Candle Burning Safety Tips with 

ML Candle Designs

Follow These Guidelines for the Best and Safest Candle Burning Practices.​

 

Max burn time on ANY candle is roughly 3-4 hours at a time. Burning a candle for too long will cause carbon to collect on the wick, leading it to “mushroom.” The wick will then become unstable and produce a dangerously large flame. Plus, your candle will start to smoke and release soot. Avoid this by always following the manufacturer’s instructions. In general, it is recommended that candles do not burn for longer than four hours and cool for at least two hours before relighting. Never burn candles unless you’re awake, aware, and in the room.  

 

Never EVER leave children around lit candles. ​

 

ALWAYS trim the wick and check for debris. Before you light a candle, always trim the wick to ¼ inch and remove any debris left in the wax pool such as wick trimmings or matches. Any debris will add more fuel to the candle than it’s designed to handle. Too much fuel can cause the flame to unexpectedly flare up or even start a small fire near the candle flame. Wicks that are left long or crooked can cause uneven burning, dripping, flaring and sooting.

 

Trimming wicks will help prolong the life of your candle. Your candles will burn up to 25% longer if you trim the wick every couple of hours. Get it right the first time. Just like the first cut is the deepest, that first burn is the most important. Candles should burn one hour for every 1 inch in diameter of the actual candle size. For example, a candle that is 2 inches across should burn for 2 hours. If a candle is not burned for long enough to allow the wax to liquefy or to melt from edge to edge of the container, it will create a “memory ring.” Once a candle has a “memory ring,” it will continue to tunnel for the life of the candle.​

 

DON’T burn the candle all the way down. Ever wonder how long to burn a candle? Nguyen says it’s best to not burn the candle for more than 4 hours. “Ideally, aim for a duration of around 2 to 4 hours to ensure the candle’s top layer melts and pools to the edge.” This helps prevent a “mushroom” effect in which the wick will then become unstable and produce a dangerously large flame that can smoke and release soot. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines on the candle warning labels for specifics about the maximum burn time for the product. It’s also imperative to not burn the candle all the way down. The National Fire Protection Association recommends putting the candle out before it gets too close to the holder or container. Stop burning a candle when half an inch of wax remains in the container or 2 inches remains if using a pillar candle.​

 

DO choose a safe location for lit candles and keep the flame away from moving air. When burning a candle, avoid proximity to fans, air conditioners, open windows, or crowded areas with people walking back and forth. Moving air can disturb the flame, resulting in those pesky black marks on the glass. Make sure to put your candle in a clear spot on a flat surface like a table, with no fabric nearby in case a flicker sparks off of a wick. It is also wise to avoid placing a candle in an enclosed area, such as a bookcase since it can leave soot on the surface above where the candle is burning. A good rule of thumb with candles is to not put them in a place where they can get easily knocked over, like a wobbly table or a coffee table during a gathering. For safe candle burning, it’s also a good idea to invest in a candle tray or coaster to catch any ash or wax drippings.​

 

Store your candles properly. Store candles in a cool, dark and dry place with the lid on to keep them clean of dust and debris, and to help protect the wax and fragrance. Highly fragrant candles have a life span of 6 to 12 months, depending on the scent. If you enjoy fragranced candles, then use and replace them often to avoid deterioration in appearance and performance.​DON’T keep burning a candle that is flickering or smoking. The National Candle Association warns against burning a candle if it is constantly flickering or forming wisps of smoke in the room. When a candle is showing these signs, put it out right away. Flickering and smoking often results when the teardrop shape of the flame is disturbed due to drafts or strong air currents. When this happens, soot forms and creates smoke. Be sure to only light candles in well-ventilated areas to prevent this from happening.​

 

DO use a candle snuffer to extinguish the flame. While many people simply blow out a candle, the best way to extinguish the flame is by using a candle snuffer (also called a candle extinguisher or douter). Dating back to the 17th century, this tool consists of a small cone at the end of a handle that puts out a flame by cutting off oxygen to it. According to the National Candle Association, using a candle snuffer is the safest way to put out a candle since it helps prevent hot wax from splattering and potentially burning the person trying to blow it out. Rivera notes, “A snuffer reduces the soot and carbon emission when the flame goes out and results in a more consistent and manageable wick.”  

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It is critical to never use water to put out a candle.

 

DON’T buy candles loaded with chemicals. To avoid dangers of scented candles like allergies and poor indoor air quality, do not burn toxic candles that contain harmful chemicals. Safe candles do not contain paraffin, phthalates, parabens, synthetic dyes, or lead wicks. Always opt for natural wax varieties.​

 

DO follow instructions for properly removing wax drippings. Even if the candle was lit according to all the instructions, there is no avoiding the wax drippings that can cause an unsightly and annoying mess. Fortunately, wax can easily be removed. But there is a right way and wrong way to clean up after a burning candle. The National Candle Association warns against ever using a knife or sharp object to remove wax drippings since it could scratch or break the candle holder or surface it is resting on and potentially cause an injury. Depending on the type of surface the wax dripped on, there are a number of options to remove it, such as ice, vinegar, a hair blow dryer.