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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Bath & Body/Soap General

How do I get started making soap?

A—There are a variety of ways that can catapult you into the world of soap making. As a beginner, we recommend learning the basics of Melt n' Pour Soap Making before moving onto more difficult techniques. A great way to learn about Melt n' Pour Soap is to view our “How to Make Melt n' Pour Soap” video online. It is a short video that teaches you the basics of soap making. We also sell Melt n' Pour Soap Kits. The kits come with instructions and the ingredients you need to learn the process of soap making. We also offer a wide variety of books and videos that illustrate soap making instructions for beginning through advanced soap makers.

Can I use soy wax in cosmetic products?

A—Yes, a few of our soy waxes can be used in cosmetic products. Nature Soy Wax C-3, Nature Soy Wax C-1, EcoSoya CB135 wax, EcoSoya Pure Soy wax, and EcoSoya Advanced Soy wax are soft enough for cosmetic use and work well in various cosmetic products.

Can I use soy wax in my cold-process soap?

A—Yes, all of our EcoSoya Soy Waxes are great for use in cold-process soap making.

Can I use food coloring for my soaps/bath and body products?

A—Food coloring is not the best option for soaps and other bath & body items. Over time, the soap may fade or develop dots of color, and it is not FDA approved for this type of usage. Instead, we recommend using Cosmetic Grade Liquid Colorants, Micas, Ultramarines, Oxides, or Clays. All of these colorants work wonderfully in bath products to give you radiant, lasting color.

How much herbs should you add to melt n' pour soap base?

A—We recommend using 1 Tablespoon of herbs per pound of melt n' pour soap base.

What is a standard size bar of soap?

A—A “standard” size bar takes three to five ounces of soap.

How much essential oil should you add to your carrier oils?

A—As a general rule, the ratio of essential oil to carrier/base oil for adults should fall between 2%-3%. This is approximately 40-60 drops of essential oil to a 4 oz bottle of carrier oil, 20-30 drops to a 2 oz bottle, and 6-9 drops for a ½ oz bottle.

 

Candle General

How do I get started making candles?

A—There are numerous candlemaking techniques that can be learned. When first starting out, we recommend learning the basics of container candle making before moving onto more difficult techniques. Learning basic container candle techniques allows you to focus on the procedure of candle making while improving your skills. We have a wonderful short online video that teaches you the basics of candle making, while giving you some helpful hints. From container candles to pillar candles, we also sell a wide variety of Candle Making Kits. These kits come with instructions and the ingredients you need to learn the process of candle making. Be sure to look into the assortment of books we offer that demonstrate candlemaking instructions for beginning through advanced candle makers.

How much wax do I need to make the number of candles I want to make?
A—In order to determine how much wax you need to make a certain number of candles, it is important to know the following:

1 pound of Paraffin wax by weight will equal approximately 20oz of liquid melted wax.

1 pound of Soy wax by weight will equal approximately 18oz of liquid when melted.

1 pound of Beeswax by weight will equal approximately 16oz of liquid when melted.

To determine how much wax a specific container or mold will hold, weigh the container/mold (write down that weight). Remove the container/mold from the scale and add water to the container/mold (when using a mold, be sure to securely plug the wick hole when doing this procedure). Place it back on the scale with the water in it (write down this weight). Now, subtract the first weight from the second weight. This number will tell you approximately how much wax you will need for that specific container/mold. Next, to determine how much wax you will need to make the number of candles you want to make, use the following example: You are using a container that holds 6oz. You would like to make 15 container candles using soy wax. Take the number of ounces your container holds and multiply it by the number of candles you want to make 6 x 15 = 90. This is the number of liquid ounces you will need (90oz). Now, divide that number of ounces by 18 (which is 1 pound of soy wax in liquid form) 90 / 18 = 5. This is the number of pounds of soy wax you will need to make 15 of your 6oz container candles.

