Candle Care & Safety

TRIM THE WICK

Before every burn, you should trim your candle’s wick from ⅛ to ¼ inch long. At CB we use cotton wicks which are easily trimmed with a wick trimmer, scissors, or nail clippers. We recommend scissors or nail clippers if you are in a pinch but for an elegant display, a cleaner cut, and a longer reach into the vessel, the wick trimmer is a must-have for the candle collector. 

Wick trimming helps your candle have a cleaner, brighter, and longer burn. This practice helps keep the flame in control and prevents smoke stains from forming on the vessel. During trimming, it is a great time to check for debris in the wax pool and remove any fallen wick, matches, or soot. Always remove any debris in the wax to avoid the flame surging and fire hazards. 

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Finding the best spot to set your candle is an important part of the burn. We recommend avoiding exposing the flame to moving air such as open windows, air conditioning units, heaters, or high-traffic areas - this causes the flame to be disrupted leaving soot and stains on the vessel. 

It is always advised to burn your candle away from anything highly flammable. Never leave a burning candle unattended and make sure the flame is completely out before leaving the room. Always let your candle cool after burning and never move your candle while it is lit or the vessel is still hot. 

BURN

The first burn is crucial for a lasting candle. To avoid tunneling and wasting any wax, you should set aside enough time to let the candle burn to the edge and melt all the way across. Candles typically burn one hour for every inch in diameter. For example, if a candle is 3 inches in diameter, the first burn should be three hours. 

EXTINGUISH 

To limit excess smoke and prevent hot wax from splattering, use a candle snuffer when putting out the candle, holding the snuffer over the flame for 5 seconds. Allow the candle to cool before moving and covering it with a lid. If you do not have a snuffer you can use a tweezer and move the burning wick to touch the wax until the flame is put out. 

WHAT IF MY CANDLE IS TUNNELING?

You can fix a tunneled candle by wrapping a piece of aluminum foil around the edges and simply letting it burn. Make sure the foil hangs over the built-up wax areas, but leave an opening in the center so the wick can still burn properly. After a couple of hours, the wax should melt and even out the surface