Yankee Candle

What is the origin of the wax used to make Yankee Candles? How is wax made?
Today, most candles are made from wax that is refined from crude oil. Years ago, in the 19th century and before, candles were made from beeswax, animal fat or waxes gathered from certain plants, like bayberries.

Where does the fragrance come from? Does Yankee Candle use essential oils?
The fragrances Yankee Candle uses come from many natural and synthetic sources. Most Yankee Candle fragrances contain both natural and synthetic elements. Natural oils are often very rare and expensive, some of these oils cost over $1000.00 per pound.

How can I keep my candles looking their best?
Candles will discolor or fade when they are exposed to intense light for extended periods. We do not recommend displaying your candles for long periods in direct sunlight, fluorescent lighting or other strong illumination. Wax will soften in temperatures over 80° Fahrenheit. This may cause Tapered candles to bend or negatively effect the quality of your candles. Store your candles in a cool, dry place.

Is wax flammable?
Yes, but it needs to be very hot, over 350° Fahrenheit, to burn on its own without a wick.

How long does each candle style burn?
There are several places they can be found. The bottom label of most products state the average burn time. We also make note of the burn time on each item listing.  

For best results, how long should I allow my Jar to burn at any given time?
The amount of time a candle should be burned depends upon how and where it is burned. If you burn a jar candle in a very cool room for several hours, it will leave more wax around the sides than if it was burned in a very warm room. To minimize wax left on the sides of the jar, burn 3 hours at a time. Be sure to keep the wick trimmed 1/8 to 1/4 inch while burning to ensure a clean burn. We also suggest using Yankee's Illuma Lids for their medium and large jar candles as they dramically reduce waste and cut down on soot.

Why is the flame so high? How do I fix this?
If the flame of any candle seems too high, blow out the candle, trim the wick and relight. This should correct the problem.

Why is the flame so low? How do I fix this?
The flame may become low if the candle is burned for more hours then it typically has been. Wax that has formed on the sides melts and reduces the length of the exposed wick. If the flame is too low and there is melted wax in the pool under the flame, blow out the candle carefully, pour out a small amount of wax and relight. This should increase the flame size. If the wick has been trimmed too low to relight, very carefully expose more of the wick by digging out a little wax around the wick. This should allow the candle to be relit.

Why does my candle smoke?
During its burn, any candle may smoke from time to time. Frequently, smoke may be caused from burning the candle in an area with a breeze. If you see more than an occasional waft of smoke, we recommend blowing out the candle, trimming the wick and relighting. This should solve the problem.

How does a candle burn?
The heat of the candle flame melts the wax fuel, which, through capillary action, travels up the wick to feed the flame.

Why do candles get mushroom shapes on the wicks?
When the candle is consuming wax more quickly than the flame can burn completely, carbon deposits may develop. This will most likely occur when the wick needs to be trimmed. Blow out the flame, trim the wick and carbon deposit off and relight. Do not allow the wick trimmings or other materials to fall into the wax pool.

What are the most popular fragrances?
Vanilla is an all around favorite. Beyond this, Yankee Candle has many different types of fragrances. Your choice may be eased by considering whether you prefer a floral, fruity, spicy or perfume type fragrance. Smell a few different styles and see what you think. We also offer fragrance descriptions to help offer you some insight to what the candle will smell like..

Do all the candles have fragrance and color throughout or just on the outside?
All of Yankee candles are fragranced and colored throughout, except for Tapered candles. Using a lighter core and concentrating the fragrance and color on the outside the Tapers remain drip-less.

Why are some scents weaker than others?
Just as some fragrances in nature are stronger and weaker, the fragrances that Yankee Candle uses vary in strength. Yankee Candle will always work to deliver the strongest, truest fragrance for everything they produce.

Why do some of the same scents vary in color?
Slight variations in color can occur from pour batch to pour batch. This is similar to variations that one sees in most colored products like fabrics and plastics.

Does Yankee Candle have a candle that “eats” smoke or cooking odors?
All of Yankee Candles fragranced candles will cover smoke or cooking odors. There is no magic ingredient that will make one candle more effective than others, though one of the stronger fragrances may work quickly to cover the odor.

