Candle Care 101

Candle Care 101

Our soy candles are hand-poured in small batches in Potsdam, NY, from 100% U.S.-grown soy wax with a cotton wick. A few simple habits will give you a cleaner burn, a stronger scent, and every hour of burn time you paid for.

Every Burn

Trim the wick to 1/4 inch

Trim before every burn, with the candle cool. An untrimmed wick is the most common cause of a tall flame, soot, and black smoke. Clear any trimmings out of the wax.

Let the first burn reach the edges

On the first burn, keep the candle lit until the melted wax reaches the edge of the jar, usually 2 to 4 hours depending on size. This prevents tunneling. If a candle has already tunneled, see how to fix a tunneled candle.

Burn no more than 4 hours at a time

Longer burns let carbon build up on the wick ("mushrooming"), which makes the flame larger and smokier. Let the candle cool for at least 2 hours before relighting.

Snuff, don't blow

A snuffer puts the flame out without splashing wax or sending up a plume of smoke. If you don't have one, a gentle breath is better than a hard blow.

Safety

  • Never leave a burning candle unattended, and put it out before you leave the room or go to sleep.
  • Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
  • Burn on a stable, heat-resistant surface, at least 12 inches from curtains, paper, and anything that can catch fire.
  • Keep the candle out of drafts from windows, fans, and vents.
  • Don't move a lit candle. The glass gets hot, so let the jar cool completely before handling.
  • Stop burning when about 1/2 inch of wax remains in the bottom of the jar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my candle smoking or leaving soot on the jar?

Almost always it's the wick, not the wax. A long or mushroomed wick, a draft across the flame, or blowing the candle out hard will all produce soot. Trim to 1/4 inch, move the candle out of the draft, and use a snuffer. Soot on the inside of the jar wipes off with a damp cloth once the candle is cool.

Do I need to ventilate the room?

Burn your candle in a room with normal air circulation, but not in the direct path of a fan, vent, or open window. A steady flame burns more completely than a flickering one.

What do you mean by a "clean, even burn"?

It means a candle that, when the wick is trimmed and the flame is out of drafts, burns with a steady flame, minimal visible soot, and an even melt pool. Every flame produces some combustion byproducts, so we don't describe our candles as emission-free.

Is soy wax safer than paraffin?

We pour with soy because it is a renewable, U.S.-grown crop and because we like how it holds and releases botanical scent. Research comparing wax types has not shown that one is clearly cleaner-burning than another when candles are burned correctly. Wick size, scent load, and how the candle is burned matter more than the wax.

Is your soy wax organic?

No. Our soy wax is 100% U.S.-sourced, but it is not certified organic.

What are your wicks made of?

Our soy candles use lead-free cotton wicks.

What's in my candle?

Each candle's product page lists its ingredients, usually the wax and the essential oils or fragrance used for that scent. Some scents use pure essential oils, and some use a blend that includes fragrance oils. If you need more detail about a specific ingredient, contact us before you buy.

I'm sensitive to fragrance. Is this candle safe for me?

We can't promise that any scented product will be right for every person. Natural and essential-oil fragrances can still cause reactions in people who are sensitive to them. Check the ingredients on the product page, and if you have allergies or a medical condition, ask your doctor first. We are glad to share ingredient details on request.

What can I do with the jar when I'm done?

Our jars are made to be reused. See how to clean and repurpose glass candle jars.

Have a question we didn't answer? Get in touch.