Candle Care & FAQ
At Present Your Joy, every detail matters — from how our candles are crafted to how they burn in your home. Below you'll find everything you need to know to get the most from your candles and our workshops.
🕯 Candle Care
How long will my candle burn?
Our premium soy candles are crafted to burn cleanly and evenly. As a guide:
- Travel tin candles — up to 12 hours
- Large candles — up to 45 hours
Burn times may vary depending on your environment, wick care, and burn habits.
First burn matters — the memory burn
Always allow your candle to reach a full melt pool on the first burn (the wax melting edge to edge). This prevents tunnelling and ensures an even burn throughout the candle's life. Allow at least 2 to 4 hours for this first burn.
Trimming your wick
Before every burn, trim your wick to approximately 5mm (¼ inch). This keeps the flame clean and steady, prevents excessive soot, and extends your candle's life. We recommend a wick trimmer for the best results.
Avoiding drafts
Always burn your candle on a level, heat-resistant surface, away from drafts, open windows, fans, and air conditioning. Drafts cause uneven burning and may cause your wick to produce excess smoke.
Safety guidelines
- Never leave a burning candle unattended
- Keep out of reach of children and pets
- Do not burn for more than 4 hours at a time
- Stop burning when 10mm of wax remains
- Always place on a protective, heat-resistant surface
Reed Diffuser Care
Setting up your diffuser
Place the bottle upright on a stable surface with a protective coaster underneath, then carefully remove the stopper and insert the reeds. Follow any instructions on your diffuser's label and allow the reeds time to absorb the fragrance.
Getting the right fragrance strength
Use fewer reeds for a gentler scent or add more for a stronger fragrance. If the scent fades, carefully turn the reeds over, following the product's instructions. Turn them over a protected surface, avoid drips, and wash your hands afterwards.
Where should I place my diffuser?
Choose a spot with gentle air circulation, away from direct sunlight, radiators, and other heat sources. Heat and strong draughts can make the liquid evaporate more quickly. Keep the bottle away from edges where it could be knocked over.
Protecting surfaces and staying safe
- Keep the bottle and reeds out of reach of children and pets.
- Do not swallow the liquid or allow it to touch your skin or eyes. Follow the label's safety and first-aid instructions.
- Keep away from flames and sources of ignition. Never light the reeds.
- Avoid contact with furniture, painted, polished, or plastic surfaces, and fabrics. Wipe up spills immediately according to the product label and the surface manufacturer's care instructions.
- Keep the bottle upright and do not place it directly on an unprotected surface.
Refreshing your diffuser
When refilling a refillable diffuser, follow the product's instructions and use fresh reeds for the best fragrance performance. How long your diffuser lasts will depend on its size, the number of reeds, room temperature, and airflow.
🌿 Soy Wax vs Paraffin and Why It Matters
Is soy wax safer than paraffin?
Yes! and here's why it matters. Our candles are made from 100% natural soy wax, derived from soybeans. Paraffin wax, by contrast, is a petroleum by-product.
| Feature | Soy Wax | Paraffin Wax |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Natural (soybeans) | Petroleum by-product |
| Burn | Cleaner, less soot | Can produce black soot |
| Burn time | Longer lasting | Burns faster |
| Scent throw | Gradual, well-rounded | Intense but shorter-lived |
| Eco credentials | Renewable & biodegradable | Non-renewable |
Choosing soy means a cleaner burn for your home, a longer-lasting fragrance experience, and a more considered choice for the planet.
🚚 UK Delivery
How long will delivery take?
All orders are carefully packaged and dispatched from our London studio. Delivery timeframes:
- Standard delivery 3–5 working days
How is my order packaged?
Every order is thoughtfully packaged to arrive safely and beautifully, perfect whether it's a gift or a treat for yourself.
✨ Candle Making Workshops
What's included in a workshop?
Our candle making workshops are a premium, hands on experience. Each session includes:
- All materials - soy wax, fragrance oils, wicks, and a vessel to take home
- Expert guidance from our experienced candle makers
- The chance to blend your own bespoke fragrance
- A finished candle to take home on the day
- Light refreshments
- A complimentary Present Your Joy candle care card
Where are workshops held?
Our workshops are hosted at various venues across London. The full address and location details are shared upon booking confirmation.
How long does a workshop last?
Sessions run for approximately 2–2.5 hours, depending on group size, giving you plenty of time to create, explore fragrances, and enjoy the experience without feeling rushed.
Can I attend as a group or for a private event?
Absolutely. We welcome hen parties, corporate team events, birthday celebrations, and private bookings. Get in touch via our Contact page to discuss your group's needs.
What should I wear?
We work with wax and fragrance oils, so we recommend wearing clothes you're comfortable in - though we do provide aprons!
Still have a question?
We'd love to hear from you. Reach out via our Contact page and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.