How To Care For Candle? Dos and don’ts of candle care

Helen Skeates
Helen Skeates
18 min read

Because they’re made by hand, each of our scented candles will provide hours of olfactory enjoyment. It’s our goal to get a more pure smell out of them while still preserving their high quality for as long as possible. To maintain your candles in peak condition, read our tips on how to care for them.

Lighting a candle is a great way to bring a room’s decor together. Not only do they have a great scent, but the illumination they throw is also quite pleasant. You may use this guide to get the most out of your candles by following these tips.

Of course, a candle may seem insignificant, right? Candles, on the other hand, may be taken care of with a few simple strategies. Entering a home filled with the scent of burning candles is an unforgettable experience.

How to take care of your candles

Make sure your candle burns evenly the first time you light it

When you first light a candle, allow it to burn for a bit before extinguishing it. Before extinguishing the candle, make certain that it has melted completely across its whole surface. Why? In the absence of this precaution, your candle may develop a solid wax rim that will never melt. “Tunnelling,” as it’s known, is a common occurrence. When burning candles, it’s crucial to allow the wax to burn evenly before extinguishing it. It’s recommended that you wait to light a fresh candle unless you have some extra time, according to Scott Dean Brown, owner of SDB Candle Co.

ME&MATS Candle care | Find instructions and take care of your candle

Keep your candle clean

The soot and other debris that accumulate in a candle’s container after a few uses may be noticeable. Remove this filth as soon as you see it. According to Kathy LaVanier, CEO of Renegade Candles, “debris that protrudes beyond the wax can be ignited by the candle’s flame and cause several flames in the candle.” This can result in a flashover or a complete burning of the candle’s surface due to the candle becoming overheated.

Keep your candle’s wax clean by using tweezers to remove wick trimmings as soon as you notice them. Soot, fingerprints, and other obtrusive elements can be removed using a dry towel. The candle’s flame can be disrupted if you use a damp towel.)

Trim your candle’s wick

Make sure your candle’s wick is the correct length if you want it to burn evenly and cleanly. And it may necessitate a little trimming. Check the length of your wick before lighting your candle. Use scissors (or a wick trimmer) if it’s longer than the 0.25-inch recommended length. Relight the cigarette. There is a fine line between too much and not enough. Make sure your wick isn’t too short, otherwise it will get lost in the melting wax and not light.

Minimize mess when putting out your candle

Carefully extinguish your candle when the time arrives. If your candle was packaged in a jar, simply replace the lid to extinguish the flame. You might also buy a snuffer. When it comes to extinguishing candles, LaVanier recommends using caution. Use only the amount of air that is necessary.” If you blow too forcefully, the wax will spatter all over the place, wasting your wax and requiring you to clean up the mess you made.

To put out a candle, you can also immerse the wick in molten wax. Using a wick dipper, LaVanier claims, you may accomplish this. Make sure to straighten your wick before it dries using the tool to press it into the wax.

Retire your candle while there’s still wax in it

Before the wax in a candle runs out, you should cease using it. Why? Because of the dangers of overheating a candle’s container, you should never let it burn out completely. Relight your candle when it has about half an inch of wax remaining, according to most candle experts.

Clean out the wax before reusing your bottle. A mug warmer or storing your candle in the freezer is recommended by LaVanier to remove the remaining wax. Allowing the wax to shrink can make it easier to remove. “Give your vessels new life and reuse them—as a flower vase, an orchid pot, a pencil holder, a beauty brush holder, or even a drinking glass,” Brown advises.

Store your candles in a cool, dark place

Your candles, unfortunately, have a limited shelf life. The smell, color, and freshness can all degrade with time even though they aren’t likely to go bad like food would. Temperature swings can speed up the aging process, as well as sun exposure. Store your candles in a cool, dark location when not in use. In Brown’s opinion, candles should be kept at room temperature. Try to use your candles within the first 12 to 16 months of purchasing them.

The Very First Burn

It’s best to burn the candle until the wax is completely melted when lighting it for the first time. Then, for the duration of the candle’s life, to prevent tunneling and maintain an even burn. Even if it takes up to 2-4 hours, we can assure the extra time will be worth it in the end.

