Care
Candle care guide
Five minutes of care in the first hour decides how well a candle burns for the rest of its life.
Coconut wax rewards a little attention. Five minutes of care in the first hour of a candle's life decides how well it burns for the rest of it.
The one rule that matters most
On the first burn, let the melted wax reach the edge of the vessel before you put it out, usually 2–3 hours. Wax has a memory. If you blow it out while there is still a ring of solid wax around the rim, the candle will tunnel down the middle and never recover that wax.
Every burn
- Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before lighting, every single time. An untrimmed wick is the cause of nearly every smoking, sooting or oversized flame.
- Burn for 2–4 hours at a time, never longer. Past four hours the vessel overheats and the wick starts to mushroom.
- Keep it away from draughts, vents, open windows, fans. A flickering flame burns unevenly and leaves soot on the glass.
- Let it cool completely before relighting or moving it.
- Stop at 1/2 inch of wax. Burning a candle dry can crack the vessel and scorch the surface underneath.
Safety
- Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Keep away from children, pets, curtains, bedding and anything else flammable.
- Always burn on a level, heat-resistant surface.
- Never move a candle while it is lit or while the wax is liquid.
- Do not use water to put out a candle. A snuffer or lid is best; blowing it out works but smokes more.
Getting the most scent from a room
Scent throw depends as much on the room as on the candle. A smaller, closed room will always smell stronger than an open-plan space. Light the candle 20–30 minutes before guests arrive, keep doors closed while the melt pool forms, and avoid burning two competing fragrances in the same space.
Troubleshooting
The flame is huge, or it smokes
The wick is too long. Put the candle out, let it cool, trim to 1/4 inch, and remove any trimmings from the wax before relighting.
It is tunnelling down the middle
The first burn was cut short. You can sometimes recover it by burning for a long session until the pool reaches the edge. If the tunnel is deep, the wax is lost.
The top looks bumpy or frosted after burning
Normal for natural coconut wax. It is a cosmetic effect of the wax re-setting at room temperature and does not affect burn or scent.
I can barely smell it
Give it a full melt pool, and give your nose a break, you stop noticing a fragrance you have been sitting in. Step out of the room for a few minutes.
Car diffusers
- Hang where it will not swing into the driver's line of sight or block a vent you rely on.
- Do not let it rest against the dashboard, upholstery or any painted or plastic surface, fragrance oil can mark them.
- Scent is strongest for the first week and fades gradually over about 30 days.
- Refresh the scent by lightly scoring the surface of the wood, not by adding oil.
Room and body sprays
- Shake gently before use. Natural fragrance oils separate as they sit.
- Spray for a room into the air, not at fabric, and hold about arm's length from any surface.
- Test on an inconspicuous corner before spraying onto upholstery or linen.
- For skin, patch test on your inner arm first and stop if irritation occurs.
- Avoid contact with eyes. Keep out of reach of children.
Storage
Store candles, melts and sprays somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight. Coconut wax softens in heat and fragrance fades in UV light. Keeping the lid on between burns holds the scent in and keeps dust out.
Still stuck?
Email [email protected] with a photograph and we will tell you what we think is happening.
