If you cannot find an answer to your question please reach out to us at: info@hamiltoncandlery.com

Can you explain the number system?

We have a growing number of scents, and individuals have different takes on what our products smell like. Instead of suggesting funky fragrance names (think: Mystic Nights), we let the fragrance notes speak for themselves, and give them numbers instead. Although fragrance ingredients are proprietary, the predominate Top, Middle and Base Notes are included, as well as the inspiration behind the scent. All of our scents are grouped by fragrance categories in what we call collections (i.e. Fruity, Floral, Earthy). Have you found your signature fragrance? You can now enjoy it across our multiple product lines. Cool, right?

What is Cold-Process Soap?

Simply put: water, oils (think, olive, coconut, jojoba), and Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) have a meet and greet called saponification. They say goodbye 4-6 weeks later to their former selves, morphing into a mild, skin-loving bar of soap. No more water, no more oils, no more lye. It's a caterpillar/butterfly sort of thing. Legend has it this method of saponified soap was first discovered by the Greeks around 620 B.C. 

How do I extend the life of my soap? Keep it away from shower drips (we all have them); Place it in a draining soap dish to avoid pooling; Cut it in half (be careful). Use half now, half later; If displayed, occasionally shave the outer surface to revive the scent.

Are there different benefits to the oils and butters?

Absolutely! What type of oils and butters used affects the outcome of the soap. The fun is in the recipe. Properties like moisturizing, conditioning, or that squeaky-clean feeling are the result of a well-crafted formula. For example, Olive Oil is super gentle and makes creamy lather. Fun fact: Castile Soap is made with at least 70% Olive Oil and takes up to a year to cure! Coconut Oil contributes to bubbles and gets the crud off. Rice Bran Oil is rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants and has a moisturizing consistency similar to Olive Oil. Shea Butter and luxury oils like Jojoba and Hemp-Seed are moisturizing rock-stars and made a softer bar of soap.

Aren't all bars of soap pretty much the same?

Oh, contraté! Most soaps you buy in the grocery story are detergent bars. They've been stripped of glycerin, which promotes the retention of moisture, and are loaded with salts and paraffins (petroleum) which can clog pores. When reading soap labels, be on the look out for harsh surfactants like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate. They're quite common. Educate yourself. You'll never find them listed on our labels. We use simple ingredients to make true soap your skin will love.

What do you mean by Cold and Hot Throw?

These are terms to describe the strength of fragrance when the candle is/is not burning. When you pick up a candle in the store and sniff, you're noticing the cold throw. Hot throws are directly linked to the size of the room the candle is in. In other words, the same burning candle will smell stronger in your guest bathroom than it will in your great room.

Why are Soy and Coconut-Apricot blends so popular?

Soy wax and Coconut-Apricot wax blends come from sustainable, renewable sources, and are cleaner burning, and eco-friendly, unlike paraffin wax which is derived from petroleum. Coconut-Apricot blends have a much better scent throw than Soy, and are famous for their signature creamy white appearance. They also burn longer giving you a better bang for your buck. Sweet! 

Why is my candle sometimes bumpy after burning?

This has to do with the wax's rate of cooling being inconsistent within the vessel. It's nothing you are doing wrong. Sometimes the wax will settle smooth as glass, other times it will be bumpy and rough. It will not affect the candle's performance. On the plus side, it is a tell-tale sign you've purchased a premium, non-toxic natural soy wax candle, as opposed to a paraffin one.

What's the best way to burn my candle?

Always follow the warning label on the bottom of your candle's vessel. Candle wax has a memory so-to-speak, and the melted wax pool from the initial burn can often dictate how well it will perform going forward. We recommend burning your new candle until the melted wax reaches the vessel's edge. For a 3 inch candle that's approximately 2-3 hours. A general guide is one hour per diameter inch. This should help tunneling, or a wax wall left around the perimeter of the candle. It's also a good idea to trim your wick between burns so the flame doesn't get too high. A good rule of thumb is 1/4".

Why are there more candles than soaps?

Artisan-made soap is an odd-bird. Not all fragrances do well after the curing process, and the strength fades. Scented Soaps need to be scented, right? And unless you're a Foodie, do you really want your bar of soap to smell like Lemon Pound Cake or a Pumpkin Latte? As we continue our testing, more and more collections will include our wonderful soaps. It's another good reason to sign up for our emails. We'll keep you posted.