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Lighting a candle seems straightforward enough. Strike a match, light the wick, leave, blow out. But, such a journey is not as straightforward as one might think. There are actually processes involved in getting the optimum life (and afterlife) out of your candle – an imperative considering the cost and danger involved.
In soft focus, we take a look at the journey of a candle; from first light to its re-use, and the inevitable task of removing its waxy residue (which, in fact, does not involve rinsing or washing out with water).
Gavin Sommers, Cire Trudon Brand Manager, sheds light on how to get the best out of your new flame.
Credit: Cire Trudon
AT FIRST LIGHT
The first light is the most important. You need to commit to the candle for the first light to get the most out of it. The first light should be for approximately 2 – 3 hours. The top of the candle needs to be completely transparent before extinguishing flame.
To avoid welling (a hole) you need to ensure for each burn the candles surface is completely transparent before extinguishing. The wax a has a memory so it will only burn evenly if extinguished when its top is transparent.
Following each burn, we recommend to burn only for 1 – 2 hours each time whilst allowing the candle to solidify before relighting. The first burn of a candle should be within the for 3 months of reception.
PUT OUT A FIRE
When extinguishing the flame, you should never blow it out. But, why?
We all do it, but why shouldn’t we? You’ve just spend 2-3 hours making your room smell amazing and you’ve perfumed the space, now when you blow out the candle you fill the space with that terrible burnt wick smell, it’s not good to breathe in, so we recommend to use a wick sniffer.
WICK WORRIES
Wick care is also very important, you need to constantly cut the wick, before during and after the burn – this should be approximately 1/2cm long.
If your candle is smoking it means your wick is too long. Should any black smoke appear, trim the tip of the wick. It should be clean and no longer than 5mm at all times.
Should the wick need centering, gently readjust to the correct position when the wax is molten and allow candle to solidify before relighting.
THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
You should leave approximately 5mm at the bottom of each candle with wax, this not only protects the base but you can remove the wax easily.
Put the glass vase into the fridge or freezer for 30 – 40min, the wax will contract and it will pop out, you can use the vase again for cocktail glasses, as a vase or to house your beauty essentials.
CANDLE CARE 101
Safe candle care is extremely important. The customer should always read the enclosed instructions before lighting a candle.
Candles do have a flame and we need to ensure they are not left unattended – it’s amazing the stories I hear about people leaving candles on all day and when they leave the house it’s either too hot to touch or the vase has exploded.
Candles should be put on a wooden board went lit to ensure the surface is protected, customers should be aware of the surfaces they’re placing the candle on, to avoid something happening to either the candle or table.
Do not leave a candle unattended and of course keep away from children, curtains and pets.
Credit: Cire Trudon
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