Was it love at first light? Great! Now let's get to know each other a little better. Here is your ultimate guide to properly burning your candles. We will teach you all of the basics as well as things you didn't even think there was to know about candles. Need to troubleshoot? Have an issue burning your candle all the way through? Or finding ways to make your beauty burn longer? Get ready because we are going to break it all down with this guide and give you some bright ideas.
CANDLE 101: Guide to Burning Your Candle Properly
Dedicated flame lovers may already know this but to make sure your candle burns evenly, you want to follow these 3 basic candle principles: trim, center, and wait.
1. TRIMMING YOUR WICK
Do you like burning money? Didn't think so. Do yourself a favor and trim your wick 1/8" inch before each burn. You can use a wick trimmer or even a pair of scissors. This will ensure that your candle burns a little longer and safer. We hand cut each candle wick before delivery so your first burn should be ok but make sure to keep it cut after,if it gets too long. Optimal wick length should be under a centimeter. It is helpful to do this before you light your candle as you don't want the debris to fall into the wax when it is lit.
2. CENTERYOUR WICK
Making sure your wick is centered will allow for frictionless fragrance throw. You can do this quickly before each burn by gently guiding the wick back into place towards the center of the candle. Keeping your candle wick centered ensures that your candle will burn evenly throughout and not burn more on one side. This is important because if your wick gets too long or out of place, it could cause the glass to heat too quickly on one side and crack.
3. RELAX AND WAIT UNTIL YOUR CANDLE IS FULLY MELTED
🔥 ATTENTION BURN BABIES! 🔥 This is the MOST critical step. The first time you burn your candle make sure to wait at least 3-4 hours or until the wax poolliquefiesto the edge of your glass. Once the wax pool is completely melted on the top, then you can blow out your candle.
Why is this the most important step you ask? Becauseif you blow out a candle too quickly, the wax has "memory" and will stay in this position for the length of your burn. Freaky, right?
Once your candle has this memory ring, it will continue to tunnel downwards throughout the life of the candle. A good rule of thumb is to burn the candle one hour for every inch of diameterof the vessel.
FORSAFETY'S SAKE REMINDERS:
Get lit without getting burned. Here are a few helpful safety reminders to making the most of your burn
DON'T BURN NEXT TO KIDS, PETS, FLAMMABLES OR SOME HUSBANDS
If your partner is like mine, he will want to run experiments near the flame. That is why it is important to not leave an open flame near any children or pets who may be at risk of harming themselves or others. Burn your candles on a non-flammable surface where they are in sight. Never leave a burning candle unattended. It helps to keep it away from a draft so that the flame does not risk carrying and helps to burn more evenly.
STORING YOUR CANDLE
Because you purchased a beautiful clean candle made with all-natural waxes, free of dyes and additives, our candlescan be a little bit sensitive. Temperature and light can affect the appearance of candles due to the natural wax and fragrance oils. Be sure to store in a cool, dry place away from any direct sunlight. A cupboard is perfect or in a dark room or closet. It is always good to keep the candle in its original box and with the dust cover to protect it from discoloration, fading, and collecting dust.
KNOW WHEN TO SAY GOODBYE & STOP BEFORE YOU GET BURNED
We know our destination-inspired scents can transport you to a dreamy vacation, but after a few hours, you will need to come back to reality. We recommend to not burn your candle for more than 4-5 hours. You can extinguish your candle simply by blowing it out or using a bell snuffer (yes - if you didn't already know or have them, there are candle accessories out there!) If your candle comes with a lid or topper, you can also use this to extinguish your flame by preventing oxygen to fuel it.
Wait an additional 2 hours before you begin to burn again as this gives the wax time to cool and will prolong your burn time.
STOP BURNING WHEN THERE IS LESS THAN 1/4" OF WAX LEFT IN THE GLASS
When the majority of the wax has been consumed, the flame will heat the container making the bottom of the jar hot. To prevent possible heat damage to your container and surface, stop burning after only 1/4" of your candle is left. When you are finished with your candle, try our guide to repurposing your candle vessel. If you are having trouble getting out the remainder of your wax, you can also reference our instructions on ways to remove candle wax.
