5 Ways to Take Care of Your Soy Wax Candles
Get the most out of your soy wax candles with our top 5 candle care tips.
If you’re anything like me candles are more than something that you purchase just in case your house plunges into sudden darkness. Candles are an essential part of home decor, they add character to a space from their overall style to their unique scents. But what’s the point of a beautiful smelling candle if it’s spoilt after the first burn?
Here are 5 ways that you can take care of your soy wax candles:
1. Melt the wax all the way to the edge of the container
Make sure that your candle is burning long enough for the wax to melt to the edges of the container. This is especially important when lighting your soy wax candle for the first time. If the wax is not able to melt to the edges of the container, it may cause the candle to tunnel (cave in). This may eventually lead to the formation of a ‘memory ring’ in the middle of the candle which can significantly reduce the burn time of the candle and may negatively effect the scent throw.
2. Trim your wick after each use
This is something that most candle users probably never do. However, it can be very beneficial to the life of your candle. After each use of your candle, trim your wick down to about 1/4”. This will ensure that the candle burns evenly, minimise soot and prevent mushrooming of the wick.
3. Use a heat resistant candle coaster
When burning your soy wax candle you should use a heat resistant coaster. This will allow your candle to cool evenly when blown out. Soy wax mixed with oils can naturally lead to ‘frosting’ or ‘crystallisation’ especially when candles are subjected to rapid temperature fluctuations. This occurs due to a process called polymorphism (a condition where crystals inconsistently form in a substance). Whilst the condition is only cosmetic and does not impact the performance of the candle, it can spoil the appearance. Try one of our Marble Effect Jesmonite Candle Coasters.
It is also good practice to burn your soy wax candles for a maximum period of 3 hours at a time to prevent it from reaching extreme high temperatures.
4. Don’t blow it out, use a candle snuffer
It is common practice to blow out candles when you’ve finished using them, but we actually recommend using a candle snuffer. Blowing candles out can sometimes cause sooting or lead to crooked wicks. So instead, extinguish it by gently placing the candle snuffer over the flame. This will help to maintain the appearance of your candle by keeping the wick straight and therefore ensuring an even burn next time.
5. Put the lid back on when not in use
Finally, keep the lid on your candle when not in use to protect it from dust and grime. The lid also helps to lock the scent in for longer.
You can also use the lid as an alternative to a candle snuffer by closing your candle container whilst the flame is still lit. This prevents oxygen from reaching the flame and extinguishes it.
I hope that these 5 tips help you to pro-long the life of your soy wax candles!
By Vennise
Candle Terminology
Candle tunnelling - occurs when only the center of the wax right around the wick melts and burns down.
Memory ring - if candle tunneling occurs over time, you'll end up with a ring of hard wax around the outside of the candle.
Wick mushrooming - occurs when the wax of your candle is unable to burn fast enough to keep up with the wick. This means that the wick starts to absorb the wax which creates a buildup of carbon particles on the wick.
Frosting / crystallisation - when a white crystalline layer forms on the surface of the wax. This is a natural effect of soy wax. Frosting takes place when the wax tries to return to its natural state.
Polymorphism - a condition where crystals inconsistently form in a substance.