Candles can be a lovely addition to any room. I have a confession, I am or now can say was a candle hoarder. Much like when I was little I would collect stickers and never use them. Then when I moved out of home I had a box of stickers that I never used and they went to waste (well I donated them, so not really waste), but moral of the story is I should of used and enjoyed them.
Over the years I have collected candles, never burning them because they look so pretty. However after receiving a few for Christmas I realised I had quite the collection. Over the past few months I have started burning my candles, I especially love having them flicker when watching TV at night. It was one of those moments when I realised how relaxing and peaceful they are that I wish I had just used them all sooner.
I have learnt over this time there are a few tips to burn candles safely and keeping the candle in good condition.
- When burning a candle for the first time it is really important to burn for 1 hour for every inch in diameter, this will melt to the top layer of wax. If you don’t allow the entire top layer to melt the candle will create a memory ring. Once a candle has created a memory ring it will continue to only burn within this ring and not use the wax on the outside.
- Never burn a candle for more than three hours at a time. Always make sure you let the candle cool and trim the wick before you reignite
- Don’t burn candles completely, always leave 2cm at the base
- Always trim the wick to 6mm, this helps to eliminate dripping and smoking
- Another way to reduce dripping is to burn the candle for 1hour for every 2.5cm of its diameter
- To keep smooth candles looking clean and new, use a nylon stocking to gently rub the candle
- Always store your candles in cool, dry places away from direct sunlight to stop them cracking, fading or melting
I really enjoy burning some candles in the evening, it’s a great way to relax and enjoy their gorgeous scents.
Do you have a favourite candle or scent?
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24 comments
I love coconut scents. Coconut & lime is lovely. I quite like apple/pear smells too. I tend to avoid any musky or floral ones
Leanne, i agree i am not big on musky smells either. I love mango and papaya!
I love Yankee Candles and bath and body works. I love peppermint scented. Candles and always stock up in Jan when its on afte
r Christmas clearance
Oh yes peppermint, so refreshing! I have peppermint shower cream atm. Its so nice!
Ooh the peppermint shower cream smells delicious! It smells like something you could eat! LOL
Yes great idea to stock up then, Melissa. Ooh i don’t think in have smelt a peppermint scented candle burning.
Oh I l-o-v-e candles!… strangely enough my faves are a range at Spotlight called ‘Emporium’… there are a number of scents, but my fave is White Tea… the Fresh Cotton scent is lovely too.
I found this site only recently, & have really been enjoying the tips & daily tasks – doing a small thing each day makes such a difference! Thank you
Anthea, i will have to check out the range at Spotlight. I also like the Fresh Cotton / Linen scents.
Candles with fresh citrus scents are a must when I’m working and then anything with vanilla or coconut are my favourites to relax to.
Thanks for the great tips on burning them.
Melissa i totally agree with you! Love all of those scents too.:)
I love candles too and have recently discovered a range from Lemon Canary which have divine scents and the candles come in beautiful vintage jars.
Ooh Alisha, i will have to check these out. I like the sound of the vintage jars!
I love candles too and the best one I know of are
the soy candles from Bali gift and soy candles.
There is a shop on gallery walk on Mt tambourine.
They are all natural, have a great scent and last
ages in really lovely jars.
They have great melts too.
Ooh i may have to take a drive up to Mt Tambourine and check them out. They sound lovely, Michelle.
My favourite candles are Partylite candles- the wax doesn’t burn when you touch it and the scents are AMAZING! And they are all natural ingredients! I have too many favourite scents to choose just one, it depends on my mood and the time if year!
They sound great, Amanda!
Thanks Katrina, I’ve just found your page and loving the tips and challenges. Just got onto the candles and my kids really love the ‘monkey farts’ candles. It’s banana and vanilla.
Hi Janene, Welcome!.:) Yes i have heard of the “Monkey Farts” candles, they do have a really nice scent.
How funny lol, never heard of those
I loved your article, great tips for everyone. I also use to be a hoarder but now that I make my own not so much. I also love the ambiance a candle creates. I will share your link on my page as I think my customers would love your advice.
Ooh Thank you so much, Natasha. Thats’s really kind of you.:) Ooh i like the sound of making your own candles!
Ladies you all have great insight, I like the lemony/limes and vanilla fragrances, but they need to smell like the real thing or they give me headaches, but I do like to have candles. Does anyone know of a real smell vanilla one
Ooh this, ooh that.
Ooh, fuck off Katrina.
P.S. Phones autocorrect your name to Latrine. Think on that.
I used to love candles, and like you I tended to hoard them rather than burn them as I was worried about fire safety and the cost of these candles. That was until I found Scentsy – now I have ‘candles’ on the go all day every day with a different scent as often as I want 🙂 I’d be happy to share more with you 😉