At BeeZeroWaste, we take pride in crafting our beeswax candles with the utmost attention to detail, ensuring they burn beautifully and efficiently. To get the most out of your beeswax candles, a touch of tender loving care is essential. Here’s our comprehensive guide to keeping your candles burning longer, brighter, and cleaner.
First Burn: Setting the Stage
The initial burn of your beeswax candle sets the stage for its future performance. It’s crucial to allow your candle to burn until a pool of wax forms across the entire surface. This prevents tunneling, ensuring an even burn and maximizing the candle's lifespan. For pillars, this means a burn time of 3 to 5 hours depending on the diameter; tea lights should be let to burn for at least 1.5 hours.
Wick Wisdom: Trim for Perfection
Keeping your wick trimmed is the key to a clean, smoke-free burn. Pillars require a trim to a quarter-inch before each lighting, while taper wicks should be no shorter than half an inch. Remember, the length of your wick can dramatically influence the burn quality, affecting everything from the flame size to potential soot production.
Candle Hugging: An Embrace for Efficiency
For pillar candles, "hugging" the candle after extinguishing the flame encourages an even burn and ensures all the wax is consumed. Gently press the soft, warm wax towards the wick each time you blow it out. This simple act of care can significantly extend the life of your candle.
On the Move: Handling and Placement
Always use a heat-resistant plate or holder to protect your surfaces from heat and spilled wax. Beeswax candles should not be used in hurricane containers due to their high melting point. And when placing your candles, choose a draft-free spot to prevent uneven burning and dripping.
Maintenance: Keep It Clean and Even
If your candle's walls become too thick or thin, adjust accordingly by trimming down thick walls or allowing thin walls to build up by adjusting burn time. For relighting, warm the base of the wick to ensure the beeswax in the wick melts, allowing for a clean burn.
Cleaning Up: A Breeze with Beeswax
Cleaning your candle holders and removing beeswax from fabrics or surfaces is easier than you might think. The "freeze and whack" method for glass votive and tealight cups is effective and satisfying. For fabric spills, a combination of freezing and ironing over paper towels will lift the wax away.
Did You Know? Beeswax Ages Gracefully
Beeswax candles do not expire; in fact, they burn even more beautifully with age. Store them in a cool, dark place to preserve their integrity and extend their burn time even further.
By following these care tips, you're not just preserving your beeswax candles; you're embracing a more sustainable, zero-waste lifestyle. Each BeeZeroWaste candle is a testament to the beauty of nature and the importance of care in extending the life of the products we use. Enjoy the warm glow and pure air only beeswax candles can provide, knowing you're making the most of every flicker.