Candle Burning TipsThese candle burning tips will help you get the best results from your candles and the most value for your money. Sit back, relax, and light a candle!
Who knew candles were so finicky!Tip #1 Candle Memory:Did you know that a candle has a memory? Well in a way it does. If you light a candle and blow it out before it has a chance to melt a puddle of wax that extends all the way to it's container, it tends to burn straight down and leave a lot of unburned wax on the sides of the jar.It's important the first few times you light a candle to let it puddle all the way across to the jar before you blow it out. Sometimes a candle will not puddle all the way to the jar. This is mostly caused by a wick (diameter) that is too small to create a large enough flame to melt the required amount of wax. A high quality candle has a wick that will create about a 1/4" puddle that extends all the way to the jar. If the wick is too large, the candle will burn too quickly and you won't get a good value. If the wick is too small, it will not burn to the edges and you will have wasted wax left in the jar. A general guideline for the amount of time required to melt a puddle to the edges is 1 hour for every inch of the diameter of the candle. Remember this, especially the first time or two that you burn a candle and you will have better results.
Tip #2 Puddle Size:The larger the puddle of melted wax in a candle, the more scent it will give off. A small candle, no matter how fragrant it is, will not give off as much scent as a comparable but larger candle.It is unreasonable to expect a tiny candle to fill an entire living room with its wonderful aroma. So burn smaller candles in small rooms unless you burn multiples at a time.
Tip #3 Trim that Wick:We've all seen it. Just about any candle will tell you to trim the wick to about 1/4" before lighting, but how many of us actually do it? Well it does help. The main thing it does is to cut down on the smoke.Soy candles have drastically cut down on the smoking, but if too much of the wick is burning too fast, the wick itself will smoke. Trimming the wick will also help the candle burn more slowly and puddle all the way to the edges. The little mushroom on the wick will help remind you it's time to trim. Try not to trim the wick too short though, as the flame can drown when the wax melts around the wick.
Tip #4 Watch for Drafts:Have you ever seen two candles lit at the same time and one candle burns much faster than the other one? This is especially noticeable in tapered candles such as the kind often used in weddings.Well it is almost always a result of the fast burning candle being in a draft from the air conditioner. It is amazing how much of a difference it can make! In order to get the best results from any candle, it is very important to keep the candle away from any drafts. If you see the flame flickering, you're probably not going to get the best results. Move the candle to another location.
Tip #5 To Clean a Spill:Try this if you ever spill any wax on the carpet or your clothing. First, let the wax harden completely and remove the larger chunks of wax. Then, place a paper towel or two over the wax and place an iron (on low setting) on the paper towels. This should melt the wax and cause it to draw into the paper towel.Remember, soy and vegetable wax candles are water soluble and much easier to clean off of any surface with soap and warm water. Tip #6 To Extinguish:Instead of simply blowing a candle out, try this. Hold your index finger between your lips and the flame when blowing.This causes the air to flow around your finger, hitting the flame from both sides. This is more effective at putting the flame out and reduces the chance of blowing wax out onto the table.
Tip #7 Keep Out of Sun:The color in most scented candles will fade over time. This is especially true if the candle is subjected to sunlight. Be sure to place a decorative candle out of direct sunlight to help retain its true color.
Tip #8 To Remove a Votive:To remove a votive candle from its holder, try putting the candle in the freezer for a few minutes. This can cause the wax to shrink a little and enable it to pop off of the glass.
Tip #9 Burning Votives:Votive candles are designed to almost completely liquify. Therefore it is important to burn a votive in a votive holder or glass that is close to the same size as the votive. If not, the votive will not burn correctly or completely.
Tip #10 Candle Diet?:Now this is pure speculation, but I've heard that burning sweet smelling candles such as those of sweet foods can actually help curb a person's desire to eat sweets. They say that smelling the sweet aroma satisfies at least part of the pleasure one gets from eating these foods. Who knows... it couldn't hurt to try it though!
You paid good money for your scented candle, follow these candle burning tips to get the most from them. Sit back, relax, and light a candle!
Scented Soy Wax Candles - Information for candle lovers!
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