Make your handmade soy candles last longer and burn better with these simple care tips from our artisan.
Your soy candle is a handmade treasure, poured in a small batch and finished by hand. A little care on every burn keeps it burning clean, smelling beautiful and lasting right to the bottom of the jar.
Make the first burn count. The first time you light your candle, let it burn until the melted wax reaches the edges of the jar, usually two to three hours. Soy wax has a memory: if you blow it out early, it will keep melting only that narrow circle and tunnel down the middle.
Trim the wick to about 1/4 inch before every burn. A short wick gives a calm, steady flame. A long one flickers, smokes and leaves black soot on the glass.
Keep each burn under four hours, and keep the candle away from fans, open windows and air conditioners. Draughts make the flame dance, which uses up wax unevenly and dulls the scent.
Stop when about half an inch of wax is left at the bottom, so the glass doesn’t overheat. Once it has cooled, scoop out the last of the wax with a spoon, wash the jar in warm soapy water, and give it a second life as a planter, a pen holder or a home for your jewellery.
And always: never leave a burning candle unattended, and keep it out of reach of children and pets.