FIELD NOTES · FOLKLORE · CANDLECRAFT
Notes from the waterline.
Stories, places and practical notes from around the Minch — from old folklore and remote lighthouses to the quieter details of candles and the way we use them.
THE JOURNAL
A little further
beyond the candle.
The names in our collection come from somewhere. Behind them are stretches of water, headlands, northern skies, seafarers and stories passed down through generations.
The Journal is where we explore those stories properly — alongside useful notes on fragrance, wax, candle care and the small rituals that make a room feel like your own.
START HERE
Stories of the Minch.
ALL NOTES
From the Journal.
The latest stories, guides and field notes from The Minch Candle Co.
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Soy Wax vs Paraffin Wax Candles: What’s the Difference?
Soy or paraffin? The answer is less clear-cut than candle marketing sometimes suggests. Here’s what genuinely differs between the two waxes — and what matters more than the wax alone.
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Can Candles Get Mouldy? Everything You Need to Know
Candles rarely develop mould, but damp storage and surface contamination can make it possible. More often, what looks like mould on a soy candle is harmless wax frosting.
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How is Soy Wax Produced?
Soy wax begins life as soybean oil, not as a solid wax. Here is how soybeans are processed, refined and hydrogenated to create wax suitable for candle making.
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Where to Place Scented Candles In Your Home
Where you place a scented candle affects both the atmosphere and how safely it burns. Here’s how to choose the best position in each room of your home.
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Do Candles Expire? How to Tell When a Candle Is Past Its Best
Candles do not expire like food, but they can change with age. Fragrance can fade, wax can discolour and poor storage can affect performance. Here’s what to look for.
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Why You Shouldn’t Put Out Candles with the Lid
The safest way to extinguish a candle is usually with a snuffer or a gentle blow. Here’s when a candle lid can be used, why water should be avoided, and how to put out a candle safely.
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Is Paraffin Wax Biodegradable?
Paraffin wax can be broken down by microorganisms, so calling it completely non-biodegradable is inaccurate. But that does not mean it disappears quickly in normal environmental conditions.