NOTE:  All candles should cure before lighting the first time.  Soy candles curing time is 1-2 weeks.  This allows the fragrance oil to blend thoroughly with the wax and give you a more fragrant candle.  We allow our candles to thoroughly harden for 2 days before shipping.  Shipping time varies 2-5 days, so by the time you receive your candle it will have cured for 4-9 days.  We will let you know the day the candle is shipped. We recommend you allow curing for a minimum of 10 days.

 

1. Container candles: burn the candle long enough the first time you light it so a wax pool forms that covers the entire top of the candle. Extinguish the candle when it reaches this point. Depending on the diameter of the candle or container, the initial burn time will vary, generally 1 hour for each inch of diameter. For example, a candle that has a 3" diameter should be burned approximately 3 hours the first time. Subsequently you should try to burn the candle at least as long as necessary for the candle to reach the "memory pool" you created with the first burn. Following these guidelines will ensure a cleaner and longer lasting candle.

2.  Pillar Candles: Do not burn your pillar candle in any glass or container. Use a regular candleholder so that the candle can stand on its own, but still have something underneath it to catch wax drippings or support it in case it gets bumped.

Burn it in a level place away from fans, windows, or other drafts in order to keep it burning evenly. If it is placed in drafty conditions, it can begin to burn unevenly or even start to tunnel.

The first time you burn your candle, leave it lit long enough so that a wax pool forms across the majority of the top portion of the candle. This is called a full pool. Let your candle flicker one hour for every inch in diameter, so if your pillar candle has a three-inch diameter, let it burn for three hours when you first light it. This prevents tunneling.

Hug in the edges of the pillar candle at the end of each burn by cupping your hands to fold the wax inwards. This will help avoid candle tunneling and allow the excess wax on the edges to be burned along with the center. Tunneling will cause your candle to not last as long.

Trim the wick to ¼ inch before each burn. If the wick is too long, it can start to release soot into the air while it burns. Most candlewicks are originally generous in size, but a longer wick doesn’t mean the candle will burn longer.

3. Votive candles are meant to liquefy (melt) when burned. Burn them only in a snug fitting votive candleholder. The melted wax will fill the votive candleholder. If burned properly, the votive candle should have a burn time of at least 15 hours.

4. Candle wicks should always be trimmed to 1/4 inch before lighting to prevent smoking. Trim candle wick only when the candle is cold. After extinguishing a candle, clean out any carbon deposits or other foreign materials while the wax is still liquid.
 
5.  To prevent dripping, keep your candle out of drafts. If the candle starts dripping, extinguish it and let it cool for at least 30 minutes before moving the candle out of the draft and relight. Even non-drip candles will drip under certain circumstances.

6.  It is important to remember that candles are fire, and if treated improperly can cause serious damage. Never place candles near curtains or other materials that are flammable. Never leave a burning candle unattended or where children or pets can get near it.

7.  Place candles on a hard, steady surface that is heat resistant.