Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of wax do you use and why is it clean burning?

All candles are proudly poured with all natural soy wax. The wax is a vegetable wax derived from soybeans, which is primarily grown and harvested in the US. While paraffin wax is derived from crude oil, a byproduct of petroleum, it is a non renewable resource. In comparison, the soy wax is largely more accessible, environmentally friendly, and a renewable resource. Soy wax is also slower burning, which means your HOTSTUFF candle will burn longer than any paraffin wax candle out there. All candles inevitably emit some soot from burning, but soy wax emits considerably less than paraffin wax. To avoid excess soot entering the air, you can also keep the wick trimmed short, doing so before your light it. You can compare the inside of candle containers using other waxes, where they typically have black residue on the insides. You won’t have that with HOTSTUFF candles, so neither will your lungs or your environment. Plus, it is a wonderful vehicle for fragrance so it does not require any chemical additives to hold and release fragrance when melted.

What fragrances do you use?

Our candles use fragrance oils rather than essential oils. While essential oils are essence of the plant they are derived from and therefore 100% natural, they are not as potent as essential oils. You would need very high amounts of an essential oil in your candle to have as strong a scent in comparison to a candle that utilizes fragrance oils. So essential oils are prime for aromatherapy, but not candles.
Fragrance oils utilize a combination of natural and synthetic compounds to release a certain scent. They use many, many compounds to create specific scents which are totally unique from an essential oil scent, because they are a custom blend that cannot be recreated by an essential oil. And because they are specifically manufactured for candle burning, they do not give off an unexpected scent when lit. But are they safe? Yes. The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) oversees the safety in these oils and regulates what goes into them, so they are safe for people and the environment. Some are safer than others, because some add unnecessary addons such as phthalates and parabens. HOTSTUFF’s candles guarantee use of phthalate and paraben-free fragrance oils because your safety is the priority.

Is your packaging compostable?

Yes! Everything from the tape to the boxes and tissue paper is eco friendly. You can recycle or compost all packaging without the hassle of removing plastic tape.

How can I donate more than just $1.00?

So you would like to donate more than just the standard dollar per candle? That’s awesome! There is a donate button in the main menu as well as at the bottom of each page. Click either button. They will take you to a donation page where you can select the exact amount you wish to contribute.

How do you decide what thrifted pieces to use for candles?

When I am looking for different vessels at secondhand shops, I have a few things I consider. Most importantly, is it fire safe. Glass and ceramic are always fire safe. And on occasion I choose a wooden bowl that is open enough to not have close contact with the flame, therefore it is not a fire hazard. As far as the shape, a piece of glassware or ceramic vessel where the opening is much more closed than the body is not ideal. I look for forms where it isn’t a struggle to light the candle even at a lower level. I like to consider different sizes and what setting those would be best in. I also think about the different type of person who would be drawn to a certain piece It’s fun imagining the kind of person whose home would suite different pieces and where they would place the candle to accommodate their lifestyle or routine.