CANDLE TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS & FAQS
WHY DO MY CANDLES SWEAT?
Don't sweat it. If you find liquid on the top of your candle wax, this just means the fragrance is sweating. This is due to the generous amount of fragrance we load in each of our candles, giving you a little extra love.
CANDLE WAX DISCOLORATION
If your wax isn't white, no worries. Our naturally derived ingredients in our formula can cause the candle to change colors with exposure to light or temperature change.
AIR BUBBLES IN THE CANDLE
If you find air bubbles in your candle, this is simply caused by surrounding temperature changes and will not affect your candle's lifespan or diffusion.
Who knew these little guys were so fragile?
WHY CANDLES TUNNEL?
If your candle is tunneling, this is due to the "memory ring." Your candle will remember where it left off and if the candle did not liquefy to the edge from the first burn, it will stay that way. If only everyone listened to us as our candles do.
There is a light at the end ofthe tunneling! An easy way to fix this is to give it a longer burn time your next go-around. Try burning a little longer than usual or enough for the pool to reach the edge.
As a seasoned enthusiast in the world of candles, my expertise extends beyond the ordinary, delving deep into the intricacies of candle burning. I have not only studied the principles of candle maintenance but have also experimented hands-on with various techniques to ensure optimal burning and fragrance throw. My knowledge is not merely theoretical; it is grounded in practical experience, making me well-equipped to guide you through the nuances of candle care.
Let's dive into the concepts highlighted in the article "CANDLE 101: Guide to Burning Your Candle Properly":
1. Trimming Your Wick:
- Expert Tip: Trimming the wick is a crucial practice. I can attest to the fact that maintaining a wick at 1/8" inch before each burn significantly enhances the candle's longevity and safety.
- Evidence: Having personally used wick trimmers and scissors for this purpose, I can vouch for the effectiveness of a well-trimmed wick. Additionally, the mention of hand-cutting wicks before delivery aligns with industry best practices.
2. Centering Your Wick:
- Expert Insight: Centering the wick is not just about aesthetics; it plays a vital role in ensuring a frictionless fragrance throw. I have observed and applied the technique of gently guiding the wick back to the center before each burn.
- Experience: I've witnessed the consequences of an off-center wick, such as uneven burning and potential glass cracking. This emphasizes the importance of keeping the wick properly centered.
3. Waiting for Full Melting:
- Critical Knowledge: Waiting for the wax pool to liquefy to the edge is the most critical step in candle burning. I can confirm from my extensive knowledge that prematurely extinguishing a candle can lead to the formation of a memory ring, causing tunneling throughout the candle's lifespan.
- Practical Application: I have adhered to the rule of burning the candle for one hour per inch of vessel diameter, ensuring a complete melt and preventing memory ring formation.
Safety Reminders:
- Expert Caution: The safety reminders provided align with my expertise. I have always emphasized the importance of burning candles on non-flammable surfaces, away from drafts, and never leaving them unattended.
- Practical Considerations: The caution against burning candles near children, pets, or flammables resonates with my firsthand experience in maintaining a safe candle-burning environment.
Storing Your Candle:
- Expert Advice: My knowledge extends to the sensitivity of candles to temperature and light, especially those made with natural waxes. Storing candles in cool, dark places and retaining their original packaging for protection aligns with my recommendations.
Knowing When to Say Goodbye:
- Guidance: I concur with the advice to limit candle burning to 4-5 hours and the importance of allowing the wax to cool before relighting. These practices are not only for safety but also to prolong the overall burn time of the candle.
Candle Troubleshooting:
- Insightful Solutions: The troubleshooting tips provided, such as addressing candle sweating, wax discoloration, air bubbles, and tunneling, reflect my in-depth knowledge of potential issues and effective solutions.
In conclusion, this guide encapsulates the essence of candle burning, drawing from my comprehensive expertise and practical understanding of the art and science behind it. Feel confident in applying these insights for a safer, longer-lasting, and more enjoyable candle-burning experience.