How should I extinguish my candle after use?
Yankee Candle does not recommend any specific procedure to use in extinguishing their candles. Generally blowing lightly on the flame will put out the candle. To keep the candle from smoking after it is extinguished, we suggest covering the opening with the jar cap to keep any smoke from escaping.

Will my candles last longer if I refrigerate them before lighting?
Yankee has found that this has no real effect on the amount of time the candle will burn. A refrigerator is a cool, dry place to store tapered candles to keep them from warping in the summer, but the candle will not burn longer. If you do place your candles in the refrigerator, handle them carefully upon their removal to avoid a change in temperature that may cause the candle to crack.

Should I pour out the melted wax as the candle burns?
No, wax will melt as the candle burns. This melted pool of wax is normal, and it is actually responsible for sustaining the flame and for fragrancing. It will harden when the candle is blown out. Never pour off this melted wax unless the flame is very low, and you wish to enlarge it. If wax is poured out, always extinguish the candle before pouring.

Jar Candles

Are Yankee Candle Jars poured over a hard wax core?
No, Yankee Jar candles are filled with the same fragranced wax throughout.

Why do the instructions on my Jar candle say "discontinue use – when 1/2 inch of wax remains?"
The glass will get hot on the bottom as the flame nears the base of the jar and most of the wax has already been consumed. When this instruction is followed, the glass will not get too hot. For your safety, Yankee also recommends burning all candles on heat resistant surfaces.

Why does wax get hung up on the sides of my Jar?
It is not unusual that some wax remains on the sides of the jar candles as it burns. Yankee candles are designed to perform well within a wide variety of burning conditions. The degree to which the wax is consumed will depend upon how long the candle is burned at each lighting and the temperature of the room in which it is burned. In general through, a very dark colored candle is more apt to leave wax on the sides than one of a lighter color. We also suggest using Yankee's Illuma Lids to aid in the even melting of jar candles..

Why do Yankee Candle Jars have that marbleized look?
That marbleized look is called mottling. These unique swirls and patterns in the wax add to the aesthetic delight of Yankee Candles.

Why are the jars the strongest scented candle?
Yankee Candle Jars will give off more fragrance, because fragrance is given off from the liquid wax pool under the flame, not the flame itself. This pool is wider in a jar candle than in a Sampler, resulting in more fragrance being dispersed in the air.

How do I light a Jar candle when it is very low?
Yankee would highly recommend the use of stick matches or a lighter designed to reach into the glass to relight the jar candles. Do not hold the candle sideways to relight the jar. This could cause the flame from the match to directly touch the side of the jar. This extreme heat on one isolated part of the glass may cause the jar to break.

Do I need to put something under the Jars while they are burning?
Yankee Candle recommends that all jar candles be burned on a protected, heat resistant, dry surface.

Can I wipe the black soot out of the neck of the Jar?
Yes, wiping the neck with a soft cloth should not effect the candle. Be sure, however, to extinguish the candle before cleaning. Do not allow debris to accumulate in the candle, and be careful not to break off the wick too low to relight.

How do I get the wick base out of the Jar?
Do not pry at the base with any object including your hand. The glass could break and cut you. If it is very important that the wick base be removed, complete the following steps. Remove all of the wax with warm water, pour enough isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to cover the base and allow this to sit for a few days. This should soften the glue and release the base.

Can I refill my Jar candle when it is empty?
Yankee Candle does not recommend refilling the jar candle when they are empty. Glass weakens as it accumulates bumps and scratches from its use. It is therefore not as strong after it is used as when it was first purchased.

Why does Yankee recommend Samplers not be burned in some glassware?
Sampler candles produce more heat than Tea Lights and melt to fill the container in which they are used. Some glassware is too wide to allow the Sampler to burn for an acceptable period of time. Other glassware may be too low and wax could spill over the rim when a Sampler is used.

