It’s important to burn candles safely. Always within sight, away from children or pets, or near anything that can catch fire (drapes and linens). We also recommend putting your candle on a level, heat-resistant surface. So, for extra precaution, use that coaster for your favorite drink and your favorite candle!
Besides the basics, believe it or not, there is a correct way to burn a candle. Here are some best practices on how to burn your candles cleanly and safely!
1. Trim it.
Always, always, always trim the wick to ¼” before each burn to allow for a clean, even burn. This will also maximize the longevity of the candle. Your candle can burn up to 20% longer if you trim your wick regularly!
2. Let it melt.
Candles have a burn memory, so be sure to burn your candle all the way to the edge of the vessel every time you burn it. This will make sure your candle burns evenly each time.
3. Clear the air.
Avoid vents, fans or drafts. These air currents will disturb the flame and may cause candles to burn unevenly or create soot.
4. Pace yourself.
Do not burn your candle for more than four hours at a time. Burning it longer may cause containers to overheat or the wax pool to get too deep.
5. Stay centered.
Keep wick centered and do not allow wick trimmings, debris, or anything else to fall into the candle. If wicks get off centered, it is often because the melt pool is too deep (larger than ½”) due to burning the candle for an extended period of time (4 hours or less is industry standard).
6. Know when it's over.
All good things must come to an end. Discontinue use when ½ inch of unmelted wax remains to prevent containers from overheating. Container temperatures may rise when the heat gets “trapped” in the empty container when there is no wax left to absorb the excess heat. This can happen especially if burning for an extended period of time. Do not extinguish with water.