Recently, I’ve started lighting some of my candles I’ve had for years. Never have I been a candle person. I’ve always had candles around for decoration but rarely did I light them. Weird, I know. Especially given my Danish heritage (lol).
It’s unclear what the cause of it is, but recently I’ve started lighting my candles. It’s likely a combination of things. But I’m mostly thinking it’s the quarantine and christmas combo.
But more importantly are the reasons I don’t tend to light candles often. I don’t love hanging out in the dark (which seems like the right environment for candles), I can be quite clumsy, I don’t love having to remember blowing them out, and I have way too many allergies.
Today I was simultaneously lighting two similar candles from the same store (shoutout to four of my best friends for buying almost the exact same candle when I first moved in a few years back) while face timing with my other best friend. I realized that I had no idea why my candle suddenly looked so uneven and I could barely light the wick. Long story short….below is a list of hilariously specific instructions that apparently help with burning your candle better.
**I found this while googling both the candles and found one listed on amazon below. I realized that I could just reorder the same candle know that I know I won’t sneeze constantly while it burns** Does anyone actually follow these suggested steps for burning?!
CANVAS Crisp linen, white musk, and sweet lily of the valley mingle with a dew drop accord for a clean, refreshing scent. Our candles are hand-poured with perfume-grade fragrance oils and a high quality soy wax blend. Each scent is formulated with a unique wick, wax, and fragrance combination to create a strong and clean burn. With proper care, APOTHEKE 11 oz candles burn for an average of 60-70 hours. HELPFUL HINTS Always light your candle for 3 hours the first time to create an even burning candle. To preserve the fragrance, do not burn your candle for more than 4 hours at a time. Before each burn trim the wick to 1/8 of an inch to avoid black smoke and residue. Always remove wick debris. If the wick requires centering, readjust it to the center (only when the candle is unlit). Allow the candle to solidify before relighting. Always burn on a flat, stable fireproof surface.
Recap of the Helpful Hints (with unhelpful commentary):
1. Always light your candle for 3 hours the first time to create an even burning candle.
**has anyone ever actually known to do this?
2. To preserve the fragrance, do not burn your candle for more than 4 hours at a time.
*my friend I was facetiming with while reading these very specific rules and said she actually would definitely believe this. so I’m taking her word it.
3. Before each burn trim the wick to 1/8 of an inch to avoid black smoke and residue.
*never have I ever cut a candle
4. Always remove wick debris.
*absolutely have never done this
5. If the wick requires centering, readjust it to the center (only when the candle is unlit).
*trying to picture how I actually do this?
6. Allow the candle to solidify before relighting.
*patience is a virtue
7. Always burn on a flat, stable fireproof surface.
*Candles 101