Natural soy candles are a beautiful way to bring warmth, ambiance, and a clean-burning fragrance into your home. Unlike paraffin candles, soy candles are made from soybean oil, a renewable resource that burns cleaner and longer.
However, to get the most out of your soy candles, it’s important to follow a few simple guidelines to ensure they burn evenly, last longer, and maintain their fragrance. In this guide, I’ll share essential tips for burning a natural soy candle properly.
1. Trim the Wick Before Every Burn
One of the most important steps in maintaining a soy candle is trimming the wick before each use. A cotton wick that is too long can cause excessive flickering, uneven burning, and black soot.
If you have a crackling wood wick, trimming the wick is required to keep the candle burning. This is because the wood flame has to be lower so the wax can fuel the burning wood wick.
How to trim your wick properly:
• Before lighting your candle, use a wick trimmer or scissors to cut the wick to about 1/4 inch (6mm) in length.
• If your candle has already been burned, remove any mushrooming (the black, bulbous tip) from the wick before relighting.
• Regularly trimming the wick helps maintain an even, steady flame and prevents unnecessary soot buildup.
2. Let the Wax Pool Reach the Edges
Have you ever noticed a candle that burns straight down the center, leaving wax along the sides? This is called tunneling, and it can significantly reduce your candle’s lifespan.
To prevent tunneling:
• Allow the first burn to last long enough for the melted wax to reach the edges of the jar. This process is called creating a full melt pool and usually takes 1 to 3 hours, depending on the size of the candle.
• If you extinguish the candle too soon before the wax has melted across the surface, a memory ring may form, causing uneven burns in the future. If this happens, let it burn a little longer under supervision until the sides have melted down.
3. Avoid Burning for Too Long
While it’s important to let your candle reach a full melt pool, you should also avoid burning it for too long at a time.
The recommended burn time per session:
• 2 to 4 hours is the ideal burn time for most soy candles.
• Burning for longer periods can cause the wick to mushroom, create excess soot, and even overheat the glass container, which may lead to cracking.
4. Keep Your Candle Away from Drafts
Air movement from fans, open windows, or air conditioning vents can cause your candle to burn unevenly or flicker excessively. This can lead to tunneling and inefficient wax consumption.
To ensure a steady burn:
• Place your candle in a draft-free area away from direct airflow.
• If you notice the flame moving erratically, try repositioning the candle to a more stable environment.
5. Extinguish the Candle Properly
How you extinguish your soy candle can affect its longevity and scent. Blowing out the flame can produce unwanted smoke and push wick debris into the wax.
Instead, try one of these methods:
• Use a candle snuffer to safely put out the flame without creating smoke.
• Dip the wick into the wax pool using a wick dipper, then straighten it back up. This method coats the wick in wax, preventing smoking and making it easier to relight next time.
6. Keep the Wax Free of Debris
To ensure a clean burn, keep the wax surface free from dust, wick trimmings, and any other debris. Foreign materials can catch fire or disrupt an even melt pool.
Best practices for keeping your candle clean:
• Store candles with the lid on when not in use.
• Use a dry cloth to gently clean the wax surface if necessary.
7. Burn on a Heat-Resistant Surface
Glass jar candles can become very hot after several hours of burning. To protect your furniture and surfaces:
• Always place candles on a heat-resistant coaster or tray.
• Avoid placing candles directly on any flammable surfaces such as wood, plastic, or fabric.
8. Don’t Burn Your Candle to the Bottom
Burning a soy candle all the way to the bottom of the jar can be dangerous. Most candle manufacturers recommend stopping when there is about 1/2 inch (12mm) of wax remaining.
Why?
• The flame can overheat the glass container, potentially causing it to crack or shatter.
• Exposing the wick’s metal base can be a fire hazard.
9. Store Your Candle Properly
Proper storage extends the lifespan and scent of your soy candle.
Best storage tips:
• Keep candles in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
• Store them with the lid on to protect against dust and fading fragrance.
• Avoid leaving candles in extreme temperatures, as heat can cause the wax to soften and warp, while cold conditions may cause cracks.
10. Repurpose Your Candle Jar
Once your candle is finished, don’t throw away the jar! Many soy candle containers are reusable and can be repurposed for various household uses like a cotton tip holder, makeup brush holder, and so much more.
How to clean out your candle jar:
1. Soy wax is a soft wax. Grab an old spoon and simply scoop out the remaining amount of wax and wick OR pour hot water into the jar to loosen the wax, then wipe it clean.
2. Wash with warm, soapy water and repurpose it as a planter, storage container for brushes, cotton swabs, or a decorative piece.
Enjoying Your Soy Candle to the Fullest
Soy candles are an eco-friendly, clean-burning alternative to traditional paraffin candles, but they require proper care to ensure the best experience. By trimming your wick, allowing a full melt pool, keeping the wax clean, and storing the candle properly, you can extend the life of your candle and enjoy its fragrance to the fullest.
Next time you light your favorite soy candle, follow these tips to create a relaxing and cozy atmosphere while making the most of your candle’s burn time. Happy burning!
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