Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

We believe you should know what goes into the products you bring into your home. Below are answers to some of the most common questions about our hand-poured soy candles, ingredients, candle care, and shipping.

About Our Candles

What are South Street Co. candles made from?

Our candles are hand-poured in small batches using 100% natural soy wax, carefully selected fragrance oils, and 100% cotton wicks. We thoughtfully select our ingredients and fragrance materials with an emphasis on quality and transparency.

Are your candles soy candles?

Yes. Our candles are made with 100% natural soy wax. Soy wax provides a beautiful, creamy appearance and a slow, even burn when properly cared for.

Are your candles non-toxic?

We prefer to focus on what is actually in our candles rather than making broad claims about what is or isn't "toxic."

Our fragrance oils are selected without phthalates, carcinogens, CMRs (carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reproductive toxins), and ingredients listed under California Proposition 65. We also use 100% natural soy wax and cotton wicks.

Our goal is simple: to create beautifully scented candles made with ingredients we feel good about bringing into our own homes.

Are your candles phthalate-free?

Yes. Our fragrance oils are selected to be free from intentionally added phthalates. We also avoid fragrance ingredients classified as carcinogens, CMRs, and ingredients listed under California Proposition 65.

Do your candles contain paraffin?

No. Our candles are made with 100% natural soy wax and do not contain paraffin wax.

What kind of wicks do you use?

We use 100% cotton wicks that are dipped in soy, rather than paraffin. They are selected and tested specifically for each candle vessel and fragrance combination. Proper wick selection helps create a consistent, even burn.

Are your candles handmade?

Yes. Every South Street Co. candle is hand-poured in small batches. Each candle is carefully poured, finished, inspected, and prepared by hand before it makes its way to you.

Candle Care

How do I get the best burn from my soy candle?

For the first burn, allow the melt pool to reach close to the edges of the vessel (between 2-4 hours.) This helps establish an even burn pattern and can help prevent tunneling.

For future burns, trim the wick to approximately 1/4 inch before lighting and avoid burning your candle for more than 4 hours at a time.

Why does my soy candle have a textured or imperfect top?

A little imperfection is completely normal with natural soy wax. Changes in temperature, cooling speed, and the natural characteristics of soy wax can create frosting, slight texture, or variations on the surface.

These cosmetic variations do not affect the fragrance or performance of your candle.

How long should I burn my candle?

We recommend burning your candle for a minimum of 2 hours and no more than 4 hours at a time. Allow the wax to cool completely before relighting.

Never leave a burning candle unattended.

How do I prevent my candle from tunneling?

The most important step is allowing the first burn to create a full melt pool across the surface of the candle. Burning for too short a period can cause the wax to tunnel down the center rather than melting evenly across the vessel.

Keeping your wick trimmed before each burn can also help maintain a consistent flame.

How should I trim my candle wick?

Before each burn, allow the candle to cool completely and trim the wick to approximately 1/4 inch. Removing excess wick helps maintain a more controlled flame and reduces soot and mushrooming.

Fragrance

How would you describe your candle fragrances?

Our fragrances are designed to feel sophisticated, layered, and at home in your space. Rather than simply creating "strong" scents, we focus on balanced fragrance profiles with distinct top, middle, and base notes.

Each candle includes a detailed fragrance profile to help you choose a scent you'll love.

How strong are your candles?

Fragrance strength can vary depending on the scent, the size of your space, and personal preference. Our candles are formulated to provide a noticeable fragrance while maintaining a balanced, elevated experience.

Why can't I smell my candle as much as I expected?

Fragrance perception can be affected by room size, airflow, temperature, and even individual sensitivity to scent. A candle may smell stronger in a smaller room and more subtle in a large, open space.

For the best fragrance experience, try burning your candle in an appropriately sized room away from strong drafts.

Do you use essential oils?

Our candles use carefully selected fragrance oils formulated specifically for candle making. Some fragrance profiles may contain naturally derived aromatic materials, but our candles are not marketed as essential-oil-only candles. If we create a candle scented solely with essential oils, it will be clearly labeled.

Ingredients & Standards

What does "clean" mean when you say clean candles?

For us, "clean" is not a blanket claim. It reflects our approach to thoughtfully selecting the materials that go into our candles.

We use 100% natural soy wax, cotton wicks, and fragrance oils selected without phthalates, carcinogens, CMRs, or California Proposition 65-listed ingredients.

We believe transparency about ingredients is more meaningful than simply putting the word "clean" on a label.

Are your candles safe around children and pets?

Candles are an open flame and should always be treated with care. Never leave a burning candle unattended or within reach of children or pets.

We recommend following all candle safety instructions on the product label and keeping burning candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from anything flammable.

Are your candles made in the USA?

Yes. South Street Co. candles are hand-poured in small batches in Georgia.

Our Products

What sizes of candles do you offer?

Our Signature Collection features 10 oz candles, while our Petite Collection features smaller 4 oz candles that are ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms, desks, travel, or smaller spaces.

Availability may vary by collection and seasonal release.

What is the difference between your 10 oz and 4 oz candles?

Our 10 oz Signature Candles are designed to provide a longer-lasting fragrance experience and are ideal for larger living spaces.

Our 4 oz Petite Candles offer the same carefully selected fragrances in a smaller format, making them perfect for smaller rooms, desks, bathrooms, gifts, or trying a new scent.

Do you offer candles without a wick?

Yes. Our Flameless Collection is designed specifically for use with candle warmers. These wickless candles provide a flameless way to enjoy your favorite South Street Co. fragrances.

Orders & Shipping

Where do you ship?

We currently ship throughout the United States. Shipping options and rates are calculated at checkout.

How long does it take to receive my order?

Orders are typically processed within the timeframe listed at checkout. Because our candles are hand-poured in small batches, processing times may vary slightly during launches, seasonal releases, or particularly busy periods.

What happens if my candle arrives damaged?

We package each order carefully, but occasionally accidents can happen during shipping. If your candle arrives damaged, please contact us as soon as possible with photos of the damaged product and packaging so we can help make it right.

Do you accept returns?

Because candles and other personal-use products can be difficult to resell once they have been shipped, our return policy may vary by product. Please review our current return policy before placing your order.

If you have an issue with your order, we're always happy to help.

About South Street Co.

Where are South Street Co. candles made?

South Street Co. is a small, husband-and-wife-owned candle company based in Georgia. Every candle is hand-poured in small batches with an emphasis on thoughtful ingredients, quality craftsmanship, and beautiful fragrance.

What makes South Street Co. different?

We believe a candle should be more than something that smells good.

We're intentional about what goes into every candle, from our 100% natural soy wax and cotton wicks to the fragrance materials we choose. We pair those ingredient standards with sophisticated fragrance profiles and simple, elevated design to create candles that feel as good in your home as they look.

How can I contact South Street Co.?

If you have a question that isn't answered here, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us through our website and we'll be happy to help.