Candles are great accessories and decor pieces, and canĀ bring great vibes intoĀ your home. However, there are many common mistakes that are easily avoidable, and will help you get the most out of your candle. Through these little tips and tricks, I'll teach you how to burn a candle correctly and to get the maximum amount of burn time for you to enjoy.Ā
The first burn is critical to the candle's life and will determine how the candle burns from then on. Candles have memory, in that if you don't allow the wax to fully melt to the edge of the container, it will only burn in the diameter of what was melted for the entire life of the candle. This is called "tunneling", when you get wax residue stuck on the sides of the container that just won't melt. By allowing your candle to burn until it reaches a full melt pool, it will ensure a clean, smooth burn each time you light it.Ā
To fix your candle if it has already begun tunneling, just wrap a small piece of tin foil around the outside of the container.Ā Make sure theĀ foilĀ hangs over the built-up wax areas, but leave an opening in the center so the wick can still burn properly. After a couple of hours, the wax should melt and even out the surface.
When your candle is reaching the end of its life you should always leave 5mm of wax at the bottom, and you should never try to keep lighting it. This could cause the container to get too hot. Instead, you could pop out the excess wax, and throw it in a wax melter!
Another thing to look out for when burning your candles, is to trim your wick before each burn. This is an essential thing to do, rather than a tip or trick. If the wick is not trimmed in between each burn, the wick will oftentimes do what is called "mushrooming" where the excess carbon build up forms a mushroom shape of cotton. This (even if the wicks are non-toxic) will form carbon soot, and can be released into your environment, which is no bueno. In addition, the carbon mushroom tip, if not trimmed before lighting, can fall into the melt pool during a burn, which isn't so aesthetically pleasing, and makes the candle look dirty.Ā
A lot of places will say to use wick trimmers or scissors to trim the wick, but to be honest, I don't want to walk all the way to the kitchen just to light my candle. Using your fingers, the wick should easily be picked off, and a towel, or dryer sheet removes the black soot from your fingers very easily.Ā
If dust happens to land on the top of your candle, make sure to wipe it clean before you relight it. This will ensure a safe and healthy burn. Remember to never leave a candle unattended, or on and around any flammable objects.Ā
I hope these tips and tricks helped you in your candle burning experience, by now you should be a professional candle burner! Here at Lunar Wick Candle Co., burning a candle doesn't have to be just for the scent, we strive for you to connect and receive good energy through our candles. Whatever you may need a little extra of in life, there is a Lunar Wick Candle for it. Maybe a little extra self-love while you do your self care routine? Maybe you need a little extra cash to get your through the week? We've got you sis.Ā
xo,
Sophie
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