Brooke Martin
Candles are a great way to fill your space with fragrance and set the mood. However, they are a fire hazard and need to be treated with caution. To ensure safety and avoid accidents, it is important to follow candle care instructions. From the moment you light a candle to its storage after use, there are several steps you can take to maintain your candle and get the most out of it.
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What You'll Learn
- How to store candles: Keep them in a cool, dry, and dark place, away from direct sunlight?
- How to light a candle for the first time: Let the wax melt completely to the edges before blowing it out?
- How to prevent tunneling: Keep the wax pool clear of wick trimmings and debris?
- How to prevent soot and smoke: Trim the wick regularly and keep the candle away from drafts?
- How to put out a candle: Use a candle snuffer to prevent hot wax from splattering?
How to store candles: Keep them in a cool, dry, and dark place, away from direct sunlight
When storing candles, it is important to keep them in a cool, dry, and dark place, away from direct sunlight. This will help prevent colour fading, melting, cracking, and warping.
Keeping candles in a cool, dry place is crucial to maintaining their shape and texture. If exposed to excessive heat, candles may start to melt or crack, compromising their structural integrity. Additionally, storing them in a dry environment helps prevent moisture buildup, which could otherwise lead to mould or discolouration.
A dark storage area is also beneficial, as direct sunlight can cause the colours of the candles to fade over time. Sunlight exposure may also contribute to warping, where the shape of the candle becomes distorted. By keeping them away from direct sunlight, you can maintain the vibrant colours and smooth surface of your candles.
Another factor to consider is air circulation in the storage area. While ventilation is important, strong drafts can cause uneven burning when the candle is eventually lit. Therefore, it is advisable to store candles away from vents or fans, opting instead for a well-ventilated room with gentle airflow.
Finally, it is worth noting that candles should be stored away from flammable objects and out of the reach of children and pets. Proper storage will not only preserve the quality and appearance of your candles but also ensure safety. By taking these precautions, you can extend the life of your candles and enjoy their beauty and fragrance for longer.
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How to light a candle for the first time: Let the wax melt completely to the edges before blowing it out
When lighting a candle for the first time, it is important to let the wax melt completely to the edges before blowing it out. This process is known as the “initial melt” or the "first burn", and it is critical because it creates a foundation for how the candle will burn in the future.
To do this, first, remove all packaging and place the candle on a flat, level, heat-resistant surface away from drafts and combustibles. Check that the wick is centred, as this will ensure the wax melts evenly and prevent tunnelling. Then, light the candle and let it burn for a few hours until the wax has melted to the edges. The time this will take depends on the size of your candle—for example, a 3" pillar candle should burn for a minimum of 3-4 hours.
It is important to never leave a burning candle unattended and to keep it out of the reach of children and pets. Do not burn a candle all the way down—for safety measures, stop burning a candle when there is about 1/4 inch of wax left in the vessel.
By letting the wax melt to the edges on the first burn, you will ensure that the candle continues to melt evenly across the surface each time you light it. This will maximise the life of your candle, allowing you to enjoy its full fragrance and ensuring it lasts as long as possible.
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How to prevent tunneling: Keep the wax pool clear of wick trimmings and debris
To prevent tunnelling in your candle, it is important to keep the wax pool clear of any wick trimmings and debris. This ensures that your candle burns evenly and effectively, and helps to avoid the unsightly appearance of tunnelling. Here are some detailed steps to help you achieve this:
- Always trim the wick: Before lighting your candle, ensure that the wick is trimmed to about 1/4 inch in length. This helps prevent the wick from becoming too long and falling into the wax pool. Use a wick trimmer or scissors to cut the wick at a slight angle, removing any chared or curved ends. Regularly trimming the wick also helps to control the size of the flame and reduces the amount of soot produced.
- Remove debris: Inspect the wax pool before lighting the candle. Use a small spoon, butter knife, or similar tool to carefully remove any visible debris, such as dust, dried leaves, or wick trimmings, from the wax. This ensures that the wax pool is clear and ready for the next burn.
- Avoid wind drafts: Strong wind drafts can blow debris into the wax pool, so be mindful of the candle's placement. Keep it away from open windows, fans, air conditioners, or other sources of strong airflow that could disturb the flame or blow debris into the wax.
