Welcome to our ultimate guide on candle care! Taking proper care of your candles can significantly enhance their longevity and performance. In this guide, we'll walk you through essential candle care tips so you can enjoy your Light and Stone candles even more. Follow these candle care tips for a cleaner, safer, and longer burn.
Essential Candle Care Tips:
1. Remove the Crystal and Dust Cover
Simply lift off your candle's crystal without having to dig it out, and recycle the paper dust cover. Do not burn the candle with crystal, as this can affect the burn quality. Place the crystal next to the candle or in the same room, or hold onto your crystal if you like; together, they have a shared intention and help raise the vibration in the room.
2. First Burn - Long Burn
For the first initial burn, allow the candle to burn until the melt pool reaches the edges of the container and the entire surface is evenly melted across. Our 8oz crystal candles take around 3-4 hours, and the tin candles take around 1-2 hours to achieve a full melt pool. Doing this will avoid "tunneling" - when only the center of the candle melts, leaving wax around the edges and reducing the candle's burn time.
3. Trim the Wick
One of the other crucial steps in candle care is keeping the wick trimmed. A longer wick can lead to a large flickering flame, causing the candle to burn faster and unevenly or even causing excess soot and smoke. Use a wick trimmer or scissors, or break the burnt curled end off before you relight. This allows for an even and cleaner burn.
4. Don't Over Burn The Candle
Going over the recommended burn time will speed up the burn as the entire vessel heats up, causing the whole candle to soften and burn at a quicker rate. The Light and Stone 8oz glass candles should be burned for up to 4 hours, and the tin candles for up to 2 hours at a time. Overburning can also cause the wick to mushroom and produce excess soot. If you see soot around your glass, you will be burning for too long!
5. Flat Surface and Avoid Drafts
Burn candles in a draft-free environment to ensure an even burn. Airflow from windows, fans, or air vents can cause the flame to flicker, leading to uneven burning and potential safety hazards. Burn candle on a flat surface and keep away from pets and children.
6. Keep Clean And Store Properly
Prevent debris like wick trimmings or matches from falling into the wax pool. Foreign materials can affect the burn quality and may pose a fire risk. Store your candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Prolonged exposure to heat and light can cause discoloration and affect the fragrance.
7. Use a Candle Snuffer
Extinguish candles with a snuffer instead of blowing them out. After filling your room with a great scent, you don't want to ruin it with smoldering smoke, plus it minimizes the risk of hot wax splattering.
Common Candle Care Mistakes to Avoid
- Burning too short: Not allowing the wax to melt completely across the surface during the first burn can cause tunneling.
- Burning too long: Over-burning can lead to wick mushrooming and uneven burns and excess soot.
- Ignoring the wick: A neglected wick can cause large flames, excessive soot, and uneven burns.
Candle care is essential for maintaining the quality and safety of your candles. Proper care not only extends the life of your candles but also ensures a cleaner and more even burn. Here are the key benefits of following our candle care instructions:
- Extended Burn Time: Proper care can increase the total burn time.
- Safety: Avoiding common mistakes reduces the risk of accidents and reduces dancing flames and excess smoke.
- Enhanced Scent Throw: Well-maintained candles release fragrance more effectively.