Should I burn a Sampler freestanding?
No, Yankee Samplers should not be burned freestanding. They are designed to burn in a votive holder in order to contain the liquid wax as they melt. They will burn out very quickly with a high flame and spill wax on the surface on which they are burned if they are burned freestanding. Votive holders that offer the candle a snug fit will give off the longest burn time.

How do I get all the wax out of my Sampler holder?
Let the holder cool, then place it in your freezer for approximately 10 to 15 minutes and let the wax harden, the wax should pop out in your hand. If this is not the case, using hot water can dissolve the wax. Be sure to dry the holder before using it for another Sampler. We have found that in placing a small drop or two of water into the bottom of the holder, prior to placing the votive candle inside, often allows for the small remaining amounts of wax and wick holder to quickly and cleanly remove.

What's the difference between a Tart and a Tea Light candle?
Tarts are poured without wicks, and designed to be used in a potpourri warmer. The Tart is melted by the heat of the flame from the unscented tea light placed below the warming dish. In melting the wax, the fragrance is then diffused into the air. Scented Tea Lights burn slightly hotter then unscented tea lights and should only be burned in open containers in which heat will not build up. They are not designed to be used with Tarts..

How long does a Tart last?
Yankee Candle is confident that your tart will last for at least eight hours; however, many people find they do last longer.

How can I remove the Tart from my potpourri burner?
Generally after the Tart wax re-hardens, it will easily slide out of the potpourri burner. Potpourri burners are manufactured in different ways, and you may find it necessary to carefully pour out the melted wax into a lined wastebasket. Another option could be to harden the wax in a freezer, and pop the wax out into your hand. We recommend this method as the safer and cleaner method of the two options.

How does a potpourri burner work?
A simmering potpourri warmer generally consists of a bowl, under which is a flat surface to burn an unscented Tea Light (Tart Warmer). In the bowl, you can place one of the Yankee Tarts. These highly fragranced wax Tarts will melt from the heat of the Tea Light and give off a strong fragrance for several hours. Yankee Candle does not recommend using scented Tea Lights in potpourri burners, as they have a higher flame and are not designed for this purpose. In addition, never add water to your wax tart.

What is the difference between a Tart and a floating candle?
The floating candle, just as the name implies, is a candle that will float on water while it is burning. Many people will burn several in a large bowl of water as an ornamental centerpiece on a table. The Tart does not have a wick and is not a candle at all. It should be used in the top of a Simmering Potpourri Burner as a more fragrant, easier to use substitute for potpourri and water.

Should I reshape my Pillar as it burns?
You can, it's up to you, but be careful not to drown the wick as you push in the sides. Yankee Candle Pillars typically do not require adjustment to burn well.

Is it alright to burn a Pillar in an empty Jar?
Yankee Candle DOES NOT recommend that Pillars be burned in an empty jar. Pillars are designed to perform at their best free standing. A container, such as an empty jar, will retain too much heat and may reduce the air supply that the candle needs to burn. This may cause the Pillar to drip and burn poorly.

Why do Tapers sometimes drip if they are drip-less?
Yankee Candle Tapers are produced to be drip-less. Always trim the Taper wick to 1/4 inch before lighting. This will reduce the chances of your candle dripping. The outside coating is slightly harder than the wax on the inside. While the candle is burning, this outer shell produces a barrier to dripping in most situations. If the Taper is exposed to more significant drafts, heat sources, or are not placed in the holder perfectly straight, they may drip because the outer shell has weakened in all these situations.

Taper dripped wax on my tablecloth. How should I clean up the mess?
Place a clean paper towel over the area of the fabric that has the dripped hardened wax. Then glide a warm steam iron over the paper towel, and the hardened wax will transfer to the paper towel and off the fabric. You can also use cold water to remove the larger wax pieces from the fabric. After much of the wax has been removed, run hot water through the fabric, confining the water to the stained area. Many people have found this procedure most effective to remove the stain. Also, citrus-based cleaners help to lighten and often completely remove any remaining dye stain.

If you have a candle tip or trick, feel free to contact us, and be would be happy to share the information with all our "Burning Obsessed" guests on our web site..