Tip — always figure a little high for your final measurement (it's easier to have some left over than to try and match the same color)

How do you calculate the burn rate of a candle?

A—In order to calculate the approximate burn rate of a candle use the following procedure:

First, find out the weight of your wax. For a freestanding candle, simply put the candle on a scale and that is how many ounces the candle weighs. For a container candle, weigh the finished candle. Then, subtract the weight of the empty container from the weight of the finished candle. This is how many ounces the candle weighs. (For example, the finished container candle weighs 16.5oz. The empty container weighs 6.5oz. 16.5 - 6.5 = 10. The weight of the wax is 10oz.) Next, burn the candle an hour for every inch of the diameter. Be sure to use the diameter of the widest part of the candle. (For example, if the diameter is 3.5 inches, burn the candle for 3 ½ hours straight to get the most accurate assessment). Write down your beginning time and ending time. Using this burn method, a properly created candle will burn a full melt pool to the edges. If the melt pool reaches the edge sooner, then the wick might be too large for the candle. If a full melt pool is not formed, then the wick is probably too small. At the end of your first test burn, weigh your candle again (for a container candle, be sure to subtract the weight of the empty container from this new weight). Write down the weight of the wax after your test burn and the total minutes burned. Let the candle re-harden and then begin the procedure again. Once the candle has been burned three or four times this way, you'll have a good idea of its burn time. Note— The burn time won't be accurate until you have burned several of the same candles all the way through. To get an estimated burn time from your 3-4 test burns, total your minutes burned. Now, subtract the ending weight from the beginning weight (this is the total ounces of wax that were lost from the beginning of the first burn to the end of the last burn). Divide the total minutes by the total ounces burned. For example, if you burned the candle a total of 720 minutes and you lost 0.5 ounces of weight in the candle, the candle burned 1 ounce every 1440 minutes (720 / 0.5 = 1440). Next, take your answer and multiply it by the total weight of your wax from the beginning. 1440 x 10 = 14,400 The total minutes of burn time for this example candle would be 14,400 minutes. Divide 14,400 by 60 to get 240 hours of estimated burn time. Be sure to be accurate, keep good notes, and most importantly observe.

How do you make the perfect candle?

A—Unfortunately, there is no such thing as the “perfect candle.” Candle making is an art. It takes time to test and refine candle making skills in order to achieve a beautiful candle that burns how you want it to, and, even then, no two candles will ever be identical. Given that you adequately research the products and the candle making steps, thoroughly test the items, and apply your own quality control procedures, you will be able to create and enjoy gorgeous, safe hand-made candles. If you do run into some problems, be sure to reference our Troubleshooting Chart for assistance.

Can I use food coloring for my candles?

A—Food coloring will not work in candle making. Food colorings are water-based colors that will not mix with the wax. Instead, we recommend using Liquid Candle Dyes or Candle Color Dye Blocks. These colorants are oil-based and work great with many different waxes to create beautiful, long-lasting colors.

Can I use crayons to color my candles?

A—Crayons are not recommended for use in candle making. It is true that crayons are mostly dyed paraffin wax, but the other particles that make up a crayon could clog a wick, cause sputtering, or other numerous problems. When using a crayon to color a candle, you will not achieve the optimum burn. We recommend using Liquid Candle Dyes or Candle Color Dye Blocks. These colorants have been specially created for the function of coloring candles, and they are ideal for creating a wide range of shades and colors.

What is the ideal burn pool depth of the wax as a candle is burning?

A—For container candles, the ideal burn pool depth to achieve is ¼” to ½” within about 4-5 hours.

Can I use a Plastic Tealite Cup in my tart warmer?

A—Plastic Tealite Cups are made so that you can see the beautiful colored wax through the plastic. They are not to be used inside any enclosed holders such as tart warmers, tealite lamps, or tealite houses. The heat could build up and melt the plastic cup.

How long should you let a candle cure before burning it?

