Candle Care Tips & Safety
Things are about to get lit.
To set you up for ultimate burning success, we have a few tips. You could just unwrap it, take off the lid and light it (pretty straightforward right?) but that’s not how we recommend doing things. Follow these easy steps to help your nice new candle burn cleaner and longer—so you can maximize your enjoyment every time you’re Home Again.
- First thing’s first: read the warning label. Yeah, the one you were about to throw away without glancing at. That information isn’t just there to protect us (the candlemakers) it’s there to protect you and your family. When you light a candle, you’re starting a fire in your home. And while there is a certain amount of danger that comes with any flame, the reward is worth it if you’re prepared to light things right. So read the label.
- When you first light your candle, let it burn until wax melts across the entire surface, touching the sides of the vessel. This will prevent tunneling and allow for an even burn during the duration of your candle’s life (which depends on the size of your candle, of course).
- Keep that wick trimmed. Before each use, we recommend cutting your wick to 1⁄4 inch. This will help your candle burn evenly with a steady flame.
- See black soot in your jar? Extinguish your candle, wait for it to cool (please don’t skip this part!) and wipe the inside of the jar with a clean, damp cloth. Trim your wick and you’re ready to relight.
- Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, matches and debris at all times. Letting things live in your wax pool will stop your candle from burning properly and make your gorgeous new candle look dirty.
- If your candle smokes, flickers, or the flame becomes too high, put it out. These are indications that the candle is not burning properly, and the flame is not under control. Wait for your candle to cool (seriously), trim the wick and relight.
- Did you know it’s possible to have too much air hitting your candle? Drafts can decrease the burn time, cause your candle to burn unevenly, increase the amount of smoke and—worst of all—decrease how much fragrance you can smell. If you want to maximize your scent throw (#technicalterm) get rid of those drafts! For optimal fragrance, keep doors and windows closed and light your candle 30 minutes before you plan on entering the room. When you walk in, you’ll be welcomed by your favorite scent. (Hot tip: do this when preparing the guest room before your in-laws arrive.)
Okay, we get it. This seems like a lot for a candle, but we want to make sure that when you’re Home Again you’re able to relax and enjoy what’s most important to you—without worrying about scent throw and wick lengths. Now, congrats on your new candle, we promise you’re going to love it.