Essential Candle Care Tips for a Perfect Burn

There's nothing quite like the warm glow and inviting scent of a beautifully burning candle. At Old Town Candle Co., we pour our hearts into crafting high-quality candles for your enjoyment. But to truly get the most out of every burn – for safety, longevity, and optimal fragrance – a little candle care goes a long way.

Here are our top tips to ensure your Old Town Candle Co. experience is always bright:

1. The First Burn: Make it Count! Your candle's first burn is crucial. When you light it for the very first time, allow the candle to burn long enough for the entire surface wax to melt and create a liquid pool from edge to edge. This usually takes a few hours, depending on the candle's size. Skipping this step can lead to "tunneling," where the wax burns down the center, leaving a ring of unused wax around the edges.

2. Trim Your Wick: Every Single Time Before each and every burn, trim your candle's wick to about 1/4 inch (6mm). A trimmed wick ensures a cleaner, more even burn, preventing excessive soot buildup and a flickering, oversized flame. You can use a wick trimmer, nail clippers, or even a pair of scissors. If the flame starts to get too large or flicker excessively while burning, extinguish it, let it cool, trim the wick, and relight.

3. Safety First: The Golden Rules

• Never leave a burning candle unattended. Always keep an eye on your lit candles.
• Keep away from flammables. Place candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface, away from anything that can catch fire (curtains, paper, bedding, etc.).
• Out of reach. Ensure candles are out of reach of children and pets.
• Avoid drafts. Drafts can cause uneven burning, excessive flickering, and soot.
• Know when to say goodbye. Stop burning your candle when there's about 1/2 inch of wax remaining at the bottom. Burning past this point can cause the container to overheat and potentially crack.

4. The Clean Burn: Extinguish Properly While blowing out a candle is common, it can sometimes create smoke and push soot onto your container. For a cleaner extinguishing, consider using a wick dipper (to dip the wick into the melted wax and then straighten it) or a snuffer. This helps preserve the integrity of your candle and prevent a smoky scent.

5. Storage Matters: Keep it Cool & Dark When not in use, store your candles in a cool, dry, dark place. Direct sunlight or extreme temperatures can cause candles to fade in color, sweat (release fragrance oils), or even crack. Proper storage helps maintain the candle's fragrance and appearance.

By following these simple candle care tips, you'll extend the life of your Old Town Candle Co. favorites, ensuring a beautiful, fragrant, and safe experience with every light. Enjoy the glow!