A—Candles should always be left to cure undisturbed at room temperature (about 70°F) for at least 24 hours before being lit. Candles should remain open during cooling. Larger candles may require longer times.

How long should you let a candle cure before shipping it?

A—Candles should always be left to cure undisturbed at room temperature (about 70°F) for about 4-7 days before shipping.

Can large candles such as a 12” x 12” be made?

A—Yes, an enormous candle such as that can be made. Pour the candle as you would normally. Due to the large size of the candle, you may have to do more than two pours. To find a wick, practice with some smaller candles first (this will save you time, money, and energy in the long run). Once you find a wick that gives you the burn, flame size, and quality you are looking for, measure the diameter of the burn pool for that wick. When you design the wick pattern of the large candle, overlap the burn pool diameters a tad to get an even burn. Be sure to leave about a half-inch wall on the candle as it burns down.

 

Fragrance/Esscential Oils

How much fragrance should you add to wax?

A—We recommend using 1 ½ ounces (also known as 3 Tablespoons) of fragrance oil per pound of wax. We have found this to be a great ratio of fragrance to wax. You can go up or down from there depending on the fragrance load that your wax can hold. To find discover, for example, what a 6% fragrance load of 2 pounds would be, look at our Measurements Chart .

How much fragrance should you add to melt n' pour soap base?

A—We recommend using 1 ½ teaspoons of fragrance oil per pound of melt n' pour soap base. We have found this to be a great ratio of fragrance to soap base. You can go up or down from there depending on the fragrance load that your soap base can hold. To discover, for example, what a 6% fragrance load of 2 pounds would be, look at our Measurements Chart .

How much essential oil should you add to wax?

A—We recommend using essential oils by the drop. The recommended amount is no more that ½ ounce (also known as 1 Tablespoon) per pound of wax.

How much essential oil should you add to melt n' pour soap base?

A—We recommend using essential oils by the drop. The recommended amount is no more than 1 teaspoon per pound of melt n' pour soap base.

Are your fragrance oils diluted or “cut”?

A—No, our fragrance oils are 100% concentrated fragrance oils. They are not diluted or “cut” in any way.

Are you fragrance oils strong?

A—All of our fragrance oils are extremely concentrated. They have been tested, and we have found them to meet our high quality standards for fragrance oils. The word “strong” is an arbitrary term. Scents are subjective to each individual. Everyone's scent palate smells differently. For example, the Cinnamon Fragrance Oil to one person could give them a migraine, while another person cannot smell it at all.

Which is better E/O or F/O?

A—Essential Oils and Fragrance Oils are not necessarily better than each other. It all depends on personal preference. Some people prefer essential oils because they are derived from natural elements and can be used for certain remedial applications, whereas others prefer fragrance oils because they are synthetic and offer a wider array scents.

Why are some of my bottles of fragrance oils and essential oils fuller than others?

A—Our fragrance oils and essential oils are sold by weight, not volume. Therefore, some bottles will appear fuller than others.

 

General

Can I come to your location and look at your products?

A—We do not have a retail storefront to browse the products. All of our products can be found on our website with full product information and the majority have pictures displayed. We do, however, have fragrance sniffies in our pick-up room, so that, customers picking up their orders can smell our fragrance oils and essential oils, note the scents they enjoy, and use those notes for future orders.

How did Nu-Scents Wholesale begin?

A-- In 1999, Nu-Scents Candle was founded in the basement of the owner's home. The goal of the owner and her daughter was to manufacture candles for resale at area craft and trade shows. In 2000, the business relocated to a retail store in downtown Richmond, IL. The shop contained a retail showroom and an area for manufacturing.

