1. Burn only beeswax or soy candles, which burn cleaner than those made with paraffin wax, which is a petroleum product.
2. Ensure the wick is the correct size for the thickness of the candle. Avoid too thick wicks and those with a wire core that keeps the wick upright. Burn candles with thin, braided wicks that curl over when burned. The wick should burn down evenly with the wax.
3. Avoid multiple wick candles.
4. Trim the wick to ¼ inch before lighting.
5. Keep your candle in a draft-free area. The goal is a low, even flame.
6. Don’t burn your candle in a narrow mouth container, which will cause unsteady air flow or increase flicker. Candles poured into glass jars or ceramic containers can often be problematic.
7. Only burn candles made of hard wax.
8. Avoid highly aromatic candles. Ensure the scent used in the candle is specifically formulated for candles and avoid wax that contains volatile aromatic hydrocarbons.
9. Cease burning any candles that leave sooty residues on candle holders or surrounding surfaces.
10. Increase ventilation in rooms where candles are burning, while avoiding direct drafts on the candles.
11. Extinguish candles after one hour of continuous burning and allow them to cool before relighting.
Photo: Taken by me in my home.
Source of info: Wendy Priesnitz is the Editor of Natural Life Magazine and a journalist with over 35 years of experience.
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