Maddie James
Candles are a great way to add warmth and style to any space. However, to ensure that you get the most out of your candles, it is important to care for them properly. From the first burn to the last, there are several steps you can take to make sure your candles burn evenly and safely.
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What You'll Learn
How to store candles
Storing your candles correctly will help keep them fresh for as long as possible. Candles tend to degrade due to temperature and light exposure, so it is best to store them in a cool, dark place, such as a cupboard or basement.
To keep dust out of your candle, cover it with a paper topper, lid, or cotton bag a few hours after it has cooled down. Alternatively, you can use the wooden lid as a coaster by placing it underneath the candle to protect the surface from heat damage.
If you are storing candles that have already been burned, make sure to remove any excess wax from the holder. You can use a spoon or a mug warmer to clear the wax, and then clean and dry the holder before storing your candle.
It is also important to keep your candle wick trimmed to around 6mm or 1/4 of an inch before storing it. This will help your candle burn more evenly and smell fresh when you use it next.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your candles stay in good condition and are ready for use whenever you need them.
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How to prevent wax tunneling
Candle tunneling is a common issue with candles, where a hole forms down the centre, leaving unmelted wax at the edges. This happens when a candle is not burnt carefully, and only a small portion of wax surrounding the wick melts.
To prevent tunneling, it is important to ensure that during the first burn, the candle is left to burn for long enough to allow the entire surface of the candle to melt. This usually takes around one to three hours, depending on the size of the candle. A good rule of thumb is to burn the candle for one hour for every inch of the candle's diameter. This allows the candle to set its wax "memory", which will ensure that during subsequent burns, the entire surface of the candle will melt evenly.
If you notice that your candle has started to tunnel, there are a few things you can do to fix it. One method is to melt the "shelf" of wax around the wick with heat. This can be done by wrapping tinfoil around the top of the candle to redirect the heat back into the wax, or by using a hair dryer or heat gun to melt the surface of the candle. Alternatively, you can place the candle in a low oven for around 20 minutes to melt the wax. If the tunneling is too deep, you may need to pour off some wax or wick it out with a paper towel.
Another cause of tunneling is a wick that is too small for the size of the candle. If the wick is too small, it may not generate enough heat to melt the wax all the way to the edge. In this case, you may need to replace the wick with a larger one.
By following these steps, you can help prevent wax tunneling and ensure that your candles burn evenly and beautifully.
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How to prevent wax splatter
To prevent wax splatter, it is recommended to use a candle snuffer each time you put out the candle's flame. Alternatively, you can use a wick dipper to dip the wick into the melted wax and then straighten the wick before it dries. If you plan on blowing out the candle, do so softly to avoid making a mess with the wax. Avoid using the lid to extinguish the flame, as this can cause smoke marks and stains on the glass.
To prevent wax from spilling onto candleholders and tables, you can make your own wax holders using cardboard and aluminium foil. Cut the cardboard into squares and cover both sides with foil. Make a cut in the centre of the cardboard and foil that is large enough for the candle to pass through, but small enough to fit tightly around it.
If a candle with hot wax spills, it can splatter onto floors and walls. To remove wax from painted walls, use paper towels, an iron, and hot soapy water. Place three layers of paper towels on the wax and gently press down with an iron on its lowest heat setting. Continue to change out the paper towels until no more wax is absorbed. Finally, wash the area with hot, soapy water to remove any remaining wax residue.
For wax spills on textured surfaces, use a hair dryer instead of an iron. Set the hair dryer to its highest setting and hold paper towels just beneath the wax as it melts to absorb it. For wax spills on clothes, carpet, or wood floors, place the garment in the freezer until the wax has completely cooled, then use a butter knife to remove it. If the wax has created a stain, lay a paper bag over it and use an iron on its highest heat setting to melt the stain onto the paper.
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How to prevent smoke
To prevent smoke, it is important to ensure that your candle is well-maintained. This involves keeping the wick trimmed and ensuring complete combustion. A trimmed wick creates a calm, steady flame, allowing the candle to burn in balance. The wick efficiently pulls up the right amount of wax, and the flame creates complete combustion. If the wick is too long, it won't be able to draw wax all the way up, and the wick itself will start to burn, causing smoke. A long wick can also cause the flame to grow too long and flare, producing soot.
To prevent this, trim the wick and remove the "mushroom" left by the previous burn using a wick trimmer. You can also trim the wick by lighting it, blowing it out after about 60 seconds, and then trimming and lighting it again. It is also important to avoid burning the candle for too long, as this can cause wick clogging, especially in heavily scented or coloured candles. As a general rule, burn your candle for 4-6 hours and let it cool completely before relighting.
Additionally, it is crucial to burn your candle in a well-ventilated room, away from drafts, vents, or strong air currents. Candles burn best in still air. Too much or too little air reaching the flame will disturb the ideal teardrop shape of the flame, causing flickering and smoking. Burning your candle in a draught or blowing it out will also cause incomplete combustion, leading to smoke.
To extinguish your candle without smoke, use a candle wick dipper to bend the wick into the wax. This age-old trick will put out the flame without any smoke. Alternatively, you can use the hot wax to immediately put out the flame. Use your dipper tool to pull the wick back out of the wax, which also prepares the wick for the next use.
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Candle safety
Candles are a great way to add warmth and style to your space, but they must be handled with care. Here are some tips to ensure your safety when using candles:
- Always place your candle on a heat-resistant surface or, better yet, use a candle holder to avoid damage to your furniture from the hot wax.
- Keep candles out of reach of children and pets. Never leave a burning candle unattended, and ensure it is not left burning near anything that might catch fire.
- Avoid drafts and vents, which can cause uneven burning and increase the chances of soot.
- Keep the wax pool clear of wick trimmings, debris, and burnt matches.
- Do not burn the candle for too long. For the initial burn, it is recommended to let the candle burn for 1-3 hours to prevent "tunneling," where only the wax in the centre melts down.
- Trim the wick before relighting to ensure a clean and even burn.
- Do not blow on the candle to extinguish it, as this can cause wax to splatter. Instead, use a candle snuffer or a wick dipper to avoid creating smoke marks.
- Stop using the candle when there is only a small amount of wax left at the bottom, as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Always allow the candle to cool completely before moving or covering it.
- Store unused candles in a cool, dark place to keep them fresh for as long as possible.
By following these simple guidelines, you can safely enjoy the warmth and ambiance that candles bring to your space.
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Frequently asked questions
To prevent wax from splattering, use a candle snuffer to put out the candle. Hold the snuffer over the flame for 5 seconds. Alternatively, if you plan on blowing out the candle, blow softly to avoid making a mess with the wax.
During the first burn, let the candle burn for 1-4 hours, allowing the wax to melt completely to the edges of the container. This will help prevent "tunneling", where only the wax in the centre of the candle melts down. Keep the candle away from drafts, air currents, or vents as the rush of air can cause uneven burning.
Keep your candles in a cool, dark place like a cupboard or basement. To keep dust out of the candle, cover it with a paper topper, lid, or cotton bag a few hours after it has cooled down.
After removing a spent candle, use a spoon to carefully scrape the melted wax from the holder. You can also use a mug warmer to make the process easier. Clean and dry the holder before placing a new candle inside.
