Candle Safety Guide
Candle Safety Guide
We made your candle to be enjoyed — which means we need you to burn it right. This guide takes two minutes to read and can save your furniture, your pets, and your eyebrows.
Never leave a burning candle unattended. This is the one rule that matters more than all the others combined. Candles are safe when respected. They’re not when forgotten. Every tip below exists to help you enjoy your candle to its full potential — but this one is non-negotiable.
The First Burn Is the Most Important
Get this right and everything else takes care of itself.
Burn Until the Wax Melts Edge to Edge
Your first burn should last long enough for the entire top layer of wax to become liquid all the way to the jar walls. This is called a full melt pool. If you blow it out too early, the wax will “tunnel” straight down the middle and you’ll lose 30–40% of your candle. Most jars need 2–4 hours for a full first burn. Don’t rush it.
Trim Your Wick to 1/4 Inch Before Every Burn
A long wick burns hotter, produces more soot, causes flickering and mushrooming, and can even crack your jar. Trim it every single time — before you light, after the wax has hardened. Nail scissors work great. Wick trimmers work even better. A mushroomed wick is a sign you didn’t trim — pinch it off before relighting.
Don’t Burn for More Than 4 Hours at a Time
Beyond 4 hours, the jar heats up significantly, the wick can move or “float,” and the fragrance throw actually diminishes as the wax overheats. Blow it out, let it cool completely, trim the wick, and relight when you’re ready. Your candle will last longer and smell better.
Let Your Candle Cool Completely Before Moving It
Hot wax is liquid. Liquid in a glass jar that you just picked up is a spill waiting to happen. Let the wax solidify completely (usually 1–2 hours) before moving your candle to a new spot. Never carry a lit candle or a candle with a liquid wax pool.
Do This. Not That.
The quick-reference version for when you don’t have time to read everything.
✓ Do
- Burn on a flat, heat-resistant surface
- Keep away from drafts and vents
- Trim wick to 1/4” before every burn
- Keep the wax pool free of debris
- Store in a cool, dry place out of sunlight
- Keep out of reach of children and pets
- Use a snuffer or lid to extinguish
- Burn in a well-ventilated space
✗ Don’t
- Never leave a burning candle unattended
- Don’t burn near curtains, paper, or fabric
- Don’t burn on the last 1/2” of wax
- Don’t move a candle while lit or liquid
- Don’t use water to extinguish a flame
- Don’t burn for more than 4 hours straight
- Don’t place directly on furniture without a tray
- Don’t burn in a completely sealed room
How to Get the Maximum Burn from Every Candle
Follow this sequence every time and your candle will burn cleaner, smell stronger, and last longer.
Before you light: Trim the wick to 1/4 inch. Remove any debris or burnt wick bits from the wax surface. Make sure the jar is on a stable, flat, heat-safe surface away from anything flammable.
Light it: Use a long match or lighter to avoid touching the jar. Light from the base of the wick, not the tip. If the wick doesn’t catch immediately, let it sit for a moment — don’t hold the flame there forever.
First 30 minutes: Check that the flame is steady. A flickering, dancing flame usually means a draft nearby — adjust the candle’s position. The flame should be roughly 1 inch tall and stable.
2–4 hours in: Check the melt pool. It should be liquid all the way to the edges. If it is, you can extinguish now or keep burning (max 4 hours total). If it’s not, keep going until it reaches the edges.
To extinguish: Use a candle snuffer or gently replace the lid. Avoid blowing it out — blowing pushes the wick into the wax and can cause smoke. If you must blow, do it from the side, not directly down.
After it cools: Once the wax is completely solid, trim the wick again. Cover with the lid to protect from dust. Repeat from Step 1 next time.
What to Do With the Jar When You’re Done
Our jars are worth keeping. Here’s how to clean them out.
The Freezer Method
Place the candle in the freezer for 1–2 hours. The wax will shrink and pull away from the glass, making it easy to pop out in one piece. Wipe out any residue with a paper towel, then wash with warm soapy water. Done.
The Hot Water Method
Pour hot (not boiling) water into the jar. The remaining wax will melt and float to the surface. Let it cool and solidify again, then remove the wax disc and dispose of it. Clean the jar with soap and warm water.
Repurpose It
Our jars work great as small planters, makeup brush holders, pen cups, jewelry dishes, or anything else that needs a beautiful little vessel. We designed them to be too good to throw away on purpose.
⚠️ Emergency Reference
In the unlikely event something goes wrong:
- Candle flame is too large or out of control: Do not use water. Smother with a metal lid, snuffer, or damp cloth. Evacuate the area if it’s spreading.
- Jar is cracking or extremely hot: Do not touch it. Smother the flame from above with a metal object. Let it cool completely before handling.
- Wax spill on fabric: Let the wax harden completely, then freeze the item for 30 minutes. Crack and peel the wax off, then treat the residue with a stain remover before washing.
- Wax spill on hard surfaces: Let it harden, then use a credit card or flat tool to lift the wax. Clean residue with a little rubbing alcohol or olive oil.
- Smoke detector triggered: Extinguish the candle, ventilate the room. It means the wick needed trimming or the room needed more airflow. Both are easy fixes.
For any fire emergency, call 911 immediately.