As with any other candles, soy candles must be burned properly to get the most out of them, and for safety reasons. Here is a rundown on how to burn soy candles.

Soy candle wax has what’s called a memory. That means that when you burn a soy candle and then extinguish it, the next time you burn it, the soy candle wax will melt across as far as it did the first time.

This is why it is so important to allow soy candles to burn all the way across to the edge of the container the first time you burn it before putting it out. This ensures that your soy candle does not “tunnel” as it burns, leaving wax along the sides of the container.  When I lit a candle I usually never turn it off before 2 hrs. This is where the scent is in scented soy candles. A good melt pool will give off the best fragrance throw. Burn your candles for NO more than 4 hrs at a time to prevent the container from getting too hot and to maintain a nice clean burn! Let the container cool before touching.

Too shallow of a melt pool will keep the candle from releasing the best amount of fragrance into the room. Too deep of a melt pool means the wick is too big for the candle and the candle will burn too hot , which means the soy candles wax will burn up too fast and the wick would need to be trimmed much more often.

Another tip is to keep your soy candles away from drafts to prevent smoking and soot. Soy candles produce little soot when burned properly, but any candle will smoke and create soot if exposed to too much air, which is what happens if there is a draft.

If you are experiencing problems with your wick not staying lit or maybe creating a mushroom ball on the tip of the wick, It just needs to be trimmed a bit, turn if off trim and lit again. In some cases the wick can drown in the wax so just throw a bit of wax to uncover the wick and relit.  To trim it, make sure the wax is firm and cool to the touch, then use your fingers to pinch off the burnt top of the wick. Keeping your wick trimmed to about 1/4in.  will also keep your soy candles from smoking and causing soot.

Discontinue use when 1/2 inch of wax remains. Keep away from drafts, children, pets ab flammable objects. Burn on fireproof holder and for 4 hrs. at a time. NEVER leave a burning candle unattended.

Warning for Wax Melts:

To prevent fire and serious injury, burn candle within sight. Keep away from drafts. Keep out of reach from children and pets. Never burn candle on or around anything that can catch fire. Remove wax melt from package before use. Use only in warmers designed for wax melts. Never add water or cover pot. Do not heat if pot contains less than 1/2" of wax.

 

Fire Safety & Candles (please read)

There’s a special beauty and tranquility to candles, but a lighted candle is also an open flame, and a potential fire hazard if not carefully monitored. In fact, accidental candle fires account for approximately four percent of all U.S. residential fires.

A study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests that 85 percent of candle fires could be avoided if consumers followed three basic safety rules:

• Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• Never burn a candle on or near anything that might catch fire.
• Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.

The National Candle Association urges consumers to always follow the basic rules of fire safety when burning candles.

How to Burn a Candle Safely

Before lighting

Trim the wick to ¼ inch each time before burning. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping or flaring.

Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candle use. It should be heat resistant, sturdy, and large enough to contain any drips or melted wax.

Burn candles in a well-ventilated room.

Place the candleholder on a stable, heat-resistant surface. This will also help prevent possible heat damage to counters and table surfaces and prevent glass containers from cracking or breaking.

Keep the wax pool clear of wick trimmings, matches and debris at all times.

Avoid drafts, vents or air currents. This will help prevent rapid or uneven burning, sooting, and excessive dripping.

Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on burn time and proper use.

 

While burning 

Never touch or move a burning candle. Never move a votive or container candle when the wax is liquefied.

Don’t burn a candle all the way down. For a margin of safety, discontinue burning a candle when 2 inches of wax remains (1/2 inch if in a container).

Place burning candles at least three inches apart from one another. This is to make sure they don’t melt one another, or create their own drafts that will cause the candles to burn improperly.

Extinguish a candle if the flame becomes too high or flickers repeatedly. Let the candle cool, trim the wick, and check for unwanted drafts before re-lighting.

Always keep the candle within your sight. If you are going to leave the room, be sure to first blow out all candles.

Always burn candles in a well-ventilated room. Don’t burn too many candles in a small room or in a “tight” home where air exchange is limited.

Never use a candle as a night light.

Be very careful if using candles during a power outage. Flashlights and other battery-powered lights are safer sources of light during a power failure. Never use a candle during a power outage to look for things in a closet, or when fueling equipment – such as a lantern or kerosene heater.

Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire. Keep burning candles away from furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations, etc.

Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. Do not place lighted candles where they can be knocked over by children, pets or anyone else.

 

When extinguishing

Use a candle snuffer to extinguish a candle. It’s the safest way to prevent hot wax from splattering.

Never use water to extinguish a candle. Water can cause the hot wax to splatter and might break a glass container.

Make sure the candle is completely out and the wick ember is no longer glowing before leaving the room.

Don’t touch or move the candle until it has completely cooled.

Never use a knife or sharp object to remove wax drippings from a glass holder. It might scratch, weaken, or cause the glass to break upon subsequent us

Candle Fire Statistics

• Nearly 10,000 residential fires are caused each year by the careless or inappropriate use of candles.

• These bedroom fires caused 32% of deaths associated with candle fires and 47% of associated injuries.
• On average, 25 home candle fires are reported per day.
• Falling asleep was a factor in 11% percent of the home candle fires and 30% of the associated deaths.
• More than half (58%) of home candle fires occurred when some form of combustible material was left or came too close to the candle.
• December is the peak time of year for home candle fires. In December, 11% of home candle fires began with decorations, compared to 4% the rest of the year.

Its extremely important to follow all burning instructions and to keep your soy candles away from anything flammable, out of reach of children and pets.