The Art and Science of Burning Scented Candles
There is nothing quite like lighting a beautifully scented soy wax candle to create a calm, warm, and inviting atmosphere at home. However, to get the most value, fragrance throw, and burning time out of your candle, proper candle care is essential.
1. The Critical First Burn
When lighting your soy candle for the very first time, let it burn until the entire top layer of wax has completely melted from edge to edge. This usually takes 2 to 3 hours depending on the diameter of the jar. Soy wax has a 'memory'—if extinguished prematurely, it creates a narrow tunnel down the center, wasting valuable scented wax.
2. Always Trim Your Cotton Wick
Before every single lighting, trim your wick to approximately 5mm (1/4 inch). Trimming prevents large flickering flames, excessive soot, and mushrooming at the tip of the wick. A trimmed wick guarantees a slow, steady, and clean burn.
3. Where to Position Your Scented Candle
- Keep away from drafts: Ceiling fans, air conditioning vents, and open windows cause uneven burning and smoking.
- Burn on heat-resistant surfaces: Always place your candle jar on a coaster, tray, or ceramic tile.
- Limit burn sessions to 4 hours: Burning a candle for longer than 4 hours can cause the jar to overheat and the fragrance oils to dissipate too quickly.
Find Your Signature Room Fragrance
At Home Centric & Scents, our scented candles are hand-poured with natural soy wax and lead-free cotton wicks for a pure, non-toxic aromatic experience. Visit our stores at Hison Plaza Nairobi or West End Mall Kisumu, or order online with same-day delivery.