how to burn scented soy candles

6 tips for your best burns ever

the kolé scented candle in clean cotton & freshly cut grass, and the large tiled coaster in powder blue

Burning scented candles is one of the little luxuries that can bring such a wonderful ambiance to any space. Here are some top tips for maintaining your candles and enjoying the best burns possible.

Place it somewhere safe

Make sure you place your candle on a solid, even surface, away from soft furnishings and anything flammable. It may also be worth placing your candle on a heatproof coaster or tray to protect your surfaces from heat and melted wax. 

trim your wicks

Trimming the wick of your candle is a really good practice to make sure your candle burns well.

By cutting the wick down after each burn, you stop the flame getting too large, and also keep any ash from the burnt wick from falling into the wax. By keeping the wick trimmed, you'll enjoy a more even burn and extend the candle's lifespan. 

Ideally, you want to keep a cotton wick at around 5-6mm (¼ inch), and a wooden wick at around 3mm (⅛ inch).

If you’ve over trimmed or broken the wick, it’s worth pouring out a little of the pooled wax as it burns, so that you are left with an exposed wick of the right size.

Wooden wicks provide a longer and cleaner burn than traditional cotton wicks. The unique structure of wooden wicks allows for increased airflow, ensuring a more consistent and efficient burn throughout the candle's life.

prevent tunnelling

To achieve an optimal burn for the life of your scented candle, allow the soy wax to melt and pool across the entire surface of the candle during the first burn. This process, known as a memory burn, prevents tunnelling (when the wax only melts right in the middle of the candle) and maximises the scent throw. By establishing an even wax pool, scented soy candles, can offer a longer-lasting and more enjoyable burning experience.

Burn in Intervals 

For both safety and efficacy, it's recommended to burn scented soy candles in maximum intervals of 3-4 hours. This stops overheating and helps maintain an ideal scent throw. Remember, burning the candle for extended periods can generate excessive heat or cause the container to become too hot.

Put it out safely

When it's time to extinguish your scented soy candle, gently use a candle snuffer or softly blow out the flame. Avoid blowing forcefully, as this can cause hot wax to splatter. Ensure the flame is fully extinguished before leaving the candle unattended - safety’s always the priority!

care for wooden wicks

Candles with wooden wicks require some additional care to ensure their optimal performance. Before relighting, gently remove any excess charred wood from the wick, allowing for a clean burn. As mentioned above, make sure to keep the wooden wick trimmed to approximately 3mm (⅛ inch) before each use.

By following these key considerations you can elevate your candle-burning experience to new heights. With kolé’s scented candles in Juicy Orange, Bergamot, Seasalt & Sage and Clean Cotton & Freshly Cut Grass, you can create an atmosphere that soothes the senses and brings a touch of enchantment to your space.

I hope this helps you to get the most out of your candles!

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