7 Tips for Burning the Perfect Candle
Tapers, columns, votives, containers, pillars and novelty -
chances are you have at least one
of these types of candles in your home. Surveys done by candle
manufacturers suggest that 7 out of 10 U.S households use candles,
96% of which are purchased by women. The basics for candles
are easy, just light them! However, if you want to get the most
out of your candles and not watch your money go up in smoke
(literally), here are seven tips to follow.
1. KEEP THE WICK TRIMMED
One of the best things that you can do for your candles is to
keep the wick trimmed to ¼ of an inch. Wicks that are allowed
to get larger than ¼ of an inch tend to burn faster and
smoke. If you are noticing black soot accumulating
on your container candles, the wick is too long. Nail clippers
are a great tool for trimming wicks that can’t be reached
with scissors.
2. AVOID DRAFTS
Burning candles in drafty areas can cause uneven burning and excessive
smoking. Not to mention that your candle will burn faster. If
you notice the flame of the candle flickering in any direction
other than straight up, there is a draft. Prevent drafts by keeping
burning candles away from heating and air-conditioning vents and
open windows.
3. REFRIGERATE THEM
Candles that are cold will burn slower. To cool you candle, first
wrap in foil or cling wrap to prevent the wick from absorbing
any moisture. Pop them in the fridge for about an hour and light!
Make sure you don’t put them in the freezer instead. They
will break!
4. BURN THEM LONG ENOUGH
Have you ever seen a three-wick candle that looked like Mickey
Mouse? For pillar candles, make sure you burn them for at least
one hour for every inch in diameter. Skip this step and you’l
end up burning a tunnel through your candle.
5. EXTINGUISHING THE FLAME
To blow out a candle, a candle snuffer works best. If you don’t
have a candle snuffer readily available, you can blow out the
candle by placing an index finger in front of the flame and blowing
gently. This causes the air to surround the flame and minimizes
splattering of hot wax from the wax pool.
6. SAFETY FIRST
Keep all lit candles out of the reach of children and pets. Never
leave a burning candle unattended. And always burn candles in
a well-ventilated room.
7. CLEANUP
If wax has spilled on the carpet the best way to remove it is
with paper and an iron. Place a paper towel or brown grocery bag
over the spill. Place a heated iron over the paper towel. The
heat from the iron will cause the wax to melt and be absorbed
into the paper towel.
About the Author
Chere Deshayes is the president of Bath Plantation, a company
that specializes in fine handcrafted bath and body products. Subscribe
to her FREE newsletter at http://www.bathplantation.com/newsletter.html
or visit her site at http://www.bathplantation.com. |
