​7 Candle Making Myths That Somehow Keep Spreading

Candles are deceptively complex. Many think they have candles all figured out, but few do. And to top it all, there are lingering rumors and factoids that won’t go. We want to debunk some of the most tenacious candle misconceptions. So, take a look below to update your candle knowledge, courtesy of the Soap Cafe’ team!
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Myth 1. You Can Use Any Jar or Container for Candles

Many beginner candle makers assume they can use any glass jar, thrifted mug, or decorative container for making candles. While this might seem like a creative and cost-effective idea, it poses significant safety risks.
Why is it a myth: Not all glass or ceramic containers are heat-resistant. Many are not designed to withstand prolonged exposure to high temperatures, which can cause them to crack, shatter, or even explode.
The risk: If a container breaks while burning, hot wax can spill out, creating a fire hazard.
Best practice: Only use containers specifically designed for candle making, such as heat-resistant glass or metal tins tested for safety.
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Myth 2. Essential Oils are better than fragrance oils.

Many assume they can use essential oils instead of fragrance oils to scent their candles, believing it’s a more natural and safer option.
Why is this a myth: Essential oils are volatile and often evaporate at high temperatures, meaning they don’t always produce a strong scent-throw in candles.
The risk: Some essential oils can become unstable when heated, leading to poor burning performance or potential toxicity when burned.
Best practice: Use high-quality fragrance oils specifically formulated for candle making. If you want to use essential oils, research their flash points (the temperature at which they start to degrade) and test them thoroughly before selling or gifting candles.
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Myth 3. Double Wicking Always Solves Tunneling Issues

Tunneling occurs when a candle burns straight down the center, leaving wax along the sides. Some assume that adding a second wick will automatically fix this issue.
Why is this a myth: While double-wicking can help larger candles burn more evenly, adding an extra wick isn’t always the right solution.
The risk: If the wicks are too large or too close together, they can create excessive heat, causing the candle to burn too fast or making the glass overheat and crack.
Best practice: Properly test wick sizes and placement based on the container’s diameter and wax type. Sometimes, adjusting the wick size or type (rather than adding another wick) is the correct solution.
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Myth 4. More Fragrance Oil Equals a Stronger Scent Throw

It’s a common belief that adding more fragrance oil will make a candle smell stronger.
Why it’s a myth: Each type of wax has a maximum fragrance load ie the most fragrance oil it can hold before performance is affected. If you exceed this limit, the excess oil won’t properly bind to the wax.
The risk: Overloading fragrance oil can lead to poor wax adhesion. A candle that won’t burn properly (because the excess oil can clog the wick), therefore it can become a fire hazard if the oil pools on top of the wax.
Best practice: Follow the recommended fragrance load for your specific wax type. Typically, soy wax holds around 8-10% fragrance, while paraffin can hold up to 12%. Always test to find the right balance for scent strength and burn quality.
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Myth 5. Soy Wax Always Has a Great Hot Throw

Soy wax is often marketed as a natural alternative to paraffin wax, but many assume it always provides a strong scent when burning.
Why it’s a myth: Soy wax has a different molecular structure than paraffin and does not release fragrance as easily. It often requires specific conditions to achieve a strong hot throw (the scent when burning).
The risk: If candle makers expect soy wax to perform like paraffin without proper testing, they may end up with weakly scented candles that disappoint customers.
Best practice: Improve soy wax performance by choosing fragrance oils formulated for soy. Let the candles cure for at least 1-2 weeks to allow the fragrance to bind with the wax. Using the right wick and testing different temperatures for adding fragrance oil
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Myth 6. All Wicks Work the Same in Every Wax

Some candle makers assume they can use the same wick type and size in any wax or container.
Why it’s a myth: Different waxes (soy, paraffin, coconut, beeswax, etc.) have different melting points and burning behaviors.
The risk: Using the wrong wick can lead to:
-Excessive soot
-Uneven burning or tunneling
-A wick that is too weak to create a full melt pool or too strong, causing the candle to burn too hot
Best practice: Test different wick types and sizes for each wax type. Use wick guides from wax manufacturers as a starting point, but always conduct burn tests to ensure proper performance.
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Myth 7. Adding Crayons or Other Non-Candle Dyes Is Safe

Some believe melting crayons or using food coloring is a good way to color candles. This is not recommended if you are doing candle-making professionally.
Why it’s a myth:  Candle Dyes are liquid-based and designed to fully blend with wax whereas Crayons are made from pigments which are solid color particles. Food Coloring is typically water based which will not adhere to the wax.
The risks: Using crayons can clog the wick, leading to weak or uneven burning. This causes the candle to burn improperly or produce excess soot resulting in inconsistent color distribution
Best practice: Use candle-safe dyes specifically formulated to blend smoothly with wax. Liquid dyes, dye chips, or powder dyes made for candle making will ensure even coloring and proper burning.
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Our Final Thoughts

These myths persist because they seem logical or are spread by inexperienced candle makers. However, following tested methods and using materials specifically designed for candle-making ensures both safety and quality. If you are serious about candle making, always use safe, heat-resistant containers. Choose the right fragrance oils and wicks. Follow proper wax and fragrance load guidelines. Test thoroughly before selling or gifting candles.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you will create candles that burn beautifully, smell amazing, and are safe to use!

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