5 Tips for Using Your Scented Candle Properly

Scented candles are easy to use. To spread their fragrance throughout the house, simply light the wick… and that’s it! In reality, there are a few small steps to follow to use them safely. Some tips also help you better enjoy their scent or even extend their lifespan. Here are 5 tips for using your scented candle correctly.

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1. Let the candle melt long enough during the first use

The first lighting of a candle is an important step. Indeed, it is during the first use that the wax can form a hollow in its center. It will then not melt properly and evenly. It will have difficulty burning completely, and you will find it hard to use the entire candle. Fortunately, there is a trick to prevent this phenomenon and stop candles from hollowing out.

The solution is to let the candle melt long enough during the first use. On average, it is recommended to keep it lit for between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours. This way, the surface wax will have time to liquefy about 5 mm deep and will cool down flat once the candle is extinguished. This is the best way to prevent a hollow in the wax.

For subsequent uses, also avoid burning it for too short a time (less than 1 hour), which could again affect the even melting of the wax.

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Trimming a candle wick has two main advantages. On one hand, it allows for a nice bright flame, without black smoke or soot formation. On the other hand, the candle will burn much more slowly and evenly.

On average, a wick should measure between 3 and 5 mm in height. If it is too long, it may need to be trimmed. For this, use a pair of small scissors or a wick trimmer.

Remember to trim the wick of your scented candle before each use. Also check that the wick is properly centered to burn straight.

3. Place the candle in the right spot

Avoid, for example, lighting it near flammable materials or textiles: curtains, drapes, clothes, sheets… A simple draft could redirect the flame and increase the risk of fire.

Similarly, it should be out of reach of children and pets. The room should always be supervised when the candle is lit. So remember to extinguish the flame before leaving the room.

Finally, if you want to place the candle on a shelf, make sure there is enough space above. We recommend leaving at least 30 cm. This way, the scent spreads well throughout the room and you avoid damaging any surfaces above.

4. Regularly air out the room

Even if your candle smells very good, it is important to regularly air out the room where it is burning. Indeed, if it is used for a long time (more than 2 hours), the fragrances can

overload the air and become overwhelming.

We therefore recommend airing out at least once every 3 hours. You can then relight your candle to enjoy its scent again under the best conditions.

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5. Use a snuffer to extinguish the flame

To extinguish a candle, we usually just blow on the flame. However, by doing this, you direct black smoke onto the wax, which stains the candle. Also, it causes a strong smoke smell in the room. Yet there is a method to extinguish a candle more “cleanly.”

A snuffer is a small cone-shaped tool. It “smothers the flame” without producing smoke or soot. At the same time, it prevents any hot wax splashes. It’s a practical, easy-to-use accessory that makes candle use more elegant.

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