A Beginner's Guide To Using Aroma Candles

Aromatic candles are a great way to create a unique atmosphere and fragrance in a room. However, it is important to know how to use them properly to get the most out of them. Before lighting your candle, it is important to trim the wick to a suitable length to ensure a cleaner, brighter, and safer burn. The first burn of your candle is the most important as it sets the burn memory, so it is recommended to let the candle burn until the full width is liquified. It is also important to avoid placing the candle in a draft, as this can cause the wax to melt unevenly and speed up the burn time. To extinguish the candle, it is best to avoid blowing it out, as this can cause a smoky smell and increase the likelihood of damaging the wick. Instead, use a snuffer, wick dipper, or the tip of a knife to gently smother the flame.

How to Use an Aroma Candle

How to trim the wick

Trimming the wick of your candle is an important step in candle care. It ensures the cleanest, longest, and most fragrant burn, and can even be a safety issue. Here's how to trim your wick:

Firstly, you should trim your wick before lighting your candle for the first time. The optimal length for a wick is around 4-5mm, or 1/4 of an inch above the surface of the wax. You can use scissors to trim the wick, but nail clippers or a dedicated "wick clipper" will give a cleaner cut. Try to cut the wick evenly across, not at an angle, and make sure you don't get any carbon residue on your hands.

After the first burn, you should trim the wick again before lighting it for a second time. This will prevent the wick from getting too long, which can cause the flame to become too big and hot, leading to issues like tunnelling, soot, and smoke. An untrimmed wick can also cause wax to crumble and become contaminated, and may result in an uneven burn.

If you accidentally cut your wick too short, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, light the candle and let it burn for around 30 minutes to melt the wax pool. Then, extinguish the flame and dispose of the melted wax using a paper cup or paper towel. Allow the candle to cool fully before relighting. If this doesn't work, you can use a heat gun to create a full wax pool, then pour out the melted wax and scrape away any excess with a knife.

How to light a candle for the first time

To light an aroma candle for the first time, follow these steps:

Firstly, ensure your candle is placed on a heat-resistant surface, such as stone. This will prevent any flammable surfaces from catching fire. Place the candle at least a foot away from curtains and remove any other flammable objects in the vicinity, such as paper, fabric, or dried flowers.

Before lighting your candle, trim the wick to around ⅛ to ¼ of an inch long. You can use scissors, a wick trimmer, or nail clippers to do this. Trimming the wick will give you a cleaner, brighter burn and will prevent the wick from taking on a strange shape that dulls and obscures the flame.

Now it's time to light your candle. You can use a match, a lighter, or even the flame from a gas stove. If using a match, hold the end of the match between your fingertips, leaving plenty of room for it to burn. If your candle is in a deep container, you may need a longer match or an alternative such as a piece of uncooked spaghetti. Light your match or alternative, then tilt the candle slightly to the side to avoid the flame coming towards your hand. Hold the flame to the wick and watch it ignite. Once the wick is lit, remove the match or alternative and blow it out.

It's important to let your candle burn for long enough to allow the entire top layer of wax to melt. This usually takes around one hour per inch of the candle's diameter. For example, a candle with a diameter of 2 inches should burn for 2 hours. This will prevent tunnelling, which is when the wax forms a hole in the middle, only melting around the wick.

Finally, remember to never leave a burning candle unattended and always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

How to extinguish a candle

There are several ways to extinguish a candle, but some are better than others if you want to preserve the life and fragrance of your candle.

Don't Extinguish Like This

• Don't blow them out: Blowing out a candle can cause issues like tunneling and unevenness. It can also cause smoke, which can leave an unpleasant after-scent and soot on your wick.
• Don't put the lid on: This method can trap smoke, infuse it into the wax, and change the scent. It can also fill the vessel with soot and make it dirty and black. The lid can also get stuck or break.
• Don't use your fingers: This is a party trick and not a safe way to extinguish a candle.

Do Extinguish Like This

• Use a wick dipper: Wick dippers usually have a long handle with a hook on one end. Use the wick dipper to quickly dip the wick into the melted wax and then lift it back out. This will put out your candle with very little smoke.
• Use a candle snuffer: Candle snuffers are a clean and efficient way to extinguish a candle. Place the bell of the snuffer over the wick, depriving it of oxygen and stifling the flame. This won't create as much smoke or soot.

Tips

• Always make sure the flame has been extinguished before walking away from a candle.
• To prevent tunneling, leave the candle burning until the wax has melted all the way across the top.
• Be careful not to burn yourself when extinguishing a candle.

Where to place a candle

When deciding where to place your aroma candle, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, think about the function of the room and the kind of ambience and fragrance that would enhance the experience of the room. For example, the ideal bedroom space is relaxing and tranquil, so choose aromas that can help you relax, such as lavender.

The size of the room is another important factor. In small rooms, a small candle is often enough to adequately scent the space. For medium-sized rooms, such as a bedroom or living room, one or two larger-sized candles can be burned at a time, depending on the candle's scent throw. For large, spacious rooms with high ceilings, you may need two to three candles or a large candle with multiple wicks spaced out to help the fragrance fill the space.

In terms of specific placement, keep candles elevated on a shelf, cabinet, table, or countertop so that the scent can circulate more freely. In the bedroom, place candles on a desk or dresser, avoiding bedding, curtains, or clothing. For the bathroom, place the candle on the back of the toilet, the bathroom counter, or the side of the tub. In the office, place the candle on a shelf or desk, away from any loose paperwork or books. For the living room, place candles on side tables, coffee tables, or shelves, ensuring they are out of reach of children and pets.

Additionally, avoid placing candles in drafty spots, such as near open windows or vents, as this can cause the fragrance to dissipate too quickly and lead to uneven burning of the candle.

How to store a candle

To store candles, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, safety is paramount. Candles are extremely flammable, so keep them away from any potential heat or ignition sources. Additionally, store them out of the reach of children and pets.

Secondly, to preserve the quality of your candles, store them in a dry and cool environment, ideally at room temperature or lower. Higher temperatures can cause candles to soften, bend, or melt entirely. Freezing candles is not recommended as extreme temperatures can damage the wicks, which absorb moisture during freezing.

Thirdly, avoid direct sunlight when storing candles as it can cause them to melt, fade their scents and colours, and sap the fragrance from scented candles.

Finally, choose an appropriate container for your candles. Metal tins are ideal as they are fire-proof, do not let in moisture, and are highly durable. Plastic storage containers are also a good option, offering a range of sizing options, but they may melt if the temperature gets too high. Cardboard boxes should be avoided, but if used, ensure they are in good condition and stored in a cool, dry, and dark location.

• Taper candles: Keep them flat to prevent warping. Wrap them individually in tissue paper or bubble wrap and then lay them out in flat rows. You can stack rows of tapers but do not place other types of candles on top.
• Pillar candles: Wrap them for protection and lay them flat, just like tapers. You can stack other candles on top of pillar candles if each candle is wrapped individually and carefully arranged in rows and layers.
• Small candles and votive candles: Use dividers in the storage box to prevent them from melting together. Egg cartons or dividers designed for Christmas tree ornaments or underwear drawers work well.
• Jar and tumbler candles: These are the easiest to store as they come in their own containers. You can stack boxes of jar candles on top of each other, but be careful to ensure nothing falls. They can also be stored vertically, which helps the wax remain in place if they melt.
• Birthday candles: Store them flat or upright in a glass jar or small tin. If you have a large collection, separate them by colour in glass jars for better visibility.

Frequently asked questions