Candles are not to be burnt anyhow. There are techniques and principles to follow when burning and using candles. When these techniques are followed duly, the best results would be obtained from our burning candles. The right scents throw and flame type would be obtained if these techniques are followed. Also, when your candles are burnt right, safety is guaranteed. Some of these techniques to follow when using candles include:
- Always trim your candle wick
Before burning your candles trim the wick to about ¼ inches long. This would help in producing a clean and bright flame. Long wicks are a major source of the black sooty stains that stains the candle container. Also, when wicks are not trimmed before being burned, particles would be formed inside the flame and obscure it. You can cut your wicks with a scissors or nail trimmer, if you do not have a wick trimmer. Do not trim a candle’s wick if the wax is not dry.
- Do not blow out your candles until the top layer has melted uniformly.
Tunneling occurs when candle burns down at its center forming a hollow at the middle of the candle. Tunneling is encouraged when a candle is not allowed to melt uniformly before blown out. Blowing out a candle when it has not burnt uniformly (this may take hours) may result in the wick sinking deeper and deeper into the candle and thus creating a tunnel.
Allow candles to burn for about 3-4 hours for the first time so they would burn even subsequently and last long.
- Do not light your candles for more than 5 hours at a time
When candles are burnt for very long hours overheating occurs in the jar may occur. When this happens, the whole candle can melt into liquid and the wick may float to a side of the candle container. This would affect how the performance of the candle.
- Do not burn candles in areas with moving air
Burn candles away from open windows, fans or air conditioners. They are sources of moving air. Moving air disturbs the flames produced by the candles. When candles are burnt in areas with moving air, it flames becomes sooty and stain the candle container with black marks.
- Store candles properly
Store your candles in dry places away from liquid and excess heat. The place where they candles should be stored should also be relatively dark. Also, container candles that come with lids should be covered with their lids to prevent deterioration of strength throw and wax performance.
- Be safety conscious when burning candles
Heat-resistant surfaces are the safest surfaces to burn your candles. Lit candles should be put away from drafts and heat sources in general. Also, flammable materials should be taken away from candles
- Know when to dispose-off your candles
Candles should not be used till the wax it totally used up. To avoid accident and burning of the glass container in which the candle is put, when the candle is used to a certain point, it should no longer be burnt.
WHEN SHOULD I STOP USING MY CANDLES?
You should stop using candles when the wax is remaining ½ inch.
When a candle becomes as short as ½ inch, the container in which the candle sits becomes incredibly hot. This is as a result of the flame’s proximity to the bottom of the candle’s container. So, it is advisable to stop burning your candles when the wax when only ½ inch of the candle is left. This is to help prevent heat causing damage to the container in which your candle is or the platform on which your candle was lit.
Candle containers are often made from glass. When candles shorter than ½ inch are burnt in the container, excess heat in the base of the container may cause the glass container to shatter.
Stopping to use candles with very short wax may be a safety measure to keeping your life and properties safe from fire accident. This is because a fire outbreak may result if the container holding the candle is broken.
WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY REMAINING CANDLE WAX?
Dispose it? Definitely not!
You might be considering the economic implication of wasting a ½ inch candle. You don’t have to worry about that because the candle can be put into good use. Below are ways you can use your remaining candle wax:
- To make new candles
Your many ½ inch candle waxes can be melted together and used to make a new candle
- To lubricate wood
Your left over candle wax can be used to lubricate woody materials like a hard drawer or cupboard door.
- To seal the end of your shoelace
Shoelaces become fray at the end with time. To fix this problem, deep the end of the shoelaces in hot wax and tighten with your fingers.
- To lubricate difficult zippers
Have you got difficult zippers on your cloth that won’t open smoothly? Lubricate the teeth of the zippers with your left over candles and see how it would open and close smoothly. This works like magic!
- Leftover candles can be used in wax warmers
Your remaining scented candle wax can be cut into bits and used in a wax warmer.
- To seal letters
Hey! This might sound so last-season, but it’s definitely worth giving a try. Melt your wax and use it to seal those fancy letters.
WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY EMPTY CANDLE CONTAINER
Now, the wax has been utilized, you are left with that expensive container in which your candle wax sold in. That your container can also be put into good use, here are a few ways you can use them:
1. They can be used for holding toothbrush or cotton wool
2. They can be used for holding stationary items like scissors, pens and pencils
3. Your candle containers can also be used as planters
