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Candle Care

Top tips for getting the most out of your candle

1. Trimming the wick

This is one of the most important tips. As your candle burns and the wick goes further down your container, you may see what is referred to as ‘mushrooming’; this is common and occurs when there is a carbon build up on the tip of the wick. To prevent excess soot and larger flames, ensure you trim your wick to approximately 5mm and remove the mushroom before every burn. By doing this, you will also increase the burn time of your candles and a more stable flame.

2. Burn for a minimum of 1.5 hours to create a full melt pool

Burning for a small amount of time can cause what is referred to as ‘tunnelling’. Tunnelling as the name implies, causes a tunnel in the wax, which while it doesn’t sound like a big issue, can affect the longevity of your candle, affect the burn and cause mushrooming. When you light your candle, ensure the wax is melted right to the edges to prevent tunnelling.

3. Place your candle on an even surface, away from drafts and flammable objects

Drafts can create an unstable flame, so avoid placing near an open window or a fan. Your candle must be placed on an even surface to allow for an even melt pool and prevent a fire hazard in your space.

4. Don’t burn for over 4 hours

We know that lit candles create a peaceful atmosphere but fight the urge to have it burning for longer than 4 hours, as the container can overheat. Having it burn for over 4 hours can also reduce the overall burn time and create soot, affecting your candle’s longevity.

5. Keep an eye on the flame

If you think the flame is flickering too much, creating a lot of smoke or becoming too high, extinguish the flame, give it time to cool down, and trim the wick before lighting again. This is natural but can be controlled with trimming the wick to approximately 5mm after every burn.

6. Is your candle bumpy in appearance after the candle cools down?

Don’t worry, this is completely natural, especially when there are extreme environmental changes or moisture in the air. Your candle will still burn perfectly when you next light it. Smoothness usually comes with using other waxes such as paraffin, however we advise on avoiding paraffin wax candles as they release harmful chemicals into the air, are not sustainable or environmentally friendly. 

Never leave a burning candle unattended. Coconut wax candles are a sustainable choice. View more coconut wax blend candles from Note to Self.