We all love candles and it’s only right that we take care of what we love. Elegant and sophisticated, candles are the perfect finishing touches to any home’s decor, not only for their glorious scents, but also for the cosy candlelight that they throw. As much as we’re excited to light our candles, it is more important to know how to care for your candle, and how to maintain your candle. Although, candles bring relaxation, memories and comfort, their open flame can be hazardous when not properly monitored. We want to make sure you’re burning your candles safely and happily.
There’s a right way for you to burn your candle and there’s also a wrong way which may come as a surprise to some. After all, how much attention can a candle need? But the truth is, there are some steps you should be taking if you want to keep your candles in perfect shape.
HOW DO YOU CARE FOR YOUR CANDLES?
• Ensure your candles burn evenly
When you light up your candle for the first time, ensure that it burns for a while. You want to make sure that the entire surface of the candle melts before you put it out. If you don’t, your candle could end up with a rim of solid wax that never ends up melting. This is called tunneling and I’m quite sure you’ve seen it before. If you want all the wax in your candle to burn, let it burn evenly before you put it out. Candle burning is advisable when you have a little time to spare, so you can monitor how it burns properly.
• Trim the Candle’s Wick
If you want a clean, even burn, make sure your candle’s wick is the right length. At times, the wick of the candle burns at a slower rate as compared to the candle wax. When this happens, you have to trim the wick of the candle. Before trimming the wick, ensure that the candle is not lit up and that the wick has cooled down to room temperature. You can purchase a wick trimmer go get this done or you might just use scissors if available. Try to be as precise as possible. A too short wick can get lost in a sea of melted wax and fail to light.
• Minimize mess while Putting Out your candle
When it is time to put out your candle, do it carefully. If your candle came in a jar, you can put it out by placing the lid back on or you can invest in a proper Snuffer. Blowing a candle out also works but it should be done carefully. If you blow too hard, it might cause wax to splatter everywhere, wasting your time and creating a mess for you to clean up.
• Store candles in a Cool, Dark place
Candles expire! And they’re unlikely to spoil like food does, they can lose their fragrance, become discolored or otherwise grow stale. Temperature fluctuations can speed up the aging process and light can, too. It is highly advisable that you find a cool, dark place to store your candles between seasons. Also, whenever possible, try to light your candles within 12 to 16 months of purchasing them.
• Retire your candle with Wax in it
You should stop using a candle before it completely runs out of wax. If you let your burn all the way down before putting it out, it could overheat its container which could damage the container and properly create a mess for you to clean up. Most candle experts recommend that you retire your candle while there’s still 0.5 inches of wax left in it. It is advisable to use a mug warmer to burn off the rest of the wax or placing your candle in the freezer. This can cause wax to shrink, allowing you to get it out more conveniently.
• Keep The Candle Clean
Once you’ve used a candle a few times, you may notice that Soot and other debris would have accumulated in the container. The moment you notice this, clean it out immediately. This can cause the candle to overheat and also create a flashover- when the entirety of the candle’s surface lights on fire. Use tweezers to pluck wick trimmings from your candle’s wax whenever you notice them. Use a dry towel to wipe out Soots, fingerprints and other aesthetic distractions. Don’t use a wet towel because, water can disrupt the proper burning of your candle.
Do’s And Don’t’s Of Candle Care
• Don’t let it burn for more than 3 to 4 Hours at a Time
One of the common mistake people make is letting their candles burn for too long. Candles are developed to be burned for about three to four hours at a time. You should ensure that you only burn candles when you have some spare time because you’ll want to get as close as you can to this burn duration as you can. If you go too short, your candles may funnel or it may not smell very fragrant. If you go too long, your candle may get too hot and its wax may get too thin. The heat can damage some of the fragrance oil in your candle and thin wax can cause your candle to put off soot.
• Don’t put it on a Heat Resistant Surface
This may seem obvious but it is something that keeps happening. Be sure your candle is on a steady, heat resistant surface before you light it. Also, keep your candles away from flammable objects and kids or pets who might knock it over.
• Don’t put it in a Windy Spot
Winds can cause your candle to burn unevenly which can lead to tunneling. If you notice that flame flickering or it appears to be tunneling, move the candle to a place with less air movements.
