With so many sizes, designs and colours available, candles are a popular choice for adding warmth and style to any space. However, it's crucial to provide them with the proper care and attention to maximize your enjoyment.
Fortunately, dedicating a little time to show your candles some tender loving care can make all the difference. To assist you, we have compiled a comprehensive list of simple candle care tips, ensuring you achieve an ideal burn every single time whether your candle is in a glass jar, wooden jar or comes in no jar at all like a pillar candle.
Before You Begin
How to Store Candles
Most candles stay in good condition for around 12-16 months after purchase. While you can still use old candles, you’ll probably find that the quality of their burn, fragrance, and colour has diminished. Knowing how to store candles correctly helps you keep them fresh for as long as possible.
Temperature and light exposure play a significant role in candle degradation.
Optimal storage involves placing your candles in a cool, dark location such as a cupboard or basement. Some people even place their spare candles under a glass cloche so they can remain on display even during storage.
If you come across condensation on the surface of your stored candles, it indicates fluctuating temperatures. In such cases, gently wipe the candles with a paper towel and relocate them to a spot with a more consistent temperature.
By implementing these storage practices, you'll ensure your candles stay in top condition, ready to create the perfect ambiance whenever you need them.
When You Burn
Place Your Candle on a Heat-Resistant Surface
Of all our candle care tips, this might seem the most obvious. But you’d be surprised how easy it is to forget.
When your candle melts, a pool of hot wax forms at its base, which can potentially damage your furniture. To prevent any unsightly burn marks, always place your candle on a heat-resistant surface or, even better, use a candle holder.
Get the First Burn Right
The first burn of a new candle is a vital step in how to burn a candle evenly.
When you light it for the first time, be sure to let the surface of the candle melt completely. Putting it out too early can create a rim of hard wax that never melts even as the wick and central wax continue to burn down. This is known as tunneling.
As a standard practice, it’s best to burn a new candle for around 1-4 hours before extinguishing the flame.
Remember, it's important to choose the appropriate time to light a new candle, ensuring you have enough time to fully enjoy its beautiful glow. By following these guidelines, you'll maximize the longevity and overall performance of your candles.
Let Each Burn Last 3-4 Hours
We already mentioned that burning your candle for a short time can cause tunneling. This not only wastes a significant portion of your candle but if you’re using a scented candle this also hampers the release of its delightful fragrance. Fragrances are released through the evaporation of the hot wax pool, so allowing enough burn time ensures you can fully enjoy the scents.
Letting your candle burn for too long can also be problematic. This can lead to your candle overheating, which in turn thins the wax. As well as damaging the fragrance oils and causing your candle to put off soot, your candle may slant and burn unevenly, affecting both aesthetics and performance.
By aiming for a burn time of 3-4 hours per session, you strike the perfect balance between maximizing fragrance release and maintaining the integrity of your candle.
Keep it Away from Wind
Of course, a strong breeze can blow your candle out. But even gentle wind from a draft, window, or air vent can can result in a flickering flame and an inconsistent burn.
If you notice the flame flickering, consider relocating the candle to a more sheltered spot or use a hurricane glass container to provide additional protection.
By safeguarding your candle from wind and airflow, you'll maintain a steady, even burn and enjoy its warm glow without interruption.
Extinguish with a Candle Snuffer
Most people simply blow out their candles once they’re done. But this bad habit kicks soot and wax up into the air, which can be detrimental to indoor air quality and your health. Instead, follow this tip for a cleaner and safer experience:
Opt for a candle snuffer to extinguish your candles. This simple tool helps to smother the flame gently without creating any smoke or mess.
After extinguishing the flame, take a moment to centre and straighten the wick. This ensures that your candle is ready for the next burn, promoting an even and efficient burn throughout its lifespan.
By incorporating the use of a candle snuffer into your candle care routine, you'll enjoy a healthier, cleaner environment, reduce the need for frequent cleaning caused by soot and wax residue while also prolonging the life of your candles.
Once You’re Done
Trim the Wick
While the wicks gradually burn up as you use your candle, they don't disappear as quickly as the wax. Lighting a wick that’s too long causes the wax to burn more quickly and unevenly, which leads to drips even in dripless candles. You may also see high flames, smoking, and sooting, all of which should be avoided.
Before your next burn, use a wick trimmer to cut the wick to around ¼” (0.6 cm) in length. This length promotes a steady and controlled burn, allowing the wax to melt evenly. Avoid trimming it too short, as a very short wick can be extinguished by the melting wax or may struggle to ignite at all.
Between uses, your candle may have been displaced or knocked off balance. Before lighting it again, ensure that the candle is properly repositioned and the wick is aligned centrally. This ensures an even burn and prevents any potential issues caused by an off-center wick.
By trimming the wick and properly repositioning the candle, you'll maintain a clean burn, prolong the life of your candle, and ensure a delightful experience each time you light it.
Replace Your Candle Before It Burns Out Entirely
Knowing when to retire a candle is an often overlooked but crucial aspect of candle care. It's best to replace your candle before it burns out completely for several reasons:
Prevent Container Damage and Mess
Burning a candle until it reaches the very bottom can lead to overheating, potentially damaging the container. The excessive heat can cause the container to crack or shatter, resulting in a messy and potentially hazardous situation. By replacing the candle before it burns out entirely, you safeguard the integrity of the container and avoid any potential mishaps.
Save Yourself Hassle
Leaving a small amount of wax, around ½", in the bottom of the container makes it easier to handle and clean. It allows for a smoother transition when replacing the candle, saving you the hassle of dealing with stubborn wax residue or a messy cleanup.
By retiring your candle with approximately ½" of wax remaining, you prioritize safety, maintain the condition of the container, and simplify the process of replacing your candle. This simple step ensures a hassle-free and enjoyable candle-burning experience.
Clean Out Your Candle
Over time, wick trimmings and other debris can accumulate on the surface of the wax. Use tweezers or a similar tool to carefully pluck out any larger debris from the melted wax pool. This prevents multiple flames and reduces the risk of overheating and uneven burning.
To remove soot, fingerprints, and other small particles from the candle's surface, gently wipe it with a dry paper towel. Ensure that the paper towel is free of any moisture or cleaning agents. This dry wiping method is suitable for most candle materials and helps restore the candle's aesthetic appeal.
By regularly cleaning your candle, you enhance its safety and maintain its visual appeal. A clean candle promotes a more even and enjoyable burn, allowing you to fully appreciate its beauty and fragrance.
Maintaining your candle holder is an essential part of maximizing your candle enjoyment. Follow these steps to effectively clean out your candle holder:
Remove Melted Wax
Once you have removed the spent candle, take a spoon or a similar tool and carefully scrape off the remaining melted wax from the holder. Gently apply pressure to loosen and lift the wax.
Clean and Dry the Holder
After clearing the wax, wash the holder using warm soapy water. Use a soft cloth or sponge to gently scrub away any remaining residue. Rinse thoroughly and ensure the holder is completely dry before using it for your next candle. This step helps maintain the holder's cleanliness and prevents any residue from affecting the performance of future candles.
By regularly cleaning out your candle holder, you ensure a clean and fresh foundation for each new candle you place within it. This simple maintenance routine prolongs the lifespan of your holder and contributes to a delightful candle experience.
If your candle is housed in a vessel, there's an opportunity for creative repurposing once the candle has burned down. Instead of discarding the vessel, consider repurposing it in various ways.
By repurposing your candle vessel, you can extend its usefulness and add a unique touch to your home decor. Get creative and explore the possibilities to breathe new life into your favourite candle containers.
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