THE BURNING QUESTIONS!

What are wooden wick candles?

Brace yourself, you are in for a unique sensory experience of sight, scent and sound. The wicks used in our candles are made from sustainable timber which crackles softly when it burns, like a fireplace!

Are your candles environmentally friendly?

We’re outdoor enthusiasts and are passionate about an eco responsible lifestyle so we’re stoked you asked! 

We’ve selected wooden wicks that are made from 100% natural timber. Our soy wax is naturally biodegradable and non-GMO.

Our shipping packaging is all biodegradable, recyclable and 100% plastic free! We reuse shipping boxes and packaging material whenever possible. Bubble wrap and polystyrene peanuts contribute a considerable amount to landfill each year and are non-biodegradable, meaning they are difficult or impossible to decompose. We protect your products during shipping using an innovative and environmentally friendly kraft material alternate which is 100% recyclable, compostable, biodegradable and is manufactured using SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certified or recycled content!

Our candle jars and Tinnys are strategically hand picked with an intent to be repurposed or recycled after the final flame burns out. For ideas about how you can repurpose your candle container, visit our Three R’s page.

We’re working hard to continuously reduce our carbon footprint and operate in a more environmentally sustainable manner. Although, we’ve kept our answer as short as humanly possible, feel free to email us for more information about how we’re working to bring a more sustainable candle into your home!

Where are you based?

We are based in Canberra, ACT (aka the bush capital!)

Are your products tested on animals?

Our candles are tested on family and friends, not on animals!

Why are your candles named after places in Australia?

Our wooden wick candles are unique and characterful, much like the wide, brown land that inspired them. For this reason, our fragrances are all attributed to some of our favourite towns or regions in Australia. 

Hanging out for another trip up north? Or maybe down south? Since memory and smell are so closely linked, we’ll take your senses on an instant holiday! 

If you want your town or region featured on one of our candles, head over to our Contact page and send us your suggestions. We would love to hear your thoughts!

What’s the difference between soy wax and paraffin wax?

Let’s get something straight – Paraffin wax is a waste by-product of fossil fuels. It is one of the most popular kinds of wax used in candle making because it is cost effective and very efficient at releasing fragrance due to its molecular structure. It contains carcinogenic toxins that are dispersed into the air when burned, just like most other fuel products.

Soy wax is a natural plant based wax derived from pure soy beans. Soy wax burns clean, clear, with no toxic fumes emitted during burning. Burning soy wax candles will not discolour your walls or drapes the way paraffin can. Soy wax is also biodegradable, meaning it cleans easily and is safe to be returned back to the environment.

How should I store my candle?

Soy wax is sensitive to both temperature and light, so try to always store your candle in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

How long will my candle burn for?

Burn times are approximate and will vary depending on a number of factors such as the climate the candle is set in and burned in and whether there are any draughts during the burn. Head on over to our Candle Care page to ensure you are burning your candle as efficiently as possible to maximise its burn time.

How do I trim the wick?

Very easily! You can trim the wick with either a pair of small scissors, a wick trimmer or your fingers. Just break off or cut off the burnt wood to reveal the fresh wood underneath. Make sure the wax is cool before you trim the wick and remove any excess wick residue from the wax prior to relighting.

What’s the best way to light my wooden wick candle?

We recommend lighting your candle on a flat and even surface with a barbecue lighter or matches (where safe to use). Make sure your candle is upright when you light it because lighting your candle while it is tilted can result in melted wax smothering the wick and can cause burn issues.

Wooden wicks are very simple to light. We recommend holding the flame to the wick for at least 10 seconds when you first light your candle. We don’t use any accelerants on our wicks so it may take a couple of attempts in the beginning. But hang in there, it will light! The wick will be quicker and easier to get going with every subsequent burn. 

How do I burn my candle safely?

Important question! Always monitor the amount of remaining wax in your candle container. Once the wax gets low (ie below 2cm), discontinue use. Never leave a burning candle unattended. Extinguish your candle with care ensuring that hot wax does not splash and do not use the lid to extinguish. Keep your candle away from anything that could catch fire, always burn it on heat resistant even surfaces and never leave your candle unattended. A burning candle should not be used as a nightlight or left burning when you fall asleep. Do not burn the candle if the container is cracked, chipped, scratched or damaged in any way. Please refer to our safety sticker on the bottom of each candle for further information.

The surface of my candle has some imperfections, is it faulty?

Relaxxx! As we don’t use artificial additives or other waxes, our soy candles may release a small amount of excess oil during high temperature changes. This will not affect the quality or performance of the candle in any way and will usually disappear after the first burn. You can leave it or wipe it off with a tissue or paper towel prior to lighting.

Sometimes you may notice darker patches commonly known as ‘wet spots’ on the inside of your glass jar. This is not a fault of the candle. It is a extremely common characteristic of natural soy wax and the most common cause is fluctuating temperatures (between production, shipping and delivery). This does not affect the quality or performance of the candle in any way.

Are your candles vegan friendly?

Yes! Whilst we are not vegan certified, none of the ingredients used in our candles are animal derived.

Why is my candle smoking?

While smoking is rare during burning, it can happen for two reasons. The candle may be in a draught or the wick is too long. If it’s the latter, extinguish the flame, let the candle cool down and trim the wick back to 5mm and remove any excess wick from the jar.

My candle is finished. What do I do now?

  1. Buy another of course!
  2. Wash out the container with soap and hot water and remove the wick tab. Be mindful not to scrub the glass or Tinny too hard because it may affect the finish. The labels should peel off relatively easy but if not just soak them in warm water. They will peel off fairly easily after a good soaking!
  3. Visit our Three R‘s page to get some creative ideas on re-purposing your container!

How do you calculate shipping?

We charge a flat rate of $10.95 for all Australian orders. We do not receive any portion of the shipping amounts. We offer free shipping on all orders over $150. Great excuse to buy in bulk, you’re saving money!

Do you ship internationally?

Absolutely! Please head over to our Contact page and send us the shipping destination and number of candles. Then we’ll find you a fast quote so you can get one of our unique candles into your hands as fast as humanly possible!

Is wholesale an option?

Yep! We are keen to get Bush Blend into more Aussie homes and businesses so if you think Bush Blend would be a good fit for your business, we would love to hear from you! If you would like more information, please visit the Contact section of our website. Note: There is a minimum order requirement for all wholesale orders.

Do you do custom orders for weddings or events?

Yep sure do! We do custom candle orders for events such as weddings, Christmas gifts for staff or suppliers, corporate functions and parties. If you’d like to feature Bush Blend Candle Co. at your event or special day, please fill out an online form here. We would love to be part of your day!

Can I cancel my order?

An order can only be cancelled up to the point it is poured. We pride ourselves in dispatching orders promptly, so if you would like to cancel your order, please head over to our Contact page and reach out to us immediately.

How do I make my soy candle last longer?

Visit our Candle Care page for some key tips on how to get the most out of your Bush Blend candle.