? Many of the soy candles you see on shelves are not actually 100% soy.

Soy wax is a very soft wax and has lower melting points, causing it to burn faster. So, many companies will blend it with another wax or add additives like chemical hardeners to make the wax more durable. Then, there is the fragrance oil and dyes to consider. Generally, if it’s dyed, it’s not natural. Even soy candles made with essential oils are not “all natural” because the wax is chemically produced from a soybean.

7.    There is only one candle wax best for candles- False. There are many types of waxes that can be used to make candles. They are Soy, paraffin, beeswax, palm and blend waxes. Each one has its own pros and cons. Be sure to do your research on each before deciding on one.

8.    Why the tops of the candles faded over time or turn yellowish in color- The reasoning behind this is because you have allowed your candles to be exposed to direct sunlight. The fragrance in your candle is oxidizing. Oxidizing is the chemical process that happens when the hydrocarbons in the wax meet oxygen.

9.    Essential oils are safer because they are natural- Essential oils are in fact natural, but they are not necessarily any safer. Essential oils are extremely concentrated. This, itself, can pose a health risk if not used properly. Many of them are not skin safe unless you dilute them. Always carefully follow instructions for the best results.

Thanks for reading this article, and I hope it will help to clear up those pesky rumors and misunderstandings about candles.

Sources for this article

National Candle Association http://candles.org/faqs/

Candles Etcetera http://www.candlesetcetera.com/soy_vs_paraffin.html

US candle company, https://www.uscandleco.com/does-freezing-candles-help.html

Candle luscious http://www.candle-licious.com/soy-vs-paraffin-wax-candles.html

 Natures Garden, http://www.naturesgardencandles.com/mas_assets/theme/ngc/pdf/909.pdf

Relax and De-stress 2018

Christmas Season has come and gone for another year! I don’t know about you, but I could use a little de-stressing myself. After all the money spent, the hustle & bustle of endless shopping trips, and horribly long lines this season, not to mention family gatherings, we could all use some relaxation time, right?

Just in time for the New Year, we have the perfect candle for you. We call it spa sensation. Just light it, sit back, relax and let the soothing aroma of Bamboo, flowers and musk melt your stress away. You will feel like you are in a luxurious spa. Spa Sensation awaits you as part of our new Premium line.

While you’re here, check out what other fresh scents we have in store. 

What is Allie`s Tallow and how are we different?

Allies Tallow is a small, family based business started by Allie, to provide clients with high quality candles at an affordable price. We take great pride that all of our candles are handcrafted locally in Indiana.

All of our candles are a soy blend with zinc-cored wicks, so they do burn clean and even all the way down. Also, the scent is mixed evenly throughout so that you can be assured to get the same scent throw from start to finish. The lasting aroma will fill your home when the candle is lit. With tons of fragrances to choose from, you are bound to find the perfect one for you.

Using a soy blend wax you get the best of both worlds, the candle burns clean and even AND holds the fragrance all throughout the candle. Depending on how often you burn, our standard country line 16 oz jar candles can last about 100 hours and our 13.5 oz premium candles about 70 hours. Which is another great plus for customers!

Throughout the years we have tried and tested different waxes and wicks to come up with a great product customers really love. Don’t just take our word for it, check out the testimonials on our website to see what customers have said

Allie's Tallow new look and inspiration

Allie`s Tallow new look and inspiration

At Allie`s Tallow we strive to keep our products looking new and fresh. Whether it is coming out with new fragrances, products, or new labels. As you might know over the years we have been in business we have had many looks. Within the past five years though, we have settled on one particular look, “country.” Since we are located in Guilford, IN it only seemed fitting, right?

So we stuck with that, selling them at craft shows, online, as well as getting them put in some local stores. As we reached out to other stores about selling my candles, they turned them down because they were too “country” looking. That got me thinking, if we wanted to get them in more stores, we have to appeal to the market. So, to stay on top of things, we had to step it up. We had to take things to the next level.

So, through months of researching suppliers, working with a design team, and testing the product, the hard work finally paid off. The new Allie`s Tallow premium line was born. It is a sleeker, more sophisticated line of candles offered with a new modernized label and premium fragrances.  Also to reveal my new line, is the new and improved website. The dream had finally come to reality. We would like to thank the design team at Envoi Design located in downtown Cincinnati, without whom this project could not have been made possible.