The Essential Guide to Candle Care

by | Apr 9, 2024

The Essential Guide to Candle Care:  Keeping Your Flame Burning Bright

Introduction:

Candles add warmth and ambiance to our homes, creating a cosy atmosphere that soothes the senses.  However, to ensure a safe and long-lasting experience, it’s important to follow proper candle care instructions.  In this blog post, I will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to maintain your candles, from before lighting to after extinguishing, ensuring that each burn is clean, safe, and enjoyable.

Before/During Burning:

  1. Trim the Wick: Before each burn, trim the wick to approximately 5mm.  This simple step promotes a clean and smoke-free burn while preventing high flames and ‘mushrooming’ of the wick. By keeping the wick at an appropriate length, you’ll optimize the candle’s performance.
  2. Remove Debris: Ensure the wax is free from any debris or foreign objects before lighting your candle.  Clean away any wick trimmings or dust to maintain a pristine burning experience.
  3. Mind the Environment: Always light your candle away from drafts, open windows, and anything that could easily catch fire.  By doing so, you’ll prevent accidental fires and ensure a steady flame.
  4. Avoid Sunlight: To preserve the fragrance and maintain the optimal behaviour of the wax, avoid placing your candle in direct sunlight.  Excessive exposure to sunlight can cause the fragrance to dissipate and affect the candle’s overall performance.
  5. Choose the Right Surface: Place your candle on a level, heatproof surface to ensure stability and prevent accidental tipping or damage to your furniture.  A sturdy base enhances both safety and aesthetics.
  6. Steady as She Glows: Once your candle is lit, avoid moving it.  Shifting a lit candle can be hazardous and increase the risk of spills or accidents.  So, find the perfect spot for your candle before igniting its warm glow.
  7. Keep Awa from Children and Pets: Ensure that your burning candle is out of reach of children and pets.  Their curiosity may lead to accidents, making it crucial to prioritise everyone’s safety.
  8. Embrace the Full Burn: Allow your candle to burn for 3-4 hours during each session.  This practice ensures that the wax melts evenly to the edges, preventing tunnelling and maximizing the candle’s lifespan.  Embrace the full burn to experience a consistent and long-lasting flame.
  9. Time for a Break: Avoid burning your candle for more than 4 hours at a time.  Prolonged burning can cause the container to become excessively hot and potentially shatter.  Prioritise safety by giving your candle a break when needed.
  10. Be Mindful of Heat: Remember that the container may become hot during burning.  To prevent accidental burns, handle the candle with caution and avoid touching the container until it has sufficiently cooled down.

After Burning:

  1. Straighten the Wick: After each burn, once the wax has cooled slightly, use a dipper tool to straighten the wick.  This simple step ensures an even burn for your next session and maintains the candle’s optimal performance.
  2. Protect and Preserve: Once the wax has completely cooled, replace the lid to safeguard the candle from dust and debris.  This practice keeps the surface clean and prepares your candle for its next use.
  3. The One-Centimeter Rule: To prevent the container from overheating, stop burning the candle when less than 1cm of wax remains.  This precautionary measure ensures a safe and controlled burn every time.
  4. Bid Farewell to Wax: When your candle has reached the end of its life, you’ll need to remove the remaining wax.  Fill the jar with boiling water, leaving approximately 1” of space at the top.  The hot water will melt the wax, causing it to float to the surface.  Once the water cools, you can easily remove the wax, ensuring it doesn’t go down the sink.  This process allows for proper disposal and prepares the container for future use or recycling.

Conclusion:

By following these candle care instructions, you can enjoy a safe, clean, and long-lasting burning experience.  Remember to trim the wick, create an optimal environment, burn your candle evenly, and take necessary precautions before and after each session.  With proper care, your candles will continue to illuminate your space, infusing it with a warm and inviting glow.  So, go ahead and light up your life knowing that you’re doing it the right way.