LightYourPath

Using release spray for any stage of production would leave a residue on the candle. This residue would then vaporize along with the beeswax and be inhaled by any person or animal in the proximity of the burning candle. To avoid inhalation of chemical substances, release spray is not used by LYP on such products.

The wax used in these candles comes from local, small-scale beekeepers. Only wax cappings are used. Wax cappings are placed on the comb by the bees as the season ends to keep the honey in place, thus they are the freshest type of beeswax and smell the most like honey.

This is for two main reasons. the first is to clarify that no fragrances, dyes, or other additives have been used for these candles. While often desirable, such things are not needed in these candles to achieve the desired characteristics. The second reason is some suppliers and makers employ the practice of cutting beeswax with other waxes. This might be done for such reasons as to save on costs (quality beeswax is expensive), to make the wax more malleable (beeswax is brittle at room temperature), to achieve certain color results (it is easier to dye a lighter colored wax), or to enhance burn characteristics (such as scent throw or soot likelihood). Anytime LYP uses a material in a product, it will be clearly stated.

LYP uses commercial, square-braid, cotton wicks.

Beeswax has minuscule particulates which other waxes don't have. this means a square-braid wick is preferable to optimize the flow of wax up the wick. Cotton is traditionally used due to such things as its absorption and resilience. These properties provide a larger, stronger, cleaner flame. Cotton is the best square-braid wick material LYP could find from reliable sources.

LYP only uses reputable, reliable sources for purchased materials. As such, we source our wicks from suppliers who have full transparency and specialize in candle-making supplies. Unfortunately, as far as we can find, all such wicks have been treated in some fashion to slow the burning process (called mordanting). Mordanting is a distinguishing feature between what is considered cotton twine versus cotton wicks. So, as in all wicks that we are aware of, some chemical exposure is possible.

No, LYP never uses wicks with harmful cores of any kind whether it be lead, zinc, tin, or the like.

LYP has been unable to find a reputable supplier who offers any wicks made from certified organic material. Furthermore, to meet common expectations for "organic," the wicks need to not only be made of organic material but also need to remain untreated by chemicals not up to organic standards. Many wicks claiming to be made of organic material (which we've found none that could verify that claim) fail to specify if they were thereafter treated with any chemicals in the mordanting process. (See "What is meant by 'commercial' wicks?" for more on mordanting.) If anyone knows of a reliable source for certified organic, non-chemically treated, square-braid, (preferably cotton) wicks, then please let us know!!

There is no such thing as a truly soot-free candle. Soot is a result of incomplete combustion, which is inevitable even under the best conditions. However, certain measures can be taken to reduce soot. Cotton wicks without metallic cores burn well with little tendency to soot if properly sized to the candle. Also, beeswax has a relatively high melt point, which lends to clean burning. To further reduce soot, keep the wick trimmed to 1/4 inch and avoid disturbances which cause the flame to flicker (such as motion and drafts).