How to care for your candles

On this page we aim to give you some advice on how to care for your candles so that you can enjoy them properly and safely. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, check out the FAQ page or get in touch.

How to burn your candle safely
It’s important that you follow the general safety advice below when burning your candles:

• Never leave a burning candle unattended and keep burning candles out of reach of children and pets.
• Never burn a candle on any surface that might catch fire. It is important to 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.
• A general rule of thumb is to make sure the candleholder is at least 30% bigger at the base of the candle to capture dripping wax and protect your surfaces from heat.
• A candle flame may generate significant heat so always ensure there is a gap of at least 60cm above the candle and position it well away from flammable materials.
  Never light a candle inside a bookshelf!
• Do not burn a candle in any glass item not specifically designed for candles. Glass candleholders are specifically manufactured to withstand the temperature changes that occur when burning a candle. Everyday glassware is not designed for burning candles.
• Don't move any candle that is burning, as the wax could spill and cause severe burns.
• Always light candles in a draught-free area. In Singapore it’s particularly important to watch out for fans, air-conditioning vents and ceiling fans. This will help prevent rapid, uneven burning, and avoid flame flare-ups and sooting. Draughts can also blow lightweight curtains or papers into the flame where they could catch fire.
• Don't burn a candle completely – dispose of it once it has burnt to within 2cm of the base
• Always remove labels and wrapping before lighting candles.
• Remember to put your candle out carefully – make sure it is completely extinguished and the wick ember is no longer glowing before leaving the room. It is better to snuff a candle out rather than blow on it, as the liquid wax may be sprayed over surfaces and could damage your furniture.

But don’t worry if you do spill some wax, you can follow these simple instructions to remove it:

• If you spill candle wax on a table top or other similar surface, let the wax cool then use a plastic spatula to scrape off the excess and a mild abrasive cleaner to remove the rest.
• Wax drippings can be removed from most candleholders by running hot water over them.
• Never use a knife or a sharp object to remove wax drippings from a glass candleholder. The knife might scratch or weaken the glass, causing it to break.

Follow these simple tips to help keep your candles burning well and looking as good as new!

• Always trim wicks to 1cm before burning to help reduce smoke. You should also remove wick debris before burning because it may catch fire and cause the candle to self-destruct.
• Extinguish your candle if the flame becomes too high or flickers repeatedly. Let it cool, trim the wick, and check for unwanted drafts before re-lighting.
• The first time you light your pillar candle, let it burn as close as possible to the rim to prevent tunnelling. A general rule of thumb is to always burn it for 1 hour per 2.5cm of diameter each time you light it. This allows a pool of wax to develop, preventing the candle wall from falling in.
• Place candles at least 8cm apart so they don't melt one another, or create their own draught that will cause the candles to burn incorrectly.
• Try rotating your candle if it starts burning unevenly – it might be affected by a slight draught.
• Try and avoid placing your candle in a draught - this will help prevent rapid or uneven burning, sooting, and excessive dripping.
• If black discoloration builds up on the inside of your candle container (eg. hurricane glass or lantern) clean with a damp paper towel or wet wipe after cooled. Allow the container to dry thoroughly before relighting.
• It is advisable to place candles in a large enough container to give them as much ‘space’ as possible for maximum flow of oxygen.

Last but not least, here are a few tips on how to store your candles:

• Store your candles in a cool, dark and dry place and keep similar scents together.
• Tapered or dinner candles should be stored flat to prevent warping. Some even say that it will help to put the tapers in your refrigerator for an hour before burning. If you do so make sure you put them in a bag first or the wick will absorb moisture.
• Keep your candles out of direct sunlight or harsh indoor lighting to avoid the wax fading in colour.
• Remove dust or fingerprints from your candle by gently rubbing the surface with a piece of nylon (you can use a stocking!) or a soft cloth. The cloth can be dry or slightly dampened with water.