Scented candles are great for creating a romantic and cozy atmosphere, regulating mood, and purifying the air. Proper usage and preservation will enhance your experience and extend your candle’s lifespan.
Part 1: Correct Usage of Scented Candles
Follow these steps to ensure your candle burns evenly, releases fragrance fully, and safely.
1. The First Burn is Crucial (“Achieving a Full Melt Pool”)
- Key: During the first burn, ensure it lasts for at least 2-3 hours, or until the entire top layer of wax has melted into a flat, liquid pool.
- Reason: Candles have a “burn memory.” If the first burn is too short, the wax won’t melt completely. Subsequent burns will be confined to this area, creating a tunnel down the center (“tunneling”) and leaving a thick wall of unused wax around the edge, which wastes wax and reduces fragrance throw.
2. Trim the Wick Before Each Use
- Standard: Trim the wick to about 1/4 inch (5mm) before lighting each time.
- Reason:
- A long wick can cause a too-large flame, soot, rapid burning, and blackening of the jar.
- A too-short wick might lead to a weak flame that cannot melt the wax pool properly.
- Tool: Using special wick trimmers is best as they catch the trimmings.
3. Place on a Safe, Suitable Surface
- Place the candle on a heat-resistant, non-flammable, stable surface, away from children and pets.
- Keep away from drafts (like vents, doors, windows) to prevent the flame from flickering, which causes soot and uneven burning.
4. Ensure a Safe Burning Environment
- Never leave unattended: Never burn a candle while sleeping or away from home.
- Keep away from flammables: Ensure no flammable materials (curtains, books, papers) are near the candle.
- Provide space: If burning multiple candles, keep them at least 4 inches (10 cm) apart.
5. Control Burn Time
- It’s recommended not to burn for more than 4 hours at a time.
- Reason: Beyond 4 hours, the wax can overheat, potentially degrading the wax and fragrance oil, and the scent may become less pure. The wick may also become overly carbonated, affecting future burns.
6. Extinguish the Candle Properly
- Recommended: Use a candle snuffer or lid (if provided). This is the best method to avoid smoke and soot particles.
- Avoid: Blowing it out. This produces significant smoke and unpleasant odors, ruining the fragrance experience and can blow carbon bits into the wax.
- If you must blow it out, move it to a ventilated area first first.
- After extinguishing, ensure the wick is centered upright in the melted wax for the next burn. Do not move the candle until the wax has completely solidified.
Part 2: Preserving Scented Candles
Proper storage maintains the candle’s fragrance purity and prevents deterioration or damage.
1. Storage Environment
- Avoid light: UV light can fade the candle’s color and break down the fragrance oils, causing the scent to weaken or degrade. Store in a cool, dark place like a drawer or cupboard.
- Cool: Avoid heat and direct sunlight. High temperatures can soften, warp, or even melt the candle.
- Dry: Avoid humid environments to prevent “frosting” (whispy crystals) on the wax or damage to the label.
- Sealed: If you have the original box, store the candle in it. If not, use a sealable bag or a dedicated candle lid/topper to keep out air and dust.
2. Avoid Mixing Scents
- Do not store strongly different scented candles closely together without covers, as their fragrances can mix and cross-contaminate.
3. Long-Term Storage
- If you won’t use a candle for a long time, clean it if necessary, and store it sealed according to the conditions above.
Part 3: Common Issues & Tips
- Soot on the jar wall?
- Prevent it by keeping the wick trimmed and avoiding drafts.
- If it occurs, let the candle cool completely, then wipe gently with a paper towel moistened with rubbing alcohol or a mild cleaner.
- How to clean the empty jar?
- Freezer method: Place the jar in the freezer for a few hours. The wax will contract and become brittle, allowing you to easily pop it out with a knife.
- Hot water method: Carefully pour hot water into the jar (be cautious as extreme temperature changes might crack glass). The leftover wax will melt and float. Let it cool, then you can remove the wax block.
- Why is the flame small, flickering, or producing black smoke?
- Wick too long: Extinguish the candle, trim the wick, and relight.
- Draft: Move to a draft-free location.
- Debris on wick: Trim off the carbonized bits when trimming.
- How to make the scent stronger?
- Let the candle sit at room temperature for a while before burning to “wake” the scent.
- Keep the door closed while burning to allow the fragrance to build up in the room.
- Consider using a candle warmer (lum lamp). It melts the wax using a bulb’s heat (no flame), releasing the fragrance safely without combustion, maximizing scent throw and preserving the candle.
By following these methods, you can safely and effectively enjoy the wonderful experience brought by scented candles and make your favorite candles last longer.
Zhongya candle factory
whatsapp: +86//187//3296//0113
wechat: +86//156//9035//5727
Email: Betty@kangdecandle.com
Post time: Aug-25-2025