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 is definitely on my mind. It's the reason I tested my candles for 6 months before even launching my business and why I continually test my candles.
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 for safety. 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 necessarily the candle care advice you find on warning labels. Let's dive in!
1) If you have a 210 gram candle, avoid burning your candle for more than 3-4 hours at a time. For a 140 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 goes the hotter it becomes, so any wax left around the edge of your candle should end up melting once your candle is about halfway. Being that your candle gets hotter as it gets closer to the bottom, the original "ok" hours for burning will be less and you will need to just keep an eye on it. Basic rule for both candle safety and beauty, you don't want to leave your candle lit for so long that you risk a too hot jar with a big pool of hot melty wax... it's 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 or just throw away the match.
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, nail trimmers or even just your fingers! Whatever you use, trim those wicks.
4) Don't put out your candle flame with water. This, like throwing your old matches into the candle, can be a major fire hazard. Basic thing. Wax and water don't mix and putting water on a hot wax pool can actually create an explosion. 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 to put out the flame. I only add this to the list because I know we love a beautiful candle by the bathtub. Use it there, but don't use your bath water for more than just your soak.
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 and teacher, 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