Lighting a scented candle is an act of self-care in itself. It allows us a chance to be present and take stock of our surroundings, even if just for a few moments. It can provide atmosphere, ambiance and a wonderful scent, that you will have chosen purposefully. It always makes the room that little bit better.
Image by @lalawiso
Having spent your hard-earned cash on one of these instant mood-enhancers, it makes sense to eke as much joy as you can from it and for that, you need to take care of it. It’s not as much work as those other harbingers of happiness, the houseplant and the pet, so let’s be thankful for that. Here’s how:
- Trim the wick. You can buy specially purposed wick-trimmers (I have a pair and have no regrets in purchasing this incredibly niche tool) or just use a pair of scissors. A short wick will make your candle last longer and burn more effectively. It also stops the candle from producing sooty smoke when you first light it.
- Burn the candle for at least two hours on its first burn. This ensures that the wax burns evenly and doesn’t tunnel (ultimately leading to wasted wax).
- Use a snuffer to extinguish the flame. This makes an excellent gift for any candle enthusiasts in your life, by the way. Not only is it safer to put out candles this way, but it also stops the smoke.
- Remove any sooty residue in the wax with a damp paper towel to keep your wax looking fresh and clean.
- Burn your candle away from draughts or an open window. A flickering flame will create soot on the inside glass, smoke and lead to an uneven burn.
- Finally, when not in use, cover it with the lid provided. This will keep the scent potent and make sure the wax doesn’t get dusty.
Image by @noreenwasti
Now that you are officially a graduate of the School of Candle Care, go forth and share the knowledge so that everyone else can give their candles long and happy lives.
