Wondering how you can get the most enjoyment from your scented candles? Here are six tips on how you can help your candle burn safely, cleanly, and for the most hours possible. And bonus - these tips also help your candle give you the boldest aroma, as well!
Tip #1 - Trim your wicks. You've probably heard it before, but it's important to trim your wick before each use. Wicks should be about 1/4 inch long prior to lighting your candle. This keeps the flame clean and small, preventing soot and helping your candle to burn slowly, maximizing your hours of enjoyment.
Tip #2 - Watch the Melt Pool. You know the pool of melted wax that collects near the center of your candle? That's known as the melt pool. It's best to burn your candle until the melt pool reaches the outer edge of the candle. (With container candles, let them burn until the melt pool touches the container.) This lets you enjoy your candle's maximum scent - but also, it prevents what's known as "tunnelling." Tunnelling occurs when the candle will only burn to the same width as the original melt pool, leaving lots of wasted, unmelted wax near the edges of your candle.
In other words, each time you burn your candle, let it burn until the melt pool touches the container at the edges. This ensures that over time you'll be able to enjoy the entire candle and for the longest possible time.
Tip #3 - No More than 4. Never allow your candle to burn for more than 4 hours. This prevents the flame from becoming overly large (important for safety!), and it also prevents soot and smoke.
Tip #4 - Put a Lid On It! If your candle comes with a lid, use it. This helps keep your candle clean between uses. Dust and dirt that can settle on the surface of your candle cause soot and smoke when you light it, and they affect the scent, too. Keep your candle clean!
Tip #5 - Keep It Cool. When not in use, store your candles in a cool, dark place. Keeping a candle on a sunny windowsill or other warm spot can degrade the fragrance oils, causing weaker or "off" smells with future use. It can also cause the fragrance to separate from the wax base, which can cause flame flare-ups and improper burning.
Tip #6 - Buy Quality Candles. Until I began making my own candles, I had no idea that candles were so science-y! It is definitely true that quality ingredients make for quality candles, and using the property equipment, temperatures, and procedures during manufacturing can affect the quality of the final product. Purchase candles from a quality company or individual who takes care in making them well. With candles, as in life, you often get what you pay for.
I hope this information will help you get the most enjoyment from every drop of wax in your holiday candles this year!
Stephanie
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