Posted on October 8th, 2023.

Candles hold the power to transform a space, creating an atmosphere of warmth and tranquility. To ensure your favorite scents linger longer and burn brighter, proper candle care is essential. As a Candle and Skin Care E-commerce based in Brooklyn, we're sharing practical tips on do-it-yourself (DIY) candle care to help you maximize the longevity and enjoyment of your favorite aromas.

Understanding Your Candles

Before diving into DIY care, it's crucial to understand the composition of your candles. At Brooklyn Essence, our candles are crafted from 100% soy wax, derived from soybeans for a cleaner and eco-friendly burn. Understanding the type of wax and wick used in your candles sets the foundation for effective care.

Choosing the Right Location

Where you place your candles matters. Keep them away from drafts, as these can lead to uneven burning and potential wax tunneling. Direct sunlight can affect the color and fragrance, so opt for a cool, shaded spot. Ensure the surface is flat to prevent dripping and tilting.

Trimming the Wick

Proper wick maintenance is key to a clean burn. Before each use, trim the wick to approximately 1/4 inch. This prevents excessive flickering, soot buildup, and uneven burning. A trimmed wick ensures a controlled flame and maximizes the lifespan of your candle.

The First Burn Matters

When embarking on the delightful journey of igniting a new set of candles, paying attention to the inaugural burn is paramount. Letting the flame dance until the entire surface metamorphoses into a luminous pool of melted wax is not merely a ritual; it's a strategic measure that imbues the candle with a lasting memory. This crucial step serves as a safeguard against potential tunneling issues in the future.

Creating a Memory for Optimal Candle Performance

Allowing the wax to uniformly liquefy during that first burn establishes what candle aficionados fondly refer to as a 'memory.' This phenomenon is akin to a candle's initiation into a world of steady and consistent burning. It's a ritual of sorts, where the candle learns to spread its warmth evenly, ensuring that every subsequent burn is a symphony of fragrance and illumination. For our exquisite soy candles from Brooklyn Essence, this initiation ritual becomes especially pivotal, paving the way for an aromatic journey characterized by both uniformity and longevity.

The significance of this inaugural burn extends beyond the immediate pleasure of witnessing a wax pool gracefully form. It acts as a preventative measure against the notorious concern of tunneling. Tunneling occurs when the candle burns down the center, leaving untouched wax along the sides, a less-than-ideal scenario for both aesthetics and optimal fragrance release. By patiently allowing the entire surface to become a molten pool during the first burn, you're essentially imparting a lesson to your candle, instructing it to burn evenly and avoid this potential issue down the aromatic road.

Soy candles, like the ones meticulously crafted by Brooklyn Essence, deserve a spotlight during this initiation process. The unique composition of soy wax, derived from soybeans, makes this inaugural burn even more critical. Soy wax has a lower melting point compared to paraffin wax, allowing it to embrace the memory-making process more readily. As the wax pool forms, it sets the stage for subsequent burns to emanate fragrance consistently, ensuring that each lighting experience is as captivating as the first.

At Brooklyn Essence, we understand that the first burn is not just a momentary act but a commitment to the longevity of your aromatic indulgence. This is where the magic of fragrance release truly begins. The even liquefaction of soy wax during the initial burn paves the way for a symphony of scents to waft through your space with each subsequent lighting. It's an investment in a future where your candles not only illuminate the room but also create an olfactory tapestry that tells the story of craftsmanship, care, and commitment to your sensory experience.

In essence, the first burn is not just a prerequisite; it's a promise. A promise from your candle to deliver its best, ensuring that every moment spent in its aromatic embrace is a testament to the craftsmanship and dedication embedded in each candle from Brooklyn Essence. So, as you embark on your candle-lit journey, remember: let the first burn be the prologue to a fragrant narrative that unfolds with each flicker and dance of the flame. Your aromatic adventure awaits.

DIY Candle Care: Extending the Life of Your Fragrance

Now that you've set the foundation, let's delve into DIY candle care techniques to enhance the longevity of your favorite scents.

Realigning Off-Centered Wicks

If you notice your candle's wick drifting off-center, wait until the wax is partially melted. Gently nudge the wick back to the center using a non-flammable tool like a wick dipper. This ensures an even burn and prevents wax buildup on one side.

Wax Pool Maintenance

For an optimal burn, allow the wax pool to reach the edges of the container during each use. This prevents tunneling and encourages an even burn throughout the candle's life. Be patient during the first few burns, ensuring the wax melts uniformly.

Extinguishing Without Smoke

Avoid blowing out your candles, as this can produce smoke and a lingering burnt scent. Instead, use a candle snuffer or gently dip the wick into the melted wax using a wick dipper. This minimizes smoke and preserves the fragrance.

Long-Term Care for Sustained Enjoyment

As you continue to enjoy your candles, long-term care becomes essential for sustained fragrance and burn quality.

Storage Considerations

When not in use, store your candles in a cool, dark place. This prevents color fading and maintains the integrity of the fragrance. Keep them away from heat sources, as excessive heat can soften and warp the wax.

Reviving Fragrance Intensity

Over time, you may notice a subtle decrease in fragrance intensity. To revive it, place the candle in a closed room for a few hours before burning. This allows the fragrance to concentrate, ensuring a more potent scent release.

Cleaning Container Residue

Residual wax can accumulate on the sides of the container, affecting the aesthetics and potentially impeding the wick. To clean, gently scrape off the wax using a butter knife or similar tool. Wipe the container with a soft cloth to restore its original appearance.

Troubleshooting and Common Issues

Even with meticulous care, occasional issues may arise. Knowing how to troubleshoot ensures you can address concerns promptly.

Addressing Soot Buildup

If you notice black soot on the container or around the wick, it may be an indication of a too-long wick or a drafty environment. Trim the wick and relocate the candle to a draft-free area to resolve this issue.

Correcting Uneven Burning

Uneven burning can result from various factors, including wick length or placement. To correct this, ensure the wick is properly trimmed and centered before each use. Rotate the candle periodically to encourage uniform melting.

Managing Wax Tunneling

Tunneling occurs when the wax burns down the center, leaving unmelted wax along the sides. To remedy this, perform longer burns during each use, allowing the wax to pool evenly. If tunneling persists, you can use a wick dipper to gently push the edges of the wax toward the center.

Elevate Your Candle Experience

Caring for your candles is an investment in prolonged enjoyment and enhanced fragrance experiences. At Brooklyn Essence, we're committed to providing candles that not only captivate your senses but also stand the test of time. For personalized guidance or to explore our curated collection, don't hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. Elevate your candle experience with Brooklyn Essence, where every flame tells a story of craftsmanship and care.