As a candlemaker, I go through rigorous testing to make sure the candles I make are not only safe to use, but burn evenly and smell incredible. I have spent (and wasted) SO much money on "designer" candles that have a lovely scent but poor performance. I'm sure you have too!
Candles are a luxury purchase--you don't need them but they're nice to have and enhance your mood and create ambience in your space. That's why I started my candle business: I knew that with my knowledge of fragrance and thorough testing I could create the best candle on the market at a price that doesn't make your wallet hurt.
Here are 5 ways you, the consumer, can improve your candle performance:
1. Trim your wicks
Every time (yes, every) time you burn your candle you should be trimming your wick to around 1/4" inch above the wax. Trimming each time ensures you don't get a sooty build-up on the rim of your candle container and it keeps the flame from getting too tall. We love to use our wick trimmers to keep our wicks short (plus they look nice).
2. Burn your candle for longer than you think
A candle is comprised of several parts that work together to burn evenly and create a good scent "throw" (how far you can smell the candle in a space). The wax, how much fragrance it contains, the wick size and container diameter all play a part in how even your candle burns. Allowing it to burn for a while until your melt pool is nearly touching the edge of your container is the best way to prevent "tunneling". Tunneling occurs when a candle either has too small of a wick or is blown out before it reaches the edge of the container. Wax has a memory so it will only burn to the last "edge" created from its last use.
3. Size Matters
How large your container candle is--that is, how wide the diameter and how many wicks--determines how large of a scent "throw" it will create. Burning a travel-sized candle in a large living room will never be as strongly scented than it being burned in a small powder room. A larger diameter means more fragrance is being emitted. Consider what size room you like to burn candles in and buy your candles accordingly. We carry 2 sizes of our core collection scents: travel tins best suited for small spaces and our glass jars for larger rooms.
4. Safety First
Candles are tiny fires in your home. As candlemakers, it is our job to ensure the safety and quality of our product but it is YOUR job to create a safe environment for it. Never leave candles burning unattended, do not burn them where animals and children can reach, don't burn metal tins on surfaces that can melt. Burning a candle in a drafty area makes an unstable flame. Stop burning a candle when 1/2" of wax remains in the container--this can unstick the wick sticker, causing the wick to migrate to the edge of the container and there is big potential for glass to crack or explode.
5. Burn the nice candles
You've spent good, hard-earned money on little luxuries that bring you a sense of joy, peace and happiness. I know it's hard to resist the urge to keep your candles for a long time or save them for a special occasion. We carry beautiful candle accessories to complement our candles. But remember, they are there to be used and enjoyed. Burn the nice candle.