Candle Care: Tips for a Longer-Lasting, Safer, and More Fragrant Experience
Introduction
Welcome to the Dundee Candle Works blog, where we provide the tips to making the most of your handcrafted coconut wax candles! Whether you're a candle enthusiast or just starting your journey into the world of candles, proper candle care is essential for maximising their lifespan, ensuring safety, and enjoying their carefully selected fragrances to the fullest. In this guide, we'll walk you through the do's and don'ts of candle care, so you can get the very best from your candles.
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Choosing the Right Candle
Before delving into candle care, let's start by selecting the perfect candle for your needs. At Dundee Candle Works, we offer a range of luxury coconut wax candles, each with its unique scent profile and ambiance. When choosing a candle, consider factors like fragrance preference, burn time, and the size of the room where it will be used.
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Trim Your Wick
Proper wick maintenance is vital for a cleaner, longer, and safer burn. Before lighting your candle, always trim the wick (we use cotton wicks) to approximately 1/4 inch (0.6 cm). This prevents excessive soot and mushrooming, ensuring a steady flame and minimising the risk of fires.
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First Burn Matters
During the initial burn, allow your candle to form a full melt pool across the entire surface. This ensures that the candle burns evenly throughout its lifespan and prevents tunnelling, where the wax burns down the centre, leaving wax buildup on the sides.
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Keep it Clean
Maintaining a clean candle is key to enhancing its appearance and fragrance performance. After extinguishing the flame, ensure the wick is centred and upright. Remove any debris, such as wick trimmings, from the melted wax to prevent them from igniting.
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Ideal Burning Time
To prevent overheating and prolong your candle's life, avoid burning it for more than 4 hours at a time. Give the candle time to cool down before relighting. Regularly burning a candle for extended periods can cause it to lose its fragrance and affect its overall performance.
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Safeguard Your Candle
Always place your candle on a heat-resistant surface away from flammable materials, drafts, and pets. A candle holder or plate is a wise investment to protect your furniture from potential wax spills. Avoid placing candles in high-traffic areas to prevent accidental knocks.
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Extinguish with Care
When it's time to extinguish your candle, use a candle snuffer or gently blow it out. Avoid blowing too hard, as this can cause hot wax to splatter. Extinguishing the candle properly helps maintain its scent and shape.
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Store with Caution
Proper storage can extend the life and fragrance of your candles. Keep them in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight, as exposure to sunlight can fade colours and diminish the scent. If buying for a gift our jute gift bag packaging will help maintain their quality when storing for a while.