Candles are a great addition to any home and can create a wonderful atmosphere in the rooms you burn them in. To help you get the most out of every candle that you burn, I've assembled some basic candle care guidelines.
1. Let your candle form a full melt pool.
The melted wax of a burning candle is called the melt pool. It's important that you allow a full edge to edge melt pool to form in the container the first time you burn your candle. This ensures that your candle won't begin tunnel, or burn straight down through the wax without melting the wax on the sides of the jar as it goes. How long it takes a melt pool to form depends on the size of the candle. The smaller soy candles take 1-2hrs. to form a full pool, while the larger ones will take 3-4hrs.
2. Keep the wick trimmed to a 1⁄4 inch.
Trimming your wick will help your candle burn evenly, prevent it from burning too fast, and prevent the flame from getting too big. Wait for your candle to fully cool to trim it after each burn.
3. The recommended burn time is 4hrs.
Burning your candle for four hours allows a full melt pool to form and for the scent to fill your room. After four hours, snuff out your candle and allow it to cool for at least two hours before trimming the wick and relighting
4. Don't touch that hot candle!
As your candle burns, the glass will heat up. It's safest to not touch or move a burning candle. Additionally, the melted wax can spill if you accidentally tip your candle when trying to move it. Avoid this potential mess by waiting for your candle to cool before moving it.
5. Don't burn your candle all the way to the bottom.
For safety, stop burning your candle when just a 1⁄2 inch of wax remains. As the flame reaches the bottom of the jar the increased heat against the glass can damage the container or the surface it's on.
Tip: That last 1⁄2 inch of unburned wax does not have to go to waste. Place your candle on a wax warmer to squeeze out that last bit of fragrance. Follow the manufacturer's use and safety guidelines for your wax warmer.
6. For a smoke-free experience, use a wick dipper.
A wick dipper is a non-flammable rod that can be used to dip the flaming wick into the wax and extinguish the candle cleanly. This prevents soot from building up on the sides of your container and getting into the air causing your room to smell smoky. After dipping and extinguishing the wick, gently use the wick dipper to pull the tip of the wick out of the wax and re-center it so that it's ready for the next burn.
Additional Safety Guidelines:
- Never leave a burning candle unattended!
- Do not place your burning candle near anything flammable. Allow at least 2ft. of space between the candle and anything flammable.
- Keep your burning candle away from children and pets.
- Do not place your burning candle near drafts, ceiling fans, or other air currents.
- Burn your candle on a heat resistant surface.
