CANDLE CARE - GET THE MOST FROM YOUR CANDLES

Candle Care Matters

 Handmade candles are a little like a handcrafted piece of furniture or a bottle of fine wine - the better you treat them, the better they perform. Without proper care, however, a candle may burn unevenly, tunnel down the middle or lose some of its wonderful fragrance.

Proper candle care ensures:

• Even burning – the melted wax reaches the edges of the container, giving you longer burn time.
• Stronger fragrance throw - fragrance releases best when the candle burns cleanly.
• Candle Safety - care prevents problems like smoking wicks, sooting or overheating glass containers.

 1 The First Burn

 A candle’s very first burn is the most important one.

 Allow a full melt pool: Burn the candle until the entire surface of the wax has melted to the edges of the container (this can take 2–4 hours). If you extinguish it too soon, the candle may tunnel, leaving wasted wax around the sides of the wick.  The first burning might feel long but it ensures your candle burns evenly.

A good rule of thumb is for every 2.5cm in diameter allow one hour of burn time on the first use.

 2 Trimming the Wick

 A well-trimmed wick is the secret to a steady flame.

 Before every burn, trim your wick to about 5mm (⅟₂cm or ¼ inch). This prevents the flame from growing too large which can cause soot, smoke and uneven burning.

 Use proper tools like a wick trimmer or a small pair of scissors. Don’t break the wick off with your fingers because that can damage the wick or leave debris in the wax.

Remove mushrooming by snipping off the mushroom before relighting the candle.  A mushroom is a black ball at the tip of a wick.  Removing mushrooms improves performance and keeps your candle looking elegant.

 3 Burn Time Etiquette

 Candles don’t like extremes.  They don’t like burn time too short and they don’t like it too long.

 Finding the balance keeps them at their best. 

• Minimum burn: Let the wax pool reach the edges of the container before extinguishing the flame (especially in the first few burns).
• Maximum burn: Never burn your candle for more than 4 hours at a time.  Any longer and the wick can migrate or lean and the container may overheat.
• Cool-down period: Let the candle rest until fully cool before relighting it. This helps reset the wax and preserves the fragrance.

 4 Location Matters

Where you place your candle changes how it burns.

• Avoid drafts: Breezes and drafts cause the flame to flicker unevenly which can result in tunnelling or smoking.
• Level surfaces: Always place candles on a level surface away from flammable materials like curtains.
• Room size: Larger rooms may need two or more candles to properly scent the space while smaller rooms are fine with just one candle.

 5 Storing Candles Properly

 When not in use, proper storage will keep your candles fresh and beautiful. 

• Keep your candles away from direct sunlight:  Sunlight exposure can discolour wax and weaken the fragrance strength.
• Store in a cool, dry place: Heat and humidity can soften wax leading to sweating or uneven texture.
• Keep your candles free from dust: Replace the lid after each use. It keeps dust out and preserves the fragrance.

 Candle Safety Reminders

 As calming as candles are, they’re still an open flame. A few golden rules:

• Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• Keep away from children and pets.
• Place burning candles at least 10cm or 4 inches apart .
• Stop burning the candle when about 1cm (10mm or ⅖ inch) of wax is left.  It avoids overheating the container. 

Something to Remember

 Candles are much more than décor.  They’re carry fragrance, light and ambience. With the right care, your candle will reward you with hours of warmth filling your space with the scent you love and the comfort you want. 

• Set the memory with the first burn.
• Trim your wick before lighting.
• Burn thoughtfully (not too short, not too long).
• Store safely to preserve the fragrance. 

By following these steps, you’ll enjoy your candle to its fullest right down to its very last flicker.