Caring for your candles is essential to ensure they burn cleanly, evenly, and safely. Here are five ways to care for your candles:
Trim the Wick:
Before each use, trim the candle's wick to approximately 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) in length. A shorter wick helps the candle burn more evenly and reduces soot and smoke. Long wicks can cause the candle to burn unevenly and may create a larger, flickering flame.
Avoid Drafts: Place your candles in a draft-free location. Drafts can cause candles to burn unevenly, create soot, and even extinguish the flame. Keep windows and doors closed if there's a breeze, or use a candle holder with a protective shield or lid to block drafts.
Center the Wick: Make sure the wick is centered in the candle. If the wick is off-center, it can cause the candle to burn unevenly, leading to a tunneling effect where the wax doesn't melt evenly. Adjust the wick's position while the wax is still soft after extinguishing the flame.
Allow for a Full Pool of Wax: On the first burn, allow the candle to burn long enough for a full pool of melted wax to form across the top. This sets the "memory" of the candle and prevents tunneling on subsequent burns. Depending on the candle size, this may take a few hours.
Extinguish Safely: Always extinguish the candle properly. Use a candle snuffer or gently blow out the flame. Avoid blowing out the candle forcefully, as this can create soot and spatter. Ensure the wick is upright and not bent or submerged in melted wax.
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