How to get the most out of your candle
To make your candle last, you need to prep it before every burn. Make sure the wick is centered and straight. Remove any debris from the top of the candle. Make sure the wick is trimmed to 1/4 inch. This helps ensure an even burn and reduces smoking of the candle. A fingernail clipper works well for trimming wicks inside a container. Never trim a wick while it is lit or while the wax is liquid.
Container Candles(Jars, tins, etc.)- When you light a container candle, it is important to allow it to burn until a wax pool has formed across the entire top of the candle. That is, light it and keep it lit until the wax across the top liquifies all the way to the edge. This should not take more than 3 hours. Every time you burn your container, you will want to follow the same process to ensure that your candle burns evenly and maximizes the life of the candle.dle/maximizes the life of the cancesscess. .axxzxx, , it is important to allow it to burn until the was pool
Votive Candles- Votive candles must be burned in a votive holder. The tighter the holder fits, the longer the votive will last. Keep the wick trimmed to 1/4". Do not burn for more than three hours at a time.
Pillar Candles- Pillar candles are designed to hold the wax within the candle. When you first light your pillar candle, let the pool of wax reach within 1/4" of the outside edge, then extinguish. This will set the candle's "memory" for all future burns. Continuous short burning times will cause the candle to tunnel, reulting in a drowned wick and wasted wax. If dripping or smpoking occurs, extinguish the candle, allow the wax to harden, and trim the wick to 1/4". pill Pillar candles are designed to hold the melted was within the
Ball Candles- Ball candles burn similar to pillar candles. Make sure that your ball is on a candle plate or a holder that is big enough to catch any drips. A ball candle will burn within itself but wax can easily spill over the side if the candle is bumped or disturbed. Keep the wick trimmed to 1/4". If dripping or smoking occurs, extinguish the candle, allow the wax to harden, and trim the wick to 1/4".
What Causes a candle to Smoke?
A well made candle will have minimal soot or smoke when burned properly. However, noticeable smoking will occur whenever a candle's flame is disturbed (flickering), which causes unburned carbon particles (soot)to escape. To minimize candle flickering, trim the wick to 1/4" before lighting and keep burning candles away from drafts, such as fans, open windows, or air vents.
Why does a wick get a "mushroom" on the tip?
"Mushrooms" are carbon deposits caused by highly fragrant candles. They usually appear after a long burning cycle. Make sure you trim the "mushroom" deposits. Make sure the trimmings do not fall into the wax.
Candle Care Tips
Candles are a great way to set the mood in a room. The soft ambient light, the hypnotic flicker of the flame, and the fragrant aroma provide warmth and comfort whenever candles are used. But unless candles are used safely and watched carefully, they can lead to an accidental fire.
More than 15,000 candle fires are reported annually. According to fire experts, most candle-fire incidents are due to consumer inattention to basic fire safety or to the misuse of candles.
The National Candle Association urges consumers to be careful when burning candles, and to follow these rules for burning candles safely.
- Always keep a burning candle within sight. Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or before going to sleep.
- Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire. Keep burning candles away from furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations, etc.
- Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. Do not place lighted candles where they can be knocked over by children, pets or anyone else.
- Trim candlewicks to ¼ inch each time before burning. Long or crooked wicks cause uneven burning and dripping.
- Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candle use. The holder should be heat resistant, sturdy and large enough to contain any drips or melted wax.
- Be sure the candleholder is placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface. This will also help prevent possible heat damage to counters and table surfaces and prevent glass containers from cracking or breaking.
- Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, matches and debris at all times.
- Always read and follow the manufacturer's use and safety instructions carefully. Don't burn a candle longer than the manufacturer recommends.
- Keep burning candles away from drafts, vents, ceiling fans and air currents. This will help prevent rapid, uneven burning, and avoid flame flare-ups and sooting. Drafts can also blow lightweight curtains or papers into the flame where they could catch fire.
- Always burn candles in a well-ventilated room. Don't burn too many candles in a small room or in a "tight" home where air exchange is limited.
- Don't burn a candle all the way down. Extinguish the flame if it comes too close to the holder or container. For a margin of safety, discontinue burning a candle when 2 inches of wax remains or ½ inch if in a container.
- Never touch a burning candle or move a votive or container candle when the wax is liquid.
- Never use a knife or sharp object to remove wax drippings from a glass holder. It might scratch, weaken, or cause the glass to break upon subsequent use.
- Place burning candles at least three inches apart from one another. This is to make sure they don't melt one another, or create their own drafts that will cause the candles to burn improperly.
- Never extinguish candles with water. The water can cause the hot wax to splatter and might cause a glass container to break.
- Be very careful if using candles during a power outage. Flashlights and other battery-powered lights are safer sources of light during a power failure. Never use a candle during a power outage to look for things in a closet, or when fueling equipment - such as a lantern or kerosene heater.
- Extinguish a candle if it smokes, flickers repeatedly, or the flame becomes too high. The candle isn't burning properly and the flame isn't controlled. Let the candle cool, trim the wick, then check for drafts before re-lighting.
- Never use a candle as a night light.
