Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few frequently asked questions about our company and our products. Hopefully this will be useful to some of you!


Q: Does Yankee Candle Company use lead wicks? A: There has been a good deal of recent coverage in the media regarding possible health issues relating to candles containing lead wicks, some of which has unfortunately been confusing or misleading. In order to eliminate any concern or confusion on the part of our guests and consumers in general, THE YANKEE CANDLE COMPANY WOULD LIKE TO ASSURE YOU THAT YANKEE CANDLE DOES NOT USE LEAD WICKS IN ANY OF OUR CANDLE PRODUCTS. Moreover, the National Candle Association, of which Yankee Candle is a long-standing member, strongly supports the Consumer Products Safety Commission's recent work toward banning the use of leaded wicks. All of our products are today manufactured with pure cotton wicks that are free from lead and completely safe. At Yankee Candle we care deeply about the health and well-being of our guests and customers. After all, many of them are our own families, friends and loved ones. We are therefore firmly committed to producing high quality candle products that can be enjoyed and enjoyed safely. This has been our mission for over 30 years and we will continue to strive to offer the very best candles available.

Q: How can I keep my candles looking their best? A: Candles will discolor or fade when they are exposed to intense light for extended periods. We do not recommend displaying your candles for long periods in direct sunlight, fluorescent lighting or other strong illumination. Wax will soften in temperatures over 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This may cause taper candles to bend or negatively affect the quality of your candles. Store your candles in a cool, dry place.

Q: Why do candle wicks sometimes become mushroom shaped? A: When the candle is consuming wax more quickly than the flame can burn completely, carbon deposits may develop. This will most likely occur when the wick needs to be trimmed. Blow out the flame, trim off the wick and carbon deposit and relight. Do not allow the wick trimmings or other materials to fall into the wax pool.

Q: Do you have a candle that "eats" smoke or cooking odors? A: All of our fragranced candles will cover smoke or cooking odors. There is no magic ingredient that will make one candle more effective than others, though one of our stronger fragrances may work more quickly to cover the odor.

Q: How do I use Tarts® Wax Potpourri? A: Tarts® Wax Potpourri offer you exceptional home fragrancing without the mess of traditional simmering potpourri. Place Tarts® Wax Potpourri in the top of a dry potpourri burner and never add water. Light one of the unscented Tarts® Warmers (never use scented tea lights) for a controlled low flame made especially for potpourri burners. When melted, the wax potpourri will release its wonderful fragrance. You can also mix different fragrances together to create your own unique blend of aromas.

Q: How do you make your candles smell so authentic? A: That's our secret! We actually have a committee dedicated to researching fragrances. Once the committee recommends a candle, a separate group of individuals from throughout our company test it for authenticity of fragrance and quality of burn.

Q: Which is your most fragrant candle? A: Our jar candles contain the highest percentage of fragrance oil. More fragrance is emitted from our 22 ounce jar because the pool of melted wax it produces is larger.

Q: Why are some fragrances discontinued? A: Consumer tastes change over time. As a result certain fragrances may decline in popularity to the point that it is no longer feasible to continue making them.

Q: What is the difference between Yankee candles and another brand? A: The Yankee Candle Company has been devoted to the art of crafting candles for thirty years. We use only the highest quality materials: pure cotton wicks, glassware, and premium-grade, highly-refined paraffin waxes specially blended for optimum burning and fragrancing performance. We also offer the most fragrances you will find. Yankee Candle Company stands behind the quality of our product with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. And, we're made in the U.S.A.!