Candle Tips - 7 Tips for Burning the Perfect Candle (Plus Tips From Readers)

By Chere Deshayes

Date: 07/11/2005 Topic: Consumer Advice

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Tapers, columns, votives, containers, pillars and novelty - chances are you have at least one of these types of candles in your home. Surveys done by candle manufacturers suggest that 7 out of 10 U.S households use candles, 96% of which are purchased by women. The basics for candles are easy, just light them! However, if you want to get the most out of your candles and not watch your money go up in smoke (literally), here are seven tips to follow.

1. KEEP THE WICK TRIMMED

One of the best things that you can do for your candles is to keep the wick trimmed to &frac; of an inch. Wicks that are allowed to get larger than &frac; of an inch tend to burn faster and smoke. If you are noticing black soot accumulating on your container candles, the wick is too long. Nail clippers are a great tool for trimming wicks that cant be reached with scissors.

2. AVOID DRAFTS

Burning candles in drafty areas can cause uneven burning and excessive smoking. Not to mention that your candle will burn faster. If you notice the flame of the candle flickering in any direction other than straight up, there is a draft. Prevent drafts by keeping burning candles away from heating and air-conditioning vents and open windows.

3. REFRIGERATE THEM

Candles that are cold will burn slower. To cool you candle, first wrap in foil or cling wrap to prevent the wick from absorbing any moisture. Pop them in the fridge for about an hour and light! Make sure you dont put them in the freezer instead. They will break!

4. BURN THEM LONG ENOUGH

Have you ever seen a three-wick candle that looked like Mickey Mouse? For pillar candles, make sure you burn them for at least one hour for every inch in diameter. Skip this step and youll end up burning a tunnel through your candle.

5. EXTINGUISHING THE FLAME

To blow out a candle, a candle snuffer works best. If you dont have a candle snuffer readily available, you can blow out the candle by placing an index finger in front of the flame and blowing gently. This causes the air to surround the flame and minimizes splattering of hot wax from the wax pool.

6. SAFETY FIRST

Keep all lit candles out of the reach of children and pets. Never leave a burning candle unattended. And always burn candles in a well-ventilated room.

7. CLEANUP

If wax has spilled on the carpet the best way to remove it is with paper and an iron. Place a paper towel or brown grocery bag over the spill. Place a heated iron over the paper towel. The heat from the iron will cause the wax to melt and be absorbed into the paper towel.

About The Author: Chere Deshayes is the president of Bath Plantation, a company that specializes in fine handcrafted bath and body products. Subscribe to her FREE newsletter at http://www.bathplantation.com/newsletter.html or visit her site at http://www.bathplantation.com.
customerservice@bathplantation.com

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RE: Candle Tips - 7 Tips for Burning the Perfect Candle (Plus Tips From Readers)

Post By Brenda (Guest Post) (10/06/2008)

Darker candles will last longer than lighter ones. Wicks that have wire in them, as opposed to natural wicks will also cause black soot on your container. When lighting a candle, ignite your candle lighter FIRST and THEN bring it towards your candle...igniting your lighter IN the candle container will also cause black residue on the container that you will often NOT be able to remove.

When purchasing candles note the bottom of the candle, if it is completely covered with paper it is a good sign that the candle has only been dipped in scented and colored wax but is NOT colored all the way through. THAT'S a cheap candle and not worth the money because it will almost never burn properly. One of the best brand of candles I have used are from "Party Lite." Look for a representative in your area. If you are unsatisfied they will ALWAYS take good care of you and replace your candles.
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Candle Burning Safety Tip

Post by ThriftyFun (3738) | (07/11/2005)

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When lighting candles in your home, count the number of candles lit and write the number down on a sheet of paper; at the end of the evening check the sheet of paper for the number of candles to extinguish; this will insure extinguishing all the candles lit for the evening. Inform another person in the home of this system in case you are busy and someone else is extinguishing the candles.

By WANJOY
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Longer Lasting Candles

Post by ThriftyFun (3738) | (06/14/2005)

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Since we all love those pretty, fragrant candles and hate to see them burn down, try putting them in the freezer for at least three hours before burning them. See how much longer they will last and you'll have more hours of enjoyment

By Shirley Little
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Candle Tips

Post by ThriftyFun (3738) | (12/21/2004)

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Some will receive beautiful candles this year at Christmas. I hope you will get a Trivet (plate) to set it on and maybe a Snuffer to put the candle out with. Bigger candles come with 5 or 6 wicks. Ouch on the fingers.

If your candle smokes while burning the wick is to large. If the wick is drowning it's too small for your size candle.

If you have (little black ball) The wicks may be upside down. If this happens put out your candle, let it cool and trim the wick(s). The Carbon Balls are what makes your candle burn with black smoke.

Placing your candle on a Trivet will protect your furniture.
And last, keep candles away from open windows, children and curtains.

By south_land
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