Never have I ever thought about caring for a candle. I can 100% admit that I've burned candles horribly in my lifetime. So much so that I probably should have had a fire situation. But all of that has changed since becoming a candle maker.
When thinking of candles, I totally get that most people just want something that looks pretty and smells amazing. But now that I'm both a candle consumer and maker, safety has definitely become something on my mind. It's the reason I tested my candles for 6 months before even launching my business and why it is so important to me that I continue to find the "just right" combination of high quality candle ingredients.
When I think about candle safety, my mind drifts to that hilarious (not so hilarious) scene from You, Me, and Dupree, when Dupree lights so many candles in the house that he catches the house on fire. Maybe not completely realistic. The reality is that candles are often used in situations where we just aren't really thinking about the candle and so it burns... and burns... and burns.
For this reason, let's talk about candle care. There are so many aspects to candle care that this post could actually go on forevermore. So here, I want to discuss the "friend advice" candle care and not the candle care advice you find on the warning label of your candle. Let's dive in!
1) If you have a 220 gram candle, avoid burning the candle for more than 3-4 hours at a time. For a 150 gram candle think more like 2-3 hours. If you are lighting your candle for the first time, you actually should not get a full melt pool. The farther down your candle is the hotter it will become, so once your candle is near the bottom of the jar, those time parameters become less. Basic rule, you don't want to leave your candle lit for so long that you risk a too hot jar with a super duper big pool of hot melty wax... it's just no longer sexy and could be dangerous. Blow it out and let it rest. :) On the flip side, don't just burn your candle for 20 minutes. It might make it harder to get all the wax melted down in future burns. That's just wasted beauty.
2) Don't light your candle with a match and then throw the match into the candle. Does this sound wierd to you? Ok, sorry, but I've actually done this!! And I'm only adding this to the list because since being a candle maker I've seen a post where someone did this and it was the potential cause of their candle catching on fire. I'm not sure if this was the cause of the fire, but all I know is that I will never do this again. It's not pretty anyways. Safest bet is to use a candle lighter.
3) Trim your wick between every burn. Yes, just like David Beckham. Trimming the wick to 0.6 cm. or 1/4 in. helps keep your flame under control and will give your candle a cleaner burn. It will help your candle burn for longer and ultimately keeps your candle looking prettier. I use my very favourite Wickman wick trimmer (that I also sell here on my online store), but you can also use scissors and even nail trimmers! Just trim those wicks.
4) Don't let your candles get wet. This, like throwing your old matches into the candle, can be a major fire hazard. Basic thing. Wax and water don't mix. I am a super stickler about any water being near my work station as I make candles... and water should likewise not go onto a candle after it's made as well. I only add this to the list because I know we love a beautiful candle by the bathtub. Use it there, but just try to not get the candle wet.
5) Please, please, please don't keep a burning candle or even a non-burning candle within the reach of a child or pet. This bit of advice is on candle warning labels, and hopefully is a big no-brainer, but as a mama, it made the "friend advice" list too.
With all of this said... Let's burn candles! Keeping in mind that even a tidbit of candle safety and candle love could save yourself a lot of grief, which ultimately increases your happiness. And that is what Honeywood is all about.
Love,
Amy