Candle Care and Tips

Never Leave Candles Unattended!
NEVER leave burning candles unattended! It's probably the most popular candle safety tip around, but I can't stress enough how important this is! Never, ever leave a candle burning when you go to bed or leave your home. Unattended candles are a major fire hazard.

Keep Burning Candles Away From Drafts
The slightest draft can cause candles to burn excessively fast, drip, and even fall over creating a mess or a fire hazard! Drafts can be created from open windows, ceiling fans, and even high-traffic areas of your home.

Trimming Wicks
You should trim the wicks of all your candles to 1/4 inch except for 4x9 pillars and larger. This helps cut down on carbon balls forming and reduces smoke when snuffing your candles. It also keeps the flame at the right size so that the candle burns at the proper rate. If the flame is too high, the wax will not burn evenly and the candle may begin to smoke. If the wick is too long, carbon may build and clog the wick. Instead of pulling out a ruler, an easy way to do this is by placing your index and middle finger on top of the candle with the wick inbetween them. Then trim the wick with a pair of scissors. I trim all my wicks as soon as I get my candles, then I don't have to worry about it when it's time to burn them. Don't trim tealights, floaters, 4x9 or larger pillars, and 3-wicks. (Extra tip: use toenail clippers to trim wicks in jars in which scissors won't fit.)

Pillar Candle Burn Times
To properly burn pillar candles, burn them at LEAST 1 hour for each inch of their diameter at each lighting. Examples: 2"x6" pillars should be burned at least 2 hours at each lighting, 3"x5", 3"x7" and 3"x9" pillars should be burned for at least 3 hours at each lighting, 4"x9" pillars should be burned for at least 4 hours at each lighting, and 3-wicks (6"x8") should be burned for at least 6 hours at each lighting. The reason for this is, it takes that long for the entire top of each type of pillar candle to completely melt. Burning the pillars for the proper minimum time assures that the candle burns evenly and the top stays flat.

Always Burn Candles on a Heat Resistant Surface.
Candle holders may become hot and damage furniture. A good heat resistant surface can be made from a ceramic tile (cover the bottom with felt to protect your furniture).

Snuffing
Don't blow your candles out "snuff" them with a snuffer! Snuffing candles prevents wax from spraying and keeps the wick centered. If wicks get off-center, the flame can get too close to the holder and cause breakage.

Tealights: Metal Cup vs. Clear Cup
Use metal cup tealights in any type of enclosed holder, such as tealight houses, tealight lamps, etc. Use clear cup tealights in open holders. Why? Clear cup tealights look nicer than metal cup tealights in an open holder. It gets very hot inside an enclosed holder and clear cup tealights could melt in an enclosed holder.

When to Throw Away Candles
Discontinue use of a container candle when 1/4-inch of unmelted wax remains. This will prevent possible heat damage to the counter/surface and prevent glass containers from cracking or breaking. Extinguish taper and pillar candles when they get down to within one to two inches of their holders or decorations.

Combustible Materials
Never use candles near combustible/flamable materials such as curtains, drapes, bedding, and/or cabinets. NEVER spray an aerosol can near an open flame.

Using Candles in Arrangements
When using candles in arrangements, make sure the flame is away from the decorative base (evergreens, ribbons, etc.). Extinguish and remove candles immediately once they have burned down to within one inch of the decoration.

Dinner Candles Should Always Be Unscented
Why? When dining by candlelight, you don't want any other scents interfering with the aroma of the food you're eating.

Floating Candles
Floating candles can provide both a formal and informal setting for either a dinner party or a back yard picnic. Floating candles in a clear bowl creates an extra special lighting effect. Using distilled water eliminates mineral buildup on the side of crystal or glass, preserving its unique presentation of floating candles.

Candle Fading
Candles will fade if left in the light for an extended period of time. Never put candles in a window or directly expose to bright outdoor light or indoor spotlights.

Rejuvenating Candles
To rejuvenate the shine and eliminate scratches on your votive or pillar candles, use an old pair of nylons to lightly rub the surface. They'll look new in no time, and this will also rejuvenate the scent as well.

No More Fogged Up Bathroom Mirrors
Burn a candle in the bathroom while you shower and surprisingly, your bathroom mirrors will not fog up. This is great for anyone without a bathroom vent.

Citronella Candles
When using citronella candles outdoors to keep bugs away, be sure to place the holders/candles away from you, outside of the area you are sitting. Contrary to the popular belief that citronella repels bugs, the scent actually attracts bugs. You don't want to have the candles/holders close to you; you want them away from you so the bugs stay away. Remember, citronella candles should be used outdoors only.

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