It became apparent to the owner that many customers wanted to learn how to make their own candles. The company began ordering larger amounts of materials and started teaching classes to those who wanted to learn how to make candles. The success of classes and the increased interest in candle making supplies created a need for more space. A warehouse was leased where the company expanded into the candle supply industry. In 2003, the business moved to a new location in McHenry, IL. This location offered an adequate warehouse and office in addition to sufficient retail space. Along with this move came the creation of a new line of soy based candles named “Soy-Scents.” With the success of their business, Nu-Scents decided to venture online; thus, the website: www.nuscentscandle.com was created. The internet company served to market the new line of candles and offered supplies to candle makers. Eventually, Nu-Scents put their soy candle line on hold and became a major distributor of soy wax and other related candle making supplies. The business simultaneously branched out to offer a wide selection of bath, body, and soap making supplies. The company is currently focusing its energy on the internet business and is growing steadily. A recent move to a much larger facility has given Nu-Scents the ability to increase and widen their product lines. Nu-Scents' variety of candle, soap, bath, and body supplies allows hobbyists and businesses to purchase all of their products in one great location.

Where is your warehouse located and how do you get there?

A—Our warehouse is located at 1717 Oak Drive in McHenry, Illinois. Driving directions to our warehouse can be found below:

From Chicago, IL (approximately 57 miles)

•  Take I-90W

•  Take I-290 (IL-53, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg)

•  Take IL-53 N (Rolling Meadows)

•  Take Lake Cook Rd West

•  Bear right onto US-12 (N Rand Rd)

•  Turn left onto IL-120 (Belvidere Rd)

•  Continue on IL-120

•  Bear right onto Oak Dr (in front of Jewel/Osco store)

•  Continue on Oak Dr to 4-way stop sign intersection

•  Proceed straight on Oak Dr to second building on left

•  Turn left into parking lot (1717 Oak Dr)

•  Nu-Scents is the first door of the building

From Rockford, IL (approximately 52 miles)

•  Take US-20 E

•  Turn left onto IL-23 (S State St)

•  Turn right onto IL-176 (Telegraph St)

•  Continue on IL-176

•  Turn left onto IL-176

•  Turn left onto IL-31 (N IL-Rte 31)

•  Continue on IL-31

•  Turn left onto IL-120 (W Elm St) at stop light intersection

•  Turn right onto Oak Dr (in front of Jewel/Osco store)

•  Continue on Oak Dr to 4-way stop sing intersection

•  Proceed straight on Oak Dr to second building on left

•  Turn left into parking lot (1717 Oak Dr)

•  Nu-Scents is the first door of the building

From Milwaukee, WI (approximately 76 miles)

•  Take I-94 W (US-41 N)

•  Takes Exit 305A (I-894, US-45, Chicago)

•  Continue onto US-45 S

•  Turn onto I-43 S (Rock Freeway)

•  Take Exit 27A (US-12 E, Lake Geneva)

•  Continue onto US-12 E (street becomes IL-31 at intersection in Richmond, IL)

•  Continue onto IL-120 (W Elm St)

•  Turn right onto Oak Dr (in front of Jewel/Osco store)

•  Continue on Oak Dr to 4-way stop sign intersection

•  Proceed straight on Oak Dr to second building on left

•  Turn left into parking lot (1717 Oak Dr)

•  Nu-Scents is the first door of the building

Will I get charged sales tax?

A—All Illinois residents having their orders shipped and all customers picking up their orders at our warehouse will be charged sales tax. In order to receive tax-free shopping, customers can mail, fax, or drop off a copy of their Illinois Certificate of Registration that displays the tax-exempt ID number and expiration date.

Do I have to have a Tax ID# to order?

A—No, a Tax ID number is not required to order from Nu-Scents Wholesale. Please note that all Illinois residents and all customers picking up their orders at our warehouse will be charged sales tax for their purchases. In order to receive tax free shopping, customers can mail, fax, or drop off a copy of their Illinois Certificate of Registration that displays the tax exempt ID number and expiration date.

Does Nu-Scents manufacture candles or bath and body items for sale?