Keep It Tidy

Make sure there aren’t any unburned wicks or matches floating about in your melted wax. In there, you don’t want any debris. Charring is left behind instead of a nice scent.

ME&MATS Candle care | Find instructions and take care of your candle

Trimming your wick will prevent it from burning and falling into the hot wax if you do not. a fire threat and an uncontrollable odor Instead of emitting an odor, the candle will emit smoke. Candles will last longer and smell better if you take care of this simple step in their care.

How To Deal With Soot

If soot forms inside the vessel, blow out the candle and let it cool. Then use a wet towel to remove any remaining residue.. After you’ve finished trimming the wick, relight the candle.

How To Put Out A Candle

Using a snuffer, put out the flame or dip the wick into the molten wax to extinguish it. As a final precaution, straighten out any hot wax splatters with a utility knife or straightening tool. Candles should not be extinguished.

How Do You Know If Your Candle Is Burning Correctly?

A flame that is not flickering, teardrop-shaped, and upright is an example of efficient burning. Extinguish any candle that is smoking, flickering, or emitting a large amount of vapor. Before cutting the wick and checking for drafts, allow the candle to cool completely.

Don’t Burn To The Bottom.

Also, candles should not be lit when there is less than 10mm of wax left in the jar. To prevent the glass jar from overheating, don’t keep burning the candle until the wax runs out. A more even burn can be achieved by keeping lit candles out of drafts.

Extend Your Scent Throw

The aroma will dissipate and become less concentrated if the windows and doors are opened. Keep the doors and windows closed to ensure the best possible odor. Begin by lighting a 30 minute bonfire in the designated area.

Ensure your candle is on a heat-resistant surface.

It may seem obvious, but it’s worth emphasizing how to properly care for a candle. To begin, place your candle on a heat-resistant, solid surface before lighting it. You could end up damaging your furniture if you don’t take care of it.

Prevent your candles from freezing.

When it comes to candles, a common fallacy is that they last longer when they are frozen. On the other side, freezing a candle could result in its wax separating from the container. For example: It may be more difficult to get a clean and even burn the next time.

Never leave a candle unattended.

Even if you leave your candle burning, do it with care. Also, don’t leave it unattended while you’re trying to get some shut-eye. Accidents might happen, but if you stay awake and present while your candle is burning, you can avoid them.

Please follow the instructions.

It’s a good idea to pay attention to the instructions. You should always follow the care instructions that came with your particular candle even if it was made from a different material.

Make sure your candle burns as long as possible by using this.

Dos and don’ts of candle care

Do let your candle burn for about 3 to 4 hours at a time

As far as LaVanier is concerned, it’s one of the most prevalent blunders she sees. Candles are either burned too long or not burned long enough by people. As she explains, “Candles are designed to be burned for three to four hours at a time.” As a result, you’ll want to aim for a burn time as similar to this one as possible.

If you cut your candle too short, it may tunnel or not have a strong scent. In LaVanier’s words, “Fragrance is released through the evaporation of the pool of hot wax.” It is thus possible to emit more with a larger hot wax pool. If you burn your candle for too long, the wax will get too thin and the flame will burn out. Candles can emit soot if the wax is too thin or the heat is too high. This can harm the fragrance oils in your candle.

Don’t put your candle in a windy spot

Tunneling is possible when your candle burns unevenly due to the effects of wind. Candles should be kept away from air vents, windows, and drafts, according to Brown’s advice. “Move the candle to an area with less air movement if you observe the flame flickering or appears to be tunneling.”

Do put your candle on a heat-resistant surface

This one may seem apparent, but it’s worth reiterating for your own benefit. Before lighting your candle, make sure it is on a stable, heat-resistant surface. Your furniture may be damaged if you don’t. Keep your candle away from any combustible objects, as well as any children or pets who might accidentally knock it over.

Don’t let your wick mushroom

Is this the first time you’ve ever seen a candle wick topped with a charred bit of popcorn? A mushroom is what you’re looking at. Before relighting your candle, remove any mushrooms from the wick. For the sake of your health, you should avoid using too much fuel at once. When trimming your wick, be on the lookout for mushrooms. After that, relight your candle to complete the ritual.

