Differences Between Small Batch And Mass Produced Candles
As a family-based company consisting of skilled artisans we sometimes get asked about the difference in our prices with some of the large mass-produced "big box store" items and while it is true that "you get what you pay for" we feel that we owe it to our customers to go more in-depth and explain some of the differences and why at the end of the day we are a better a "deal" than the sometimes cheaper alternatives. We discussed our "artistic ADHD" in a previous article, but another reason we work with a wide range of materials is that we take pride in the quality and have a keen eye for details. As a result, most giant companies place more emphasis on their bottom line, which leads to them using cheap substandard materials, foreign labor practices, and multi-million-dollar machines that simply duplicate the same item. While we believe consistency is key, we also believe in continuously improving our products and processes.
Scientific studies have confirmed the strong neurological link between scents and cherished memories, and we offer our customers beautiful, hand-poured candles made with a variety of waxes that maximize their unique characteristics after being blended with botanical extracts to provide a natural, renewable medium for their favorite scents! We make a point of differentiating ourselves by offering a variety of scents, each of which is designed to invoke strong, happy emotions. We choose scents based on things you can identify with and not just vague scent notes and abstract concepts. Aromas should make our homes feel warm and contribute to hygge, as the Danish describe a cozy, convivial environment. Even though everyone has their own memories and tastes, we strive for excellence through a variety of practices, including meticulous testing of every component of our candles (wick, wax, container, and even the packaging), as well as conducting testing with volunteers.
We have conducted extensive research and testing regarding the different strengths and weaknesses of different waxes (please see our article on which wax type to choose) we primarily use soy, beeswax, gel wax, and coconut-apricot blend waxes and avoid paraffin as it is often but not always a very substandard wax. In spite of the fact that paraffin wax is a by-product of petroleum processing and can be refined to the point of being ultra-pure it most often is not refined enough to be a clean-burning candle, which explains why there is often some residue and soot left behind after burning it and has been known to give some headaches however it is unclear whether that is from the low-quality paraffin or sub-standard fragrances and color. Paraffin wax is a waste product of petroleum refining and retains petrol carbons, which are released into the air when you burn the paraffin candle. Furthermore, most mass-produced candles use harmful additives to produce the strong scent throw we have come to expect from the big-name candle makers. They also heavily dye their candles, which inhibits the ability of the wicks to burn, so lead or zinc core wicks are most commonly used to generate enough heat to burn all the additives. Unfortunately, all those additives and pollutants are being introduced to the air you breathe. With our candles, we use better quality waxes and wax colorants to achieve superior results without the need for potentially toxic additives.
A few decades ago, candle manufacturers were braiding cheap cotton wick around lead wires to achieve firm, unbending candlewicks. The United States Environmental Protection Agency Research and Development found that lead-core candles released a greater quantity of lead than allowed by the EPA in an article titled, Candles and Incense as Potential Sources of Indoor Air Pollution: Market Analysis and Literature Review. Lead-core candles were banned in the US in 2003, but it is believed that they are still imported from countries such as Japan and China where there are no strict regulations governing candle making. Lead-core candles are highly dangerous and reduce air quality as mental retardation, depression, lethargy, hormonal imbalance, complications during pregnancy, lower brain activity in young children, and so on can result from long-term exposure. It is best to purchase locally made hand-poured candles made with cotton or wood wick, they are sustainable and great for the environment.
Most mass-produced candles are manufactured using paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum and harmful chemicals like phthalates (used to extend the scent of fragrance oils), which release carcinogenic compounds like benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, acrolein, etc. into the air when burned. This toxic emission can cause serious health problems, including mutagenic effects for those that inhale it. It can worsen respiratory complications like asthma, dyspnea, respiratory infections, and lung cancer. Hormonal imbalance resulting in reproductive difficulties can also occur from prolonged exposure to these chemicals. What’s worse is constantly burning these paraffin wax candles would stain your precious walls and ceiling with black sooty residue. Now the question is, why do these big brands use these harmful materials? Well, it’s simple. Paraffin wax holds the lower amount of fragrance for longer, is readily available, and is a much cheaper alternative to beeswax, soy, or vegetable-based wax usually used in small batches of hand-poured candles. Burning hand-poured candles help to purify the air around your home.
While Soy candles usually cost more than paraffin candles, they typically last 50% longer than store-bought candles as the soybean-based wax in soy candles allows them to burn slower and at a cooler temperature. Soy wax is also biodegradable, unlike petrol-based paraffin, making it an investment that benefits both yourself and the environment. For this reason, Soy Candles easily justify the higher price tag. Additionally, our beeswax candles burn even longer and are specifically designed to be hypoallergenic. Further, since both Soy and Beeswax candles burn at a slower rate than paraffin candles, the scent is gradually released, so there won't be an immediate surge of strong scent. People can benefit from a more pleasant atmosphere and avoid headaches caused by paraffin candles.
Because hand-poured candles are made in small batches, maximum quality control is exercised by the candlemaker to promote consistency and excellence. The problem with mass-produced store-bought candles is that they are made cheaply using very large manufacturing machines with little human supervision, and the humans are only trained to operate the machines, not make candles. This leads to low-quality standards and poor control of the final product. Therefore, problems like candlewick misplacement, short-lived or inconsistent scent (this can happen when fragrance oils are added at the wrong temperature, unevenly distributed, or don't bind perfectly to the wax), and soot emission are quite common in popular mass-produced candle brands. With handmade candles, there is no compromise on quality, because they are crafted by skilled artisans with all-natural and quality ingredients, and the production process is closely monitored from beginning to end.
A supplementary reason for our candles being priced slightly higher is because of the uniqueness of them whether it be of the wax or the container or even the packaging, every aspect of our items are created with passion and meticulous attention to detail resulting in the best possible product.