Candle care guide.

The first burn

The first burn sets the memory of the wax. Light your candle and let it burn until the melted wax reaches the edges of the container, usually 2 to 3 hours.

Putting the candle out too early leaves a ring of hard wax on the sides, and the candle will keep tunneling down the middle for the rest of its life.

Trim the wick

Trim the wick to about a quarter inch before every burn. A short wick gives a steady flame, a cleaner burn and less soot.

• Use a wick trimmer, nail scissors or your fingers on a cooled candle
• Remove any trimmed pieces from the wax before lighting
• If the flame is tall, flickering or smoking, the wick needs a trim

How long to burn

Burn your candle for no more than 4 hours at a time. Longer than that, the container heats up and the wick starts to mushroom.

Let the candle cool completely before you light it again.

Where to place it

Keep candles on a flat, heat-resistant surface, away from drafts, curtains, fans and air conditioning vents. A draft pulls the flame to one side and makes the candle burn unevenly.

Keep them out of reach of children and pets, and never leave a burning candle unattended.

When to stop burning

Stop burning when about a quarter inch of wax is left in the container. Burning past that point can overheat the vessel.

Reusing the vessel

To clean out the last of the wax, place the container in the freezer for a few hours, then lift the wax out with a butter knife. Wash with warm soapy water and the vessel is ready for a new life as a holder for brushes, matches or small things.

Reed diffusers

Place the reeds in the bottle and let them soak up the oil, then flip them once to start the scent.

• Flip the reeds every week or so for a stronger scent
• Use fewer reeds for a softer scent, more reeds for a fuller one
• Keep the bottle on a coaster or tray, as the oil can mark furniture
• Set it somewhere with a little air movement, not in direct sun

Wax melts

Place one or two cubes in a wax warmer. The wax releases its fragrance as it warms, with no flame involved.

When the scent fades, let the wax harden, then pop it out and add a fresh cube. Never add water to a wax warmer.

Room sprays

Shake before use and spray into the air rather than straight onto fabric or surfaces. Test on a hidden area first if you are spraying linens or upholstery, and keep the spray away from eyes and away from flames.

Safety

A few rules that apply to every candle in the house:

• Never leave a burning candle unattended
• Keep away from children, pets and anything that can catch fire
• Burn on a stable, heat-resistant surface
• Do not move a candle while it is lit or while the wax is liquid
• Stop burning when a quarter inch of wax remains