How to Take Care of Your Candles: Tips for a Longer, Cleaner Burn

At Petal & Flame Candle Co., we take pride in crafting high-end, clean candles that add a touch of elegance to your home. To make the most of your candle experience and ensure a longer, cleaner burn, it’s important to take proper care of your candles. Here are some essential tips to help you enjoy your candles to the fullest.

Trim the Wick

One of the most crucial steps in candle care is trimming the wick before each use. A properly trimmed wick ensures a cleaner burn and prevents excessive soot and smoke.

1. Use a Wick Trimmer: Trim the wick to about 1/4 inch before lighting your candle. You can use a wick trimmer, scissors, or even nail clippers to achieve the right length.

2. Regular Trimming: Make it a habit to trim the wick each time you light the candle. This helps maintain an even flame and prevents the wick from becoming too long and producing smoke.

Allow a Full Melt Pool

To maximize the lifespan of your candle and ensure even burning, it’s important to allow a full melt pool to form during each use.

1. Initial Burn: During the first burn, let the candle burn long enough for the entire surface to melt to the edges of the container. This can take 2-4 hours, depending on the size of the candle.

2. Prevent Tunneling: Allowing a full melt pool prevents tunneling, where the candle burns down the center, leaving unused wax around the sides. Tunneling can shorten the candle's life and affect its performance.

Keep Candles Away from Drafts

Drafts can cause uneven burning and excessive smoke. Place your candles in a location where they are shielded from drafts, such as vents, fans, and open windows.

1. Stable Surface: Ensure your candle is placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface to avoid accidents.

2. Safety First: Always keep burning candles within sight and away from flammable objects and out of reach of children and pets.

Extinguish Properly

Extinguishing your candle correctly is just as important as lighting it properly.

1. Use a Snuffer: Use a candle snuffer to extinguish the flame. This minimizes smoke and helps keep the wick centered.

2. Avoid Blowing: Blowing out a candle can cause hot wax to splatter and produce smoke. If you don't have a snuffer, you can also dip the wick into the melted wax and then straighten it.

Store Candles Correctly

Proper storage can prolong the life of your candles and maintain their fragrance.

1. Cool, Dry Place: Store your candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Excessive heat can cause the wax to soften or melt, while cold temperatures can make it brittle.

2. Cover When Not in Use: When your candle is not in use, cover it with a lid or place it in an airtight container to protect it from dust and preserve its scent.

Burn Time and Rest

Avoid burning your candle for too long in one sitting to ensure safety and longevity.

1. Maximum Burn Time: For best results, avoid burning your candle for more than 4 hours at a time. This helps maintain the integrity of the wax and wick.

2. Let It Rest: Allow the candle to cool and rest for at least 2 hours before relighting. This prevents the wick from shifting and ensures a consistent burn.

By following these simple tips, you can enjoy your Petal & Flame candles to their fullest potential, ensuring a beautiful, clean burn every time. Our high-end, clean candles are crafted with care, and with proper maintenance, they will continue to bring warmth and elegance to your home. Happy burning!