Here are 5 Candle Etiquette Tips:
When it comes to lighting your candle, candle basics are easy to remember to enjoy your candle!
TRIM THE WICK
Always, we repeat, always trim your wick to 1/8 - 1/4 inch before lighting any candle.
If the wick gets too tall, the flame will also grow too tall and leave black burn marks on the glass, even with soy candles that do not produce black soot. If the flame physically touches a glass container it can cause the glass to crack.
This is where a wick trimmer comes in really handy: especially with tall, narrow and deep candles (like pillars) and candle containers. If you don’t have a wick trimmer, you can use scissors but it can become challenging after the candle has burned down.
AVOID DRAFTS
Do not put burning candles near heating and air-conditioning vents or open windows. If you notice the flame of the candle flickering in any direction other than straight up, there is a draft.
A calm, centered flame distributes heat equally which leads to a clean and even burn; it eliminates excessive smoking, tunneling and wasted wax around the inside edge of the candle; it enhances the fragrance throw and it extends the lifespan of your candle because it burns slower.
BURN TIME
Before extinguishing, make sure the candle spools entirely across the top. If not, it can cause tunneling and wasted wax around the inside edge of the candle. Burn candles for at least 4 hours. Do not burn more than 4 hours at a time. After 4 hours, the candle gets too hot and begins to evaporate fragrance oil and burn off quicker.
*For pillar candles, make sure to burn them at least one hour for every inch in diameter.
EXTINGUISH IT
When you’re ready to extinguish a candle flame, you’ve got a few options: blow it out, use a candle snuffer or a wick dipper.
Pro tip: when blowing out a candle, place your index finger in front of the flame and blow gently, this minimizes hot wax from splattering and causes the air to surround the flame.
A candle snuffer and wick dipper essentially have the same function: extinguish the flame without the wick smoking. With a candle snuffer, you place the bell of the snuffer over the flame to exhaust its supply of carbon and hydrogen thus extinguishing it. With a wick dipper, you use the tool to push the wick into the hot wax pool then lift it out of the wax for the next burn.
SAFETY FIRST
Last but not least, be safe.
Always burn candles in a well-ventilated space. Do not place lit candles near window treatments and other objects that can catch fire. Keep all lit candles out of the reach of children and pets. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
For added safety and to protect your home furnishings, place candles on coasters or plates and in hurricanes or lanterns