A—Nu-Scents Wholesale is a supplier of candle, bath, body, and soap making supplies. We are not a manufacturer of finished products.

Why was my credit card charged a different amount than my Shopping Cart?

A—The amount shown in the Shopping Cart at check out is an estimated charge of the products, shipping, and handling fees. Occasionally, there are price increases that go into effect before the shopping cart is updated. Another possible reason is that the shipping charges shown do not necessarily represent the UPS and USPS published rates. Actual rates charged by UPS and USPS may vary.

 

Online

Do I have to create an account to order?

A—No, you do not need an account to order. Creating an account, however, does assist you in placing future orders. By making an account, your contact information will be retained for the future to aid you swiftly through the check out process.

Is it safe to order online?

A—Yes, it is safe to order online. Your information in never sold, rented, or shared with anyone else. Our website is a secure shopping environment that protects all of your important information.

I have a Tax ID# on file with you, why am I getting charged sales tax online?

A— When ordering online, all Illinois customers are quoted sales tax during check out. If you have a valid tax ID number on file with us, you will not be charged sales tax when your order is invoiced.

 

Shipping

When will I receive my order?

A— When trying to determine how long it will take to receive your shipment and which shipping method to choose, please take all of the following into consideration:

•  The number of business days Nu-Scents will take to pack and ship your order. Orders placed by 12:00pm (CST) are usually shipped the same or next order processing business day. During the busy season (September through January), we may experience some seasonal delays in processing.

•  The number of business days UPS and USPS will take to deliver to your area of the country. See the map below to determine the number of days UPS Ground will take to ship to your area. USPS Priority Mail takes about 1-5 business days (See the United States Postal Service's website for an estimated shipping time to your area).

•  Remember that the actual day that your order is shipped DOES NOT count as a day in transit for UPS or USPS.

•  It is important to note that even when you select express shipping methods (such as UPS Next Day or USPS Express Mail), this simply reduces the amount of time UPS and USPS take to deliver the package to you. The time it takes Nu-Scents to process your order DOES NOT CHANGE.

•  For UPS, Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays are NOT business days.

•  For USPS, Sundays and Holidays are NOT business days.

 

 

Note— Multiple box shipments will sometimes arrive a day or two apart.

Why does shipping cost so much when my order was so small?
A— Shipping charges are determined by the weight of the package(s) and the destination zip code when it is manifested in our shipping system, along with a handling fee. UPS and USPS charge a minimum of a full pound for any package, even if the package weighs less than a pound. The first pound will cost the most. The heavier the package, the more cost effective your shipment becomes. For example, if we ship a package UPS to the 37245 zip code, the shipping costs increase as follows ( note— these amounts are for demonstration purposes only; actual charges may have increased since this publication):

2oz—$6.41   8oz—$6.41   1#—$6.41   2#—$6.94   

3#—$7.19   4#—$7.49   5#—$7.75   10#—$8.44   

20#—$10.22   30#—$13.22   40#—$16.20   50#—$18.79

Can I track my packages?

A—Yes, all packages are given a tracking number. Depending on your shipping method, UPS or USPS will send you a shipping confirmation via email with a tracking number so that you can track your orders. The tracking number can easily be utilized on the UPS website or the USPS website.

Do you ship COD?

A—No.

 

Wax

What's the best wax?

A—All of our waxes are great for creating high quality candles. To determine which wax best suits your purpose, here are a couple things to consider:

•  What type of candle are you making? You will need a wax that is formulated for one of the specifications below:

•  Container—the candle will be poured into some form of container (ie. glass jar or metal tin)

•  Pillar—the candle will be strong and free-standing

•  Votive—the candle will be a short pillar that is approximately 1 ½ inches in diameter and 2-3 inches tall

•  What type of wax would you like to use?

•  Paraffin—a wax that is a byproduct of petroleum

•  Soy—a natural wax that is created from the soybean

•  Beeswax—a natural wax that is created by bees

•  Gel—a wax that is a type of mineral oil that is a byproduct of petroleum

Also, you can use our Wax Selector Flow Chart to help you find the ideal wax.