- Cover when not in use: If your candle did not come with a lid, consider covering it with a glass cloche or a decorative cover when not in use. This helps to keep dust and other airborne particles from settling on the wax surface, ensuring that the wax pool remains clear and free of debris.
- Store in a clean environment: Store your candles in a cool, dry, and clean place. This prevents the build-up of dust or other contaminants that could settle on the wax surface. Ensure that the storage area is away from direct sunlight or heat sources, as these can cause the wax to melt and increase the likelihood of debris becoming embedded in the wax.
- Use a wick dipper: Instead of blowing out your candle, use a wick dipper to extinguish the flame. This helps to prevent hot wax from splattering and reduces the amount of smoke produced. The wick dipper also allows you to straighten and centre the wick easily, reducing the likelihood of wick debris falling into the wax pool.
By following these steps, you can effectively prevent tunnelling in your candles by keeping the wax
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How to prevent soot and smoke: Trim the wick regularly and keep the candle away from drafts
To prevent soot and smoke when burning a candle, there are a few simple steps to follow. Firstly, always trim the wick before relighting the candle. This is important, as it keeps the candle clean and helps it burn nicely. If your candle has a wooden wick, trim it down to 1/4'' after extinguishing and ensure all black carbon has been removed. Discard the wick remnants to prevent them from melting into the wax.
It is also important to keep the candle away from drafts. Drafts can cause the flame to flicker and smoke, leading to uneven burning and a diminished scent. Keep candles at least three inches apart if burning multiple at once, to prevent them from creating their own drafts. Place candles away from vents or fans, and open windows and doors, as these can also cause drafts and disperse the scent.
To prevent tunneling, where only the wax in the centre of the candle melts, burn your candle for 2-4 hours during the first burn, allowing the wax to pool around the edges. This will help to prevent dripping and ensure the candle burns evenly.
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How to put out a candle: Use a candle snuffer to prevent hot wax from splattering
When putting out a candle, it is important to take care to prevent hot wax splatters and accidental fires. Blowing out a candle is not recommended as it can cause hot wax to splatter, potentially burning your skin or damaging nearby objects. It can also result in a large plume of smoke, which can leave an unpleasant smell and set off smoke alarms.
A candle snuffer is a long, stylish-looking stick with a bell on its end. Using a snuffer is the safest and easiest way to extinguish a candle. It eliminates the need to blow out the flame, which can lead to hot wax splatters or even a fire. To use a snuffer, slowly lower the bell over the flame until it is fully enclosed and hold it there for a few seconds to ensure the flame is completely extinguished. This method is especially useful for candles in deep containers or lanterns where the wick is not easily accessible. The snuffer also minimises the amount of smoke generated during the extinguishing process.
A wick dipper is another tool that can be used to extinguish a candle without smoke or wax splatters. It is a long metal rod with a tapered or curved end. To use a wick dipper, hold it at an angle with the curved end near the flame and gently push the wick into the wax pool until the flame is extinguished. Then, use the wick dipper to straighten the wick, preparing it for the next use.
To prevent wax splatters, it is also important to keep candles out of drafts and on a flat, level, heat-resistant surface. Trim the wick to about 1/4 inch before lighting the candle to help control the size of the flame and reduce the chances of splattering. Always put out a candle before leaving the room and ensure it is completely out by checking that there is no glow coming from the wick ember.
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Frequently asked questions
Tunnelling is when only the wax in the centre of the candle melts down, creating an uneven burn. To prevent this, ensure your first burn is long enough for the wax to melt across the entire surface up to the sides of the vessel. This may take 2-4 hours.
If your candle is smoking, check for drafts or high-traffic areas, which may cause the flame to flicker and smoke. Keep candles away from vents, fans, open windows and doors, which can cause drafts and decrease burn time.
To keep dust out of your candle when it is cooled and not in use, cover it with a paper topper, lid, or cotton bag. You can remove dust and fingerprints from a candle by gently rubbing the surface with a piece of nylon or a soft cloth. The cloth can be dry or slightly dampened with water.
