BURNING CANDLES 101

Hi I'm Caitlin, and THIS is my Masterclass.

Here we will break down the basics of actually burning a candle. It seems pretty straight forward right? Open the lid, strike a match, light and enjoy! Well it's not always that simple. There are certain things that we do, without knowing, that negatively affect the lifespan of our candles. No worries, I'm here to help. Let's create good habits so we can get the MOST out of our candles.

Let's dive in.

1. THE FIRST LIGHT.

Pay attention folks, the first light is the most important one! When we light candles what happens? The wick is lit, which melts the wax and releases the fragrance. Let's make sure you get to enjoy the WHOLE candle, and not just some of it. It is very important to let your candle burn until the melted wax reaches the edge of your container, and there is about a 1/2 inch of melted wax in your container. This is called a "Melt Pool" and depending on the size of your candle, it can take up to 3 hours to reach a full melt pool. Don't worry, in most cases the longer you burn your candle, the longer it lives!

The whole point of this step is to establish a memory for the wax. Yes, wax has memory. If you blow out your candle while there is still a wall of firm wax along the edge of the container, the wick will never burn that wax. You have just created a tunnel for the flame, which will go all the way down to the bottom of your candle. All that wax has now been wasted. To avoid this, burn your candle for at least 2 hours before blowing it out to establish an even burn and an even melt pool.

2. TRIM THE WICK. 

Once you have completed the first light and are ready to light again, please trim the wick. This step is so critical for the cleanliness and lifespan of your candle. Our wicks will always "self-clean", meaning it will mushroom at the tip and fall off when dried. However, a self cleaning wick isn't a guarantee that it will be the right length. This is why we use wick trimmers, check them out in our Accessories! The proper wick length, above wax, is 1/4" long. Use a wick trimmer or scissors to trim the wick and remove any fallen debris before lighting your candle. This will make prevent the flame from becoming too big or creating excess soot and heat. Trimming your wick BEFORE each light will increase the lifespan of your candle by controlling the size of the flame, meaning less heat and more burn time. More time for you to enjoy your favorite fragrance! 

3. BURN SAFELY.

Always make sure to burn your candle on a flat surface, away from children, pets, and flammable materials. Burn your candle in a well ventilated space, and keep debris out of the container. Do not try to move or touch your candle as it is burning, or directly after putting it out. DO NOT INGEST any part of our products. And last but not least, give yourself the freedom to light your candles correctly, using their full potential, and enjoy your favorite McGuire & Co. fragrances!

I hope these tips have been helpful and I can't wait for you to see the difference these good habits can make! Happy lighting! 

 

x Caitlin

 

FAQ's:

Q: How long do you recommend burning a candle for?

A: At least 2 hours, or until the candle reaches its full melt pool.

 

Q: Does burning your candle for longer really help it last longer?

A: Yes,100%. The longer you let your candle burn, the more even the melt pool becomes. The melted wax will harden again after you put out the flame. Candles were MADE to stay lit. 

 

Q: Will I be able to smell my candle from anywhere in my house?

A: While we pride ourselves on developing a significant hot-throw, we cannot guarantee that any particular fragrance will completely fill your space. Some spaces are larger than others and may require two or more candles to fill them. We have found that in most cases one candle does the trick.  

 

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