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How to Properly Take Care of Your Candle

Did you know that its possible that you haven't been taking care of your candle properly? Yes - it's true. There is a correct and incorrect way to burn your candle.

1. TRIM YOUR WICK

You want to make sure that the wick(s) in your candle is always trimmed down to 1/4". This not only prevents the candle jar from getting too hot and possibly cracking the glass, but it also lengthens the life of the candle. When you trim the wick, it creates a larger flame and more heat than a trimmed wick thus melting the wax faster. 
Another positive to trimming the wick is that it avoids soot. Soot is that black smoke you see sometimes coming off of a lit candle. You may even notice a black film on the inside of the candle jar that is also soot. Nobody wants to see that so the best way to avoid it is to trim those wicks. 

2. BURN ONLY 3-4 HOURS WHEN YOU FIRST LIGHT YOUR CANDLE

Have you ever been in a hurry after you lit a brand-new candle and extinguished it after an hour or two? If so, you may have experienced tunneling the next time you lit that same candle. Tunneling is defined as a candle flame burning straight down, leaving a lot of extra wax on the sides of the jar. Ensuring the candle burns for 3-4 hours on its first burn until the melted wax reaches ALL sides of the jar will avoid tunneling. Tunneling will make it so the wick drowns itself in wax and will make your candle pretty much useless. 

3.  PLACE YOUR LIT CANDLE ON A FLAT, HEAT-RESISTANT SURFACE

By placing your candle on a heat resistant surface, you are reducing the risk of heat damage to any of your furniture in your home. It's also a good idea for in case of an accident and the candle glass jar breaks, it will help with slowing down the spread of the fire. Some good heat resistant surfaces include on the top of your stove, back of a toilet, or anything else that isn't flammable. 

4. DO NOT LEAVE A BURNING CANDLE UNATTENDED

A lit candle should never be left lit unattended. Always burn a candle in the same room that you are in and NEVER leave your home while your candle is burning. 

5. KEEP OUT OF REACH FROM CHILDREN AND PETS

We love them - but children and pets sometimes can cause havoc quickly without even trying. With 4 children and a dog I'm always conscious of where I keep a burning candle at. I always keep it high and out of their way where they can't reach. It's best to always keep a lit candle out of their way. 

6. KEEP LIT CANDLES AWAY FROM DRAFTS 

Drafts are a candle's worst enemy. The wind makes the flame flicker. This causes an uneven burn and tunneling in your candle or even extinguishing the candle. 

7. DO NOT BURN A CANDLE FOR MORE THAN 4 HOURS AT A TIME

This is one where a lot of people tell me that they never knew. By only burning your candle for no more than 4 hours at a time it prevents the wax from becoming too hot and preserving the fragrance throughout the entire candle. It also avoids the glass from becoming too hot and possibly breaking. 

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