PRODUCTS
What are your candles made with?
Our candles are made with soy wax which is non-toxic, renewable, biodegradable, and sustainable. For the wick, we use a mix of cotton-braided wicks and FSC Certified wood wicks, which are all eco-friendly and clean-burning. For scent, we only use clean scents that have gone through a rigorous testing process to ensure the exclusion of cancer-causing ingredients and that are 100% phthalate-free!
Why soy wax?
1. It's non-toxic. Soy wax is derived from soybeans, which is a renewable and biodegradable resource. Soy wax is a natural and non-toxic substance, unlike paraffin wax which is derived from petroleum, a non-renewable resource, and may contain harmful chemicals such as benzene and toluene.
2. Soy wax burns cleaner meaning less soot and smoke when burned, which makes them safer for indoor use. The cleaner burn of soy wax also means that it doesn't release as many harmful chemicals into the air compared to paraffin wax candles.
3. Soy wax has a lower melting point than paraffin wax, which means it burns cooler and slower. This makes soy wax candles less likely to cause burns or start a fire if knocked over.
4. Soy is a renewable resource, unlike paraffin wax which is derived from petroleum, a finite resource. Soybeans can be easily and sustainably grown and harvested, making soy wax a more environmentally friendly option.
5. Soy wax is biodegradable, meaning it will break down over time and not accumulate in landfills. This makes it a more sustainable choice compared to paraffin wax candles which do not break down and can contribute to environmental pollution.
What’s wrong with candles sold in big retailers?
Most candles you see at bigger retailers are paraffin wax or soy blended with paraffin. Paraffin is undesired for a number of reasons. The biggest is that it releases toxic emissions into the air, such as benzene and tulene. These chemicals an contribute to indoor air pollution and have been linked to health problems like respiratory irritation, allergies, and even cancer.
The other 2 big reasons why it's more frowned upon in the industry is paraffin is non-renewable and unsustainable. Petroleum is the raw material used to make paraffin wax. The extraction and processing of petroleum can have negative environmental impacts, including air and water pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change.
I’ve always gotten headaches with candles. Why will yours be different?
Most likely, YES you'll have a much different experience with our candles!
For years, people have had headaches while burning candles. They become convinced that they're allergic or just too sensitive to smell. However more than likely your headache is actually being caused by 2 main things - either the paraffin wax or the use of harmful fragrances. Both release chemicals into the air when burned. These chemicals can irritate the nasal passages, sinuses, and lungs, leading to headaches, nausea, dizziness, and other symptoms.
What makes your candles different?
I make all the candles (and all other products we offer) in my home studio in San Diego, California. Every step of the candle making process is done by hand - from cleaning jars to placing the wicks to blending scents to packaging and labeling them! They also made in small batches, which ensures consistency from one candle to the next and that each and every candle is at the upmost level of quality! Every order I receive makes me jump for joy and cry happy tears to know that something I made by hand is in your home and bringing you joy!
I burn my candles all day long. Is that bad?
YES, please don't do that! First and foremost, burning your candle longer than 4 hours is a fire hazzard. The longer you burn, the bigger the wick gets. The bigger the wick gets, the hotter the flame. The hotter the flame, the quicker the wax will melt. All of these things can cause the candle to overheat. Burning it longer also causes increased amounts of soot and smoke.
The other big issue with burning a candle longer than 4 hours is that it greatly shortens the lifespan of your candle. As we talked about above, the longer you burn the candle the bigger the wick gets and the hotter the flame. With it burning hotter, it's using more wax which means that your candle will never reach the full lifespan you see on our product pages.
How do I know how to properly care for my products?
Visit this page to learn about the dos and don'ts of caring for your products!
My candle is burning weird. What do I do?
It's more than likely you didn't let the candle burn to the edge the first time. Did you know that candles have memory? The first burn of a candle is the most important. Always let that first burn melt pool go all the way the edges before putting out the flame. Failing to do so could cause tunneling where there's excess wax leftover on the sides of the jar, which wastes a lot of the candle. If you experience this, try putting the candle on a candle warmer to melt the wax down.
Can I reuse the vessels?
Please do! To free the wax, place the vessel in the freezer for a few hours. Take a knife or spoon to gently break apart the wax. Once the wax is removed, use a cloth to wipe out any remaining residue. From there you can either put it in the sink and clean like normal, or you can put a little rubbing alcohol on a cloth and give the jar an extra wipe! Just avoid putting wax down the sink (small tiny bits won't hurt).
SHIPPING & RETURNS
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes! All orders over $100 receive free shipping. Otherwise we offer a $8 flat rate shipping.
How long will it take for my order to ship?
Because our products are handmade, we ask for 7-10 business days to process your order. Sometimes it’s quicker than that. Once it ships, you’ll receive an email with tracking info!
I don’t love the scent. Can I exchange it?
Absolutely! We’ll happily accept unused products with proof of purchase within 30 days of your order date. Return shipping is covered by the customer. Simply let us know what scent you’d like to exchange it with. Otherwise we’ll issue a refund (minus shipping) to the original payment.
My product arrived damaged. What do I do?
Please send an email and a photo to us of the damaged item. Once we have a chance to review it, we’ll have you return the item to us and we’ll ship you a replacement.
What should I do if it says the carrier lost my package?
Ugh that is the worst! I’m so sorry if you’re experiencing this. Unfortunately once the package has left our hands, we no longer have control over it. The best way to handle this is to contact the carrier. They’ll begin their investigation on the package. If it ends up being that it’s loose, you’ll start a claim with the carrier. And then we’ll issue you a replacement.
OTHER
Can I request specific scent samples with my order?
Absolutely! Put it in the notes of your order. If I have that sample available, I’ll be sure to include it!
Do you offer wholesale?
We’d love to see The Homemade Collective in your store! Please contact us for more information!
Do you offer gift cards?
Do you do custom orders?
Yes! Contact us what you'd like, and we'll create the order for you!
SOMETHING ELSE?
Please email us at thehomemadecollective@gmail.com