Candles are a great way to inject some extra relaxation and ambiance into your life. But if you've ever had a candle melt down on you, or not give off as much fragrance as you'd like, you know that there's definitely a right way and a wrong way to burn them! Follow these five tips and you'll be a candle burning pro in no time.
1. Trim the wick before each use
This might seem like a no-brainer, but it's actually really important! When you let the wick get too long, it can start to mushroom at the top, which then leads to black soot building up on the glass jar. Not only is this unsightly, but it can also affect how well your candle burns and how much fragrance it gives off. So make sure to trim that wick before each lighting!
2. Burn for 2-3 hours at a time
You may be tempted to leave your candle burning all day long, but trust us, it's better to stick to shorter burn sessions. That way, the wax melts evenly across the entire surface of the candle, preventing those pesky tunnelling problems. Plus, who doesn't love coming home to a freshly lit candle after a long day?
3. Keep the flame away from drafts
Drafts can cause all sorts of problems for candles, from making them burn faster than normal to making them smoke. So if you're looking for even, drip-free burning, make sure to keep your candle away from any vents or open windows.
4. Don't touch hot wax
We know it's tempting to want to play with the melted wax (especially when it smells so good!), but resist the urge! Hot wax can actually cause first-degree burns, so it's best just to admire from afar.
5. Let it cool completely before relighting
Last but not least, always make sure to let your candle cool completely before relighting. Otherwise, you run the risk of cracking the glass jar or getting hot wax splattered on you. Not fun!
Bonus Tip!
Remember the first time you burn your candle, wait at least 3-4 hours or until the entire top layer of wax is melted to set the memory of your candle. Melting the wax pool close enough to the edge of your candle helps prevent tunneling. The size of the wax pool during the first burn determines the life of the candle; subsequent burns won't melt the wax beyond the initial wax pool!
That's it! With these five (plus one) tips in mind, you should be well on your way to becoming a candle burning pro. Just remember to trim the wick before each use, burn for 2-3 hours at a time, remember initial burn of full wax pool, keep the flame away from drafts, don't touch hot wax, and let it cool completely before relighting. Happy candles!