How to care for your candles

Caring for candles is important to ensure their longevity, safety, and optimal performance. Here are some tips on how to care for candles:

  1. Trim the Wick: Before lighting a candle, trim the wick to about ¼ inch (0.6 cm) in length. A longer wick can cause the candle to burn unevenly, produce excess smoke, or create a larger flame.

  2. Proper Initial Burn: When you light a new candle for the first time, allow it to burn long enough to create a full wax pool that reaches the edges of the container. This helps prevent tunneling, where the candle only burns down the center and leaves unused wax along the sides.

  3. Burn in Intervals: It's best to burn candles in intervals of 2-3 hours. Burning candles for too short a time can lead to tunneling, while excessively long burn times can cause overheating and potentially be a fire hazard.

  4. Avoid Drafts: Place candles away from drafty areas as drafts can cause uneven burning and lead to soot formation. This includes open windows, air vents, and fans.

  5. Use Candle Snuffer: When extinguishing a candle, use a candle snuffer or gently blow it out. Avoid blowing the candle too hard, as it can cause hot wax to splatter.

  6. Keep the Wax Pool Clean: Remove any debris, such as wick trimmings or matches, from the wax pool. Foreign objects in the wax can cause the flame to flicker or create soot.

  7. Use Candle Accessories: To protect surfaces from heat damage, place candles on a heat-resistant candle holder or coaster. This also helps contain any dripping wax.

  8. Store Properly: Store candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, as exposure to heat and sunlight can affect their color, scent, and texture.

  9. Monitor Burning Candles: Never leave a burning candle unattended. Ensure that pets and children are kept away from candles to prevent accidents.

  10. Extinguish with Caution: If a candle starts to smoke excessively, flicker uncontrollably, or if the flame becomes too high, it's best to extinguish it to avoid potential hazards.

 

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