Do keep lit candles a few inches apart

When lighting multiple candles at once, make sure they are at least six inches apart. Putting them near one another could result in a dangerous buildup of heat or melting. “Candle-scaping” is a lovely look, according to LaVanier. Candles should be kept at least 5 to 6 inches apart for maximum performance.

Don’t freeze your candles

According to LaVanier, there is an old wives’ tale about freezing candles making them last longer. A candle’s wax will actually break if it is frozen. You’ll have a more difficult time lighting it the following time because of this.

Do follow the directions

Never skip reading the instructions. Make sure to follow the care instructions that come with your candle because they can be created from a variety of different substances. This can help you get the most out of your candle’s life.

Don’t leave your candle unattended

Keep an eye on your candle and turn it off before you go to bed. Despite the fact that accidents sometimes happen, you may avoid them by being present and aware when your candle is burning.

Before Burning

Make sure the wick is at least a quarter of an inch long before lighting your candle. This prevents leaking, flaming, and uneven burning. More information can be found on this page.

Avoid vents, air currents, and drafts. Sooting and excessive dripping will be prevented by this.

While Burning

  • A burning candle should never be left alone or lit while you sleep. You should always extinguish all candles before you leave the room or go to bed.
  • When a candle is burning, never touch or move it. When the wax in a candle container has melted, it should never be moved.
  • Don’t go out with a smoldering wick. Stop burning a candle when it has 14 inch of wax remaining as a safety precaution.
  • Place each candle at least three inches apart if you’re using more than one. The purpose of this is to prevent them from melting one another or causing their own draught.
  • If a candle’s flame gets too high or flickers frequently, put it out. Make sure the candle has cooled down before re-lighting it. Trim the wick, and check for any unwanted drafts.
  • During a power outage, be particularly careful when lighting candles. A power outage is a much safer time to use battery-powered lights like flashlights.
  • Never place a lit candle near combustible materials. Ensure that candles are not placed near anything that could catch fire, including furniture, drapes and beds, carpets and flammable decorations.
  • Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets at all times….. Do not place lit candles in areas where children, pets, or anybody else could accidentally knock them over.

When Extinguishing

  • Make sure to extinguish a candle with an appropriate snuffer to avoid splattering hot wax.
  • Don’t put water on a burning candle to extinguish it, as this could cause the wax to splatter and damage a glass holder.
  • Ensure that your candle is entirely extinguished and the ember is no longer emitting light.

You should not touch or move the cooled candle.

How To Burn Your Candle

  1. Use a well-ventilated space to light your candle and keep it away from drafts or fans that could cause sooting (the appearance of black lines on the jar) or uneven burning.
  2. Burn regular-sized candles for one and a half to two hours at a time. Burning for less time can cause the candle to ‘tunnel’, which leaves a build-up of wax around the vessel’s sides. Burning for longer periods (over four hours) can cause the wick to move, or slant.
  3. Spend an hour and a half to two hours with regular-sized candles each time you use them. If the candle is burned too quickly, the wax builds up around the vessel’s sides, making it difficult to remove the wax. The wick may slant or move if burned for longer periods of time (than four hours).

How To Store Your Candle

  1. It is best to store your candle in a cool and dry location with an exquisite candle lid to protect the quality wax from dust, which can reduce its aroma and cause issues during burning.
  2. If you see condensation forming on the top of a candle, that’s a sure sign it wasn’t stored properly or for long enough. Before lighting, use a paper towel to remove any remaining residue.
  3. The perfume of a candle can diminish if it is left unattended for an extended period of time, so use your candle quickly to preserve its lovely aroma.

Christmas Candle 24k Gold Frankincense + Myrrh Scented By The Luxe Candle Co | notonthehighstreet.com

Using Our Botanical Candles

  1. When using botanical pillar candles, always use a candle plate since they have a hard outer shell (which does not burn down) and a soft wax center (which does).
  2. Avoid exposing them to direct heat, since this can cause the wax to soften and crack, allowing the inner core to leak out.
  3. Botanical Candles are delicate and should be handled with the same care as other types of candles, such as trimming the wicks and keeping them in a cool, dry place.

Conclusion

Care and attention must be given to your candles. Candles may be a lot of fun if you take care of them properly, as detailed above. Use caution when lighting candles and have fun!

Helen Skeates

Helen Skeates

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