Tyler Brooks
Candles can be a great way to enhance the ambiance of a room, but it's important to follow some basic safety guidelines and care tips to ensure you get the most out of your candles. Proper candle management involves knowing how to store, light, and extinguish candles, as well as how to maintain them for optimal fragrance, longevity, and safety. With the right techniques, you can elevate your candle-burning experience and enjoy your candles to the fullest.
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What You'll Learn
How to store candles properly
Storing candles properly is essential to maintaining their scent, colour, and overall quality. Here are some tips on how to store candles properly:
Avoid Temperature Extremes
Fragrance oils and waxes are sensitive to heat. Avoid storing candles anywhere that gets hotter than room temperature, and never leave them near sources of direct heat, such as radiators, space heaters, or kitchen appliances. The ideal storage temperature for candles is below 80 °F, and they can even be stored in the fridge if extra space is available. However, never store candles in the freezer, as this may damage the candle wick and cause the wax to crack or split. Similarly, garages, attics, and other areas with significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year should be avoided.
Choose a Dry, Dark Location
Bathrooms and kitchens typically have higher humidity levels than other rooms, so it is best to avoid storing candles in these areas. Additionally, do not store candles in areas prone to leakage, such as under sinks. Direct sunlight, as well as artificial light from desk lamps and spotlights, can cause oxidation and degradation of dyes and fragrance oils, resulting in a faster loss of scent and colour. Therefore, choose a dry, dark Location for storage, such as a linen closet or hallway cabinet.
Organise and Protect Your Candles
Keep like items together and store candles in an enclosed, dark, cool place. Use clear stacking bins or all-purpose storage containers to organise different types of candles and protect them from dust and other contaminants. If your candles did not come with lids, consider purchasing elegant bell cloches to display them while keeping the fragrance from escaping. Additionally, store candles out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidents.
Rotate and Inventory Your Collection
Consider organising your candles by season or type and rotating them regularly to ensure even usage and prevent waste. Take inventory of your collection periodically to keep track of the scents and colours you have on hand, as well as their expiration dates. Essential oil-infused candles, for example, tend to degrade after about two years.
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How to light a candle for the first time
To light a candle for the first time, you should first place it on a heat-resistant surface, such as a candle holder or a coaster. You should also ensure that the wick is centred in the wax and, according to some sources, trim it to about 6mm or 1/4 inch before lighting. However, other sources suggest that you should not trim the wick for the first burn as this will help the wax to melt properly.
Next, light a match or use a lighter. If you are using a match, you may want to tilt the candle sideways to prevent the flame from burning your hand. Hold the flame to the wick and remove it once the wick ignites.
Allow the candle to burn for at least one hour for every inch in diameter, or until the entire top layer of wax has melted. This will help to prevent tunnelling, where only the wax in the centre of the candle melts down. It will also allow the perfume to reach its optimal diffusion potential, ensuring a long and even burn in the future.
Do not leave a burning candle unattended and ensure it is kept out of the reach of children and pets. Avoid burning the candle for longer than four hours at a time and allow it to cool for at least two hours before relighting.
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How to extinguish a candle
When extinguishing a candle, it is important to consider the various methods and their potential issues. The four most popular ways to put out a candle are blowing it out, putting a lid on it, using a wick dipper, and using a candle snuffer. However, only the latter two are recommended.
Firstly, blowing out a candle is not advisable as it can cause wax to splatter and lead to issues like tunneling and unevenness. Additionally, it allows the candle wick to emit a lot of smoke, reducing the fragrance experience.
Secondly, while putting a lid on the candle is a common practice, it can trap smoke, infusing it back into the melted wax and altering the scent. This method can also create a vacuum effect, making it difficult to remove the lid later.
The recommended method is to use a wick dipper or a candle snuffer. A wick dipper is a tool with a long handle and a hook at the end. To extinguish the candle, use the wick dipper to quickly dip the wick into the melted wax and then lift it back out. This method instantly puts out the candle with minimal smoke.
Alternatively, a candle snuffer, which has a long handle with a bell-shaped end, is an effective and elegant solution. Hold the snuffer over the candle, lowering the bell end onto the flame. Keep the snuffer in place until the flame is completely extinguished, then remove it. Ensure that the snuffer does not come into contact with the melted wax.
After extinguishing the candle, it is important to let it cool down before moving it or covering it with a lid. Proper candle care includes regular wick trimming, surface protection, and avoiding drafts to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
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How to prevent tunneling
Candle tunneling is a common issue where a hole forms down the candle's centre, leaving unused wax at the edges. This problem reduces the total burn time of your candle and can ruin its appearance. However, there are several ways to prevent tunneling:
Firstly, the first burn of a candle is vital as it determines how the candle will continue to burn. It is important to let the entire top surface of wax melt to the edges on the initial burn. This is referred to as setting the 'memory ring' of the candle. As a rule of thumb, you should burn your candle for one hour per inch of its diameter. For example, if your candle has a diameter of 3 inches, you should let it burn for 3 hours.
After the first burn, you should burn smaller candles for 1-2 hours and larger candles for 2-3 hours. It is recommended not to burn a candle for more than 3-4 hours at a time, as this can cause the wick to form a 'mushroom' at the tip and lead to an overly deep melt pool.
Another way to prevent tunneling is to trim the wick to around 1/4 inch or 6mm before relighting the candle. This helps to keep the candle clean and burning nicely, as well as preventing black residue around the candle jar.
Finally, the placement of your candle is important. Ensure you place your candle on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from draughts and vents to avoid the flame flickering and the candle burning unevenly.
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How to care for your candle holder
Candle holder maintenance is just as important as caring for your candles. Here are some tips on how to care for your candle holder:
Cleaning the Candle Holder
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 this process easier. After clearing the wax, clean and dry the holder before placing a new candle inside.
Placement
Place your candle holder in an optimal location. This means an area with good air circulation, but away from drafts, fans, air conditioners, open windows, or crowded areas. This will help ensure the even distribution of fragrance and prevent the candle from burning quickly and unevenly.
Safety
Never leave a burning candle unattended and keep it out of the reach of children and pets. Always place the candle holder on a stable, heat-resistant surface before lighting. For candles in metal vessels, use a cork or stone coaster.
Storage
When not in use, store your candle holder in a cool, dark, and dry place to protect the wax and fragrance. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, as this can cause the candle colouring to fade.
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Frequently asked questions
Store candles in a cool, dark, and dry place with the lid on to keep them clean of dust and debris. This helps protect the wax and fragrance.
It is recommended to burn a new candle for around 1-4 hours to let the surface of the candle melt completely. This will help prevent "tunneling", where only the wax in the center of the candle melts down.
Use a candle snuffer to extinguish the flame cleanly without causing smoke. Avoid blowing out a candle as this can cause splattering and soot.
Avoid placing your candle near a draft, such as a fan, open window, or air vent. Place your candle in a well-ventilated room with good air circulation to ensure the even distribution of fragrance.
Trim the wick before each burn to a length of approximately 6mm or 1/4 inch. This helps prolong the life of your candle by allowing for a more controlled flame and less smoke.
