Store candles in a cool, dry place:
When you're not using your expensive candles, it's important to store them in a cool and dry place. This will help prevent the candles from melting or warping, which can affect their appearance and performance. Avoid storing candles in damp or humid areas, such as bathrooms or basements, as this can cause the wax to soften and become misshapen.
Keep candles away from direct sunlight and drafts:
The location where you burn your candles can also affect their performance. Direct sunlight can cause candles to melt unevenly, while drafts can cause the flame to flicker and the candle to burn too quickly. To avoid these issues, burn candles in a well-ventilated room, but away from direct sunlight and drafts.
Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before lighting:
Before you light your expensive candles, make sure to trim the wick to about 1/4 inch. This will help prevent the flame from becoming too large and creating excessive soot. A long wick can also cause the candle to burn too quickly, reducing its lifespan.
Burn candles long enough to create a full melt pool:
When you first light your candle, it's important to let it burn long enough to create a full melt pool. This means that the wax should melt all the way to the edge of the candle. If the candle is not allowed to burn long enough to create a full melt pool, it can start to tunnel, which means that the wax will melt only in the center, leaving a ring of unmelted wax around the edge. Tunneling can greatly reduce the lifespan of the candle.
Use a snuffer to extinguish candles:
When it's time to put out your candle, it's best to use a candle snuffer rather than blowing it out. This can prevent hot wax from splattering, which can be dangerous and cause damage to surfaces. A candle snuffer is a small tool that is designed to extinguish the flame by cutting off the oxygen supply.
Rotate candles:
To ensure that your expensive candles burn evenly and last as long as possible, it's important to rotate them. This means that you should burn different candles at different times, rather than always lighting the same one. This will help prevent one side of the candle from melting or sooting more than the other.
Avoid burning candles for more than four hours at a time:
Burning a candle for too long can cause the wax to overheat and pool, which can be dangerous and reduce the candle's lifespan. To prevent this, try to avoid burning candles for more than four hours at a time.
Keep an eye on the candle's flame:
When you're burning your candles, it's important to keep an eye on the flame. If the flame is flickering excessively, it may be time to extinguish the candle. A flickering flame can be caused by drafts, a long wick, or low-quality wax.
Keep candles out of reach of children and pets:
Candles can be dangerous if not used properly, so it's important to keep them out of reach of children and pets. This will help prevent accidents such as burns, wax spills, and fires.
Use a candle plate or holder:
Finally, to protect surfaces from hot wax and soot, it's a good idea to use a candle plate or holder. These are designed to catch any wax or soot that may drip from the candle, preventing damage to surfaces.