More Candle Care

Traditional Beeswax Candle Maintenance

Maintaining a traditional beeswax candle involves several key steps to ensure optimal performance, longevity, and safety. Follow these guidelines to make the most of your beeswax candle:

  1. Wick Trimming: Before lighting the candle and after each burn, trim the wick to about a quarter of an inch in length. For tapered candles, you can leave the wick slightly longer. Trimming the wick prevents excessive smoking and uneven burning.

  2. Contain Wax Pool: As the candle burns and after each burn, use a tool like a gentle thumb to push the edges of the melted wax inwards toward the center of the candle. This containment of the wax pool helps prevent dripping and ensures even burning.

  3. Burn Time: Follow the guideline of burning the candle for approximately one hour for every inch of its width. This practice helps avoid tunneling (where the candle burns down the center, leaving unused wax on the sides).

  4. Extinguishing: To extinguish the candle, press the wick into the melted wax pool using a non-flammable tool. This helps avoid smoke and prepares the wick for the next lighting. Straighten the wick and trim it to a quarter of an inch to maintain an optimal burn.

  5. Bloom Removal: Over time, a whitish patina called bloom might develop on pure beeswax candles. This is a natural sign of purity and quality, caused by minerals rising to the surface. You can gently wipe away the bloom using a lint-free cloth without affecting the candle's performance.

  6. Spacing: When burning multiple candles together, ensure they are spaced apart adequately. Too much heat generated by closely placed candles can cause neighboring candles to melt.

  7. Draft-Free Environment: Burn beeswax candles in a draft-free environment to prevent flickering and ensure a dripless burn. If you notice a flickering flame, it might indicate the presence of a draft.

  8. Essential Oils: Avoid adding essential oils directly to the molten wax pool of a candle. Instead, use an oil diffuser to enjoy fragrances without affecting the candle's performance.

  9. Versatility of Beeswax: Beeswax has been traditionally used for various household purposes, such as preventing squeaks in wooden floors, lubricating drawers, and protecting tools from binding and rust. It's also a valuable ingredient in creating body balms and cosmetics.

  10. Safety: Never leave a burning candle unattended. Keep the candle within your sight and on an even, fire-safe surface to prevent accidents.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us at candles@beeswaxworks.ca. We're here to help!