Choosing a scented candle seems simple until you're standing in front of a shelf of thirty options with no idea where to start. Fragrance, wax type, wick material, burn time — there's more to it than the label suggests.
After years of making candles by hand in Montreal, we've learned what actually matters. Here's what to look for.
Wax type — it makes a bigger difference than you think
Most mass-produced candles are made with paraffin wax, a petroleum byproduct that burns faster and releases more soot. Soy wax, on the other hand, is plant-based, burns slower and cooler, and produces significantly less smoke. It also holds fragrance better — which means the scent is more consistent from the first burn to the last.
All Baltic Club candles are made with 100% soy wax, poured by hand in small batches in our atelier.
Fragrance — what's actually in there
This is where it gets important. Many candles use synthetic fragrances that contain phthalates — chemical compounds that can disrupt hormones and irritate the respiratory system. Look for candles that explicitly state they're phthalate-free.
At Baltic Club, all our fragrances are phthalate-free. We choose each scent carefully — not just for how it smells, but for what it brings to a room.
Wick material — the small detail that changes everything
Cotton wicks burn cleaner than zinc or lead-core wicks, produce less soot, and self-trim more consistently. They're the standard for quality candles. If a candle doesn't mention its wick material, that's worth noting.
Our candles use 100% cotton wicks.
Burn time — what's realistic
A standard 8 oz soy candle should give you somewhere between 40 and 55 hours of burn time if used correctly. Baltic Club candles burn for 45 to 50 hours — more than enough to last through a full season of evenings.
A note on burn time: the first burn matters. Always let the wax melt all the way to the edges of the container before extinguishing — this prevents tunneling and ensures you get the full life of the candle.
How to choose a fragrance for your space
This comes down to the room and the mood you want to create.
Living room and common spaces: go for warm, grounding scents — woody, amber, or spiced notes. Our Golden Sandalwood and Cypress & Fig work beautifully here.
Home office and workspace: lighter, fresher scents help with focus without being distracting. Think herbal, green, or citrus. Our Eucalyptus and Northern Breeze are good starting points.
Bedroom: soft, calming scents — floral, musky, or lightly sweet. Amber & Jasmine is a quiet favourite.
Bathroom: clean and airy. Fresh marines or eucalyptus notes work well in smaller spaces.
How many candles do you actually need?
One candle per room is a reasonable starting point — but the key is rotation. Burning the same candle in the same space every day leads to olfactory fatigue, where you stop noticing the scent entirely. Switching between two or three fragrances keeps things fresh.
One last thing — container and size
Bigger isn't always better. A large candle in a small room can be overwhelming. For a bedroom or bathroom, an 8 oz candle is usually enough. For an open living area, consider a larger format or multiple candles in different corners.
A good candle also lives on your shelf between burns — so the design matters too. Choose something you actually want to look at.
