Your Guide to Candle Burning

Trim the Wick and Remove Debris

Always trim the wick to ¼ inch before lighting your candle, and clear away any debris from the wax pool, such as matches or wick trimmings. Extra debris can act as an additional fuel source, which may cause the flame to flare up unexpectedly or create a small fire near the candle. Long or misaligned wicks can lead to uneven burning, dripping, flaring, and excess soot. Regularly trimming the wick can extend the life of your candle—properly trimmed wicks can make your candles last up to 25% longer.

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Make the First Burn Count

The first burn is crucial. As a rule of thumb, burn your candle for one hour per inch of its diameter. For instance, a candle with a 2-inch diameter should burn for at least 2 hours. Insufficient burning time during the first use can lead to a “memory ring.” Once this occurs, the candle will tunnel and burn unevenly for the rest of its lifespan.

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Follow Burn Time Guidelines

Avoid burning candles longer than recommended by the manufacturer. Over burning causes carbon buildup on the wick, creating a “mushroom” effect. This can result in an unstable wick, an oversized flame, and excessive smoke and soot. To prevent this, adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines, typically limiting burn time to four hours. Allow candles to cool for at least two hours before relighting.

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Avoid Drafts and Moving Air

When using a candle, keep it away from fans, air conditioners, open windows, or areas with heavy foot traffic. Air movement can disturb the flame, leading to black soot marks on the container or glass.

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Store Candles Correctly

Store your candles in a cool, dry, and dark place with the lid on. This prevents dust and debris from accumulating while protecting the wax and fragrance. Highly scented candles generally have a lifespan of 6 to 12 months, depending on their fragrance. Use and replace fragranced candles frequently to maintain their appearance and performance.

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Fire Safety

While Burning:

• Never leave a candle unattended.

• Keep candles away from flammable materials.
  Avoid burning candles near anything that can catch fire, such as furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, or decorations.

• Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
  Ensure lit candles are placed where they cannot be knocked over by children, pets, or anyone else.

• Do not touch or move a burning candle.
  Avoid handling candles while they are lit or when the wax is liquefied.

• Stop burning before the candle is fully used.
  Leave a safety margin by discontinuing use when ½ inch of wax remains in a container candle or 2 inches for a pillar candle.

• Space candles apart.
  Keep lit candles at least three inches apart to prevent them from melting each other or creating drafts that cause uneven burning.

• Extinguish candles with unusual flames.
  If a candle’s flame becomes too high or flickers excessively, extinguish it. Allow it to cool, trim the wick, and check for drafts before relighting.

• Avoid using candles as night lights.
  Never burn a candle if there’s a risk of falling asleep.

• Exercise caution during power outages.
  Flashlights and battery-powered lights are safer alternatives during power failures. Never use candles to search in confined spaces like closets or near fuel sources such as lanterns or kerosene heaters.

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When Extinguishing a Candle:

• Use a candle snuffer.
  A snuffer is the safest method to extinguish a candle and prevent hot wax from splattering.

• Avoid using water.
  Water can cause hot wax to splatter and may lead to the glass container breaking.

• Ensure the candle is fully extinguished.
  Make sure the wick ember is no longer glowing before leaving the room.

• Let the candle cool before moving.
  Wait until the candle has completely cooled before handling it.

• Do not use sharp tools to remove wax.
  Avoid using knives or sharp objects to remove wax drippings from glass holders, as this can scratch, weaken, or damage the glass, increasing the risk of breakage during future use.