1. Initial Preparation

• Trim the Wick: Before lighting your candle, trim the wick to 1/4 inch to reduce soot and prevent excessive flickering, ensuring a controlled flame. If the flame starts flickering, it may cause dripping. Simply extinguish the flame, let the wax cool, and trim the wick to restore optimal burning.

• Choose the Right Candle Size: Make sure the candle size is suitable for the container or holder and the surrounding environment, allowing for proper ventilation and heat dispersion to ensure safe and efficient burning.

2. Burning Techniques

• First Burn Rule: Allow the candle to burn long enough for the wax to melt evenly to the edges of the container, typically about 1 hour per inch of diameter. This helps prevent tunneling and ensures a more even burn.

• Avoid Drafts: Keep candles away from open windows, fans, or air conditioning vents, as drafts can cause uneven burning and increase soot production.

3. Maintenance during Burning

• Monitor the Burn Time: To prevent overheating and preserve the candle's integrity, it's best not to burn candles for more than 4 hours at a time.

• Maintain the Flame: Under normal conditions, our candles are nearly dripless. However, they can be sensitive to air movement and may flicker or smoke when exposed to drafts, which could lead to drips. If this happens, extinguish the candle, move it away from the draft, and relight it. Drafts can be caused by forced air furnaces, ceiling fans, or quick movements around the candle.

  Periodically trim the wick if:

  • The flame flickers or smokes

  • The flame grows too large and loses its teardrop shape

  • A carbon cap forms

  • The wax pool nears the edge of the candle

  Always extinguish the candle before trimming the wick for safety.

• Extinguishing the Flame: To extinguish pillar candles or those with a larger diameter, dip the wick into the melted wax and then straighten it. This ensures the wick is centered for an even burn, preventing smoking and making relighting easier. A wick dipper is the ideal tool, but you can also use an unbent paperclip or similar object.

  For candlesticks, votives, and tealights, use a smokeless wick snuffer to extinguish the flame. If tealights are put out before they are half-consumed, they may not burn completely when relit.

4. Post-Burning Care

• Store Wisely: When not in use, store candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. This prevents melting and fading of colors and scents.

• Clean the Container/Candle Holder: To remove beeswax from a container or candle holder, freeze it for a few hours, then gently tap the metal tab at the bottom with an old butter knife. The wax should pop out easily. Afterward, wash the holder with warm, soapy water.

• Removing Beeswax from Fabric: If beeswax spills on fabric, place the item in the freezer until the wax hardens, then chip it off. Alternatively, cover both sides of the fabric with paper towels and press a warm iron over the spill. Repeat this process until the wax is fully absorbed.

5. Safety Tips

• Never Leave Unattended: Always monitor a burning candle and never leave it unattended, especially in rooms with children or pets, to ensure safety.

• Use Candle Holders: Always place candles on stable, heat-resistant surfaces. Using proper candle holders helps prevent tipping and reduces the risk of fire hazards.

• Keep it Clean: Never leave matches or trimmed wick pieces in the candle. These debris can act as an extra wick, causing the candle to burn too hot. A flame near the edge may also cause the wax to spill over and run down the sides, creating a mess.

Conclusion

By following these essential tips and tricks, you'll master candle care, improving your burning experience while ensuring safety and longevity. This allows you to enjoy the warm, inviting glow of Carven Beeswax Candles to the fullest.