BONFIRE | Firewood & Forest | HÆFEN Soy Wax Scented Candle

• Wax type: Plant‑grown natural soy wax

• Burn time: Approximately 50+ hours ℮

• Wax weight: 200g ℮

• Fragrance Options: 26+ botanical & natural Parkminster fragrance blends

• Container: Linear ribbed glassware, hand‑finished for unique light play

• Candle Dimensions: Diameter 75mm x Height 95mm

• Pouring method: Hand‑poured in the Parkminster Fragrance Workshop

• Suitable rooms: Medium‑sized and large rooms

• Packaging: Eco‑aware, plastic‑free packaging

• Refill option: Compatible HÆFEN candle refills are available for reuse of the same ribbed glassware

To ensure your HÆFEN candle burns safely and delivers the best fragrance performance:

• Always burn the candle in its linear ribbed glass container; never use it outside of the vessel.

• Light the candle for at least one hour on the first burn, allowing the wax to melt fully to the edges of the glass. This prevents tunnelling and promotes even fragrance release.

• Trim the wick to 5–7 mm (¼–½ inch) before every burn to maintain a steady flame and minimise soot.

• Keep the wax pool free from wick trimmings, matches, and debris.

• If the flame smokes, flickers, or becomes uneven, extinguish the candle, allow the wax to cool, trim the wick, and relight – never trim a burning candle.

• Place the candle on a stable, heat-resistant surface, away from draughts, children, and pets.

• SAFETY FIRST. NEVER leave a flame unattended and make sure it is kept out of drafts.

• Avoid burning to the very bottom of the container; leaving a small layer of wax helps maintain a clean flame and protects the glassware.

• Because soy wax burns cooler than paraffin, HÆFEN candles produce minimal smoke and residue, making them safer for regular indoor use.

Extra tip: HÆFEN candles are designed for medium and large rooms, so consider room size to achieve optimal fragrance dispersion. Regularly following these simple steps will ensure a long-lasting, safe, and aromatic experience.

When it comes to candles, the type of wax and fragrance used can have a significant impact on both the environmental footprint and the indoor air quality of your home. Soy wax, like that used at Parkminster, is derived from plant-grown soybeans, a renewable and biodegradable resource. The process of producing soy wax relies primarily on natural inputs such as sunlight and seed, and the by-products, like the remaining bean meal, are commonly used for animal feed. Soy wax has a relatively low melting point, which allows it to burn cooler and slower than some other waxes, producing minimal soot and a cleaner indoor environment.

Paraffin wax, by contrast, is a by-product of crude oil refining. It is non-renewable, derived from fossil fuels, and its production is tied to the wider environmental impacts of the petroleum industry. Candles made from paraffin often burn hotter and faster than soy, and can release higher levels of soot and volatile compounds into the air. While paraffin candles are widely used in mass-market production due to their lower cost, it’s worth asking your favourite candle brand why they choose to use this wax and what trade-offs it presents in terms of sustainability and indoor air quality.

Fragrance is another key element in candle making, and there is an important distinction between essential oils and fragrance oils. Essential oils are extracted directly from plants—flowers, herbs, spices, resins, or fruit—and are naturally occurring chemical compounds. They retain many of the subtle characteristics of the plant itself and provide a cleaner, more natural scent when burned. Fragrance oils, in contrast, are often synthetic or blended with chemical compounds to mimic natural aromas or create entirely new scents. While fragrance oils are widely used across the candle industry, they can sometimes produce more soot and may lack the depth and subtlety of essential oils.

At Parkminster, we prioritise the use of soy wax and essential oils in our candles. Our blends are designed so that essential oils make up the larger portion of our range, ensuring that we stay as close to nature as possible while still offering a reasonable variety of fragrances that the market dictates. These descisions allow the natural characteristics of the soy wax to shine through, supports a cooler, cleaner burn, and contribute to a more environmentally conscious home fragrance experience.

For consumers curious about the choices made by candle makers, it can be enlightening to ask brands directly why they choose paraffin wax or synthetic fragrance oils. Understanding the materials and processes behind a candle not only informs your purchasing decisions but also helps highlight the environmental and health considerations of different waxes and scent blends. By being informed, you can select candles that align with your priorities—whether that’s sustainability, natural fragrance, or simply enjoying a clean, relaxing burn in your home.