What's the difference between one-pour and two-pour waxes?

A—Under optimal circumstances a one-pour wax is a wax that only needs to be poured one time for a great finished look. These waxes were invented for incredibly minimal shrinkage. A two-pour or multi-pour wax is a wax that expands when melted and contracts when cooled. This alteration causes the wax to sink and requires a second pour to create a smooth finish.

What is the difference between paraffin and soy wax?

A—Paraffin waxes are a byproduct of petroleum, whereas soy waxes are natural waxes that are created from the soybean. Paraffin wax has been around for decades, while soy waxes were just created within the last few years. Soy waxes are softer waxes that burn cleaner, are environmentally friendly, and are virtually soot-free. Paraffin waxes are generally more rigid; they allow for vast creative flexibility and have various innovative uses.

 

Wicking

How do I find the right wick?

A—Wicking is the most difficult part of candle making. It is the most pertinent component of a candle and it must meld entirely with the other elements (for example, wax, fragrance, etcetera) in order to create an ideal burn. Finding the right wick takes patience and a lot of testing. Each recipe for a candle might need a different wick, even if you're using the same jar and wax. You might find a wick that works great in your 4 oz jar with chocolate fragrance and brown colored soy wax, but that wick might not work properly when you replace the chocolate fragrance with the graham cracker fragrance. In order to find a wick that works best for your purpose, you need to know if you are using a paraffin wax or a natural wax. You also need to know the diameter of the widest part of the mold or container you are using. Once you know this essential information, you can then use our Wick Chart to determine which wick matches the wax you are using and the diameter of your candle. The Wick Chart is for recommendation purposes. Always test your wicks to see if they will give you the safe burn that you are looking for.

How do you double wick a candle?

A—In order to double wick a candle, first measure the diameter of the widest part of your container or mold. Then, take that measurement and divide it by 2. Next, use that number as your new diameter—look at our Wick Chart to find a wick that meets that diameter's size. (For example, you have a container that is 8 inches in diameter. 8 / 2 = 4 Look at the Wick Chart to find a wick that would work well in a 4 inch diameter container. Then, use 2 of those wicks to double wick your container candle.)

Is there lead in your wicks?

A—No, all of our wicks are lead free. Using the element lead in wicks was officially banned in the United States in 2003. If you are looking for a wick with a metal center we offer zinc cored wicking.

What is a burn rate of a wick?

A—When looking at our Wick Chart , the burn rate is the number of grams of wax that is consumed per hour by the wick. The higher the burn rate number, the hotter the flame will be.

What do the three sets of number on the cotton core and zinc core pre-tabbed wicks mean?

A—The first number is the thickness of the wick. The bigger this number, the thicker the wick. The second number is coded for the speed of which the string (all wicks start out with very thin string) goes through the wicking machine gears. The faster it goes through the machine, the tighter the wick is wicked, which should slow the wick from burning too fast. The last number is a code for the temperature of the wax as the string (wick) goes through the various gears. This temperature varies according to the previous numbers.

What is mushrooming?

A—Mushrooming is when carbon and/or other substances build up on the end of the wick interfering with combustion. Mushrooming can cause sooting and give off odors.

What is tunneling?

A—Tunneling occurs when the wick is too small or when the candle is burned for short periods of time. The candle will burn down the middle and leave a wax shell around the outside. Container candles will leave wax attached to the sides of the glass and pillar candles could collapse inward.

What happens if you choose a wick that is too large for the candle?

A—In container candles, if a wick is too large, it will burn quicker and produce deeper burn pools. It may also cause sooting and short burn times. In pillar candles, guttering may also occur (wax leaking through the side of the candle).

How short should I keep the wick trimmed?

A—We recommend keeping wicks trimmed to ¼ inch.