Candle Care Guide

Get the most out of your Affirmation Scents candles with these simple care tips. Proper candle care ensures a clean, even burn and maximizes your candle's 40+ hour lifespan.

1. FIRST BURN (Most Important!)

Your candle has memory. The first time you light your candle sets the tone for every burn after.

✨ FIRST BURN RULES:
- Burn for 2-3 hours minimum (or until the wax melts to the edges)
- Never blow out before a full melt pool forms
- This prevents tunneling and ensures an even burn every time

Why it matters: Soy wax has "memory" — if you don't create a full melt pool on the first burn, your candle will continue to burn down the center, leaving wax on the sides and shortening its life.

2. WICK TRIMMING

The golden rule: trim before every burn.

✂️ HOW TO TRIM:
- Trim wick to 1/4 inch before lighting
- Use wick trimmers, nail clippers, or scissors
- Remove any wick debris from the wax pool
- Never trim a warm wick — wait until the wax has cooled

Why it matters: A trimmed wick creates a cleaner, brighter burn with less soot and smoke. An untrimmed wick can create a large flame, cause smoking, and lead to uneven burning.

3. BURN TIME

⏰ IDEAL BURN TIME:
- Minimum: 2-3 hours (allows full melt pool)
- Maximum: 4 hours at a time
- Never burn for more than 4 consecutive hours

Why it matters: Burning too long can cause the wick to "mushroom" and create soot. Burning too short prevents a full melt pool and causes tunneling.

Pro tip: If you love having a candle lit all day, rotate between 2-3 candles throughout the day rather than burning one continuously.

4. SAFETY FIRST

Keep your space safe while enjoying your candle:

🔥 SAFETY ESSENTIALS:
- Never leave a burning candle unattended
- Keep away from drafts, vents, fans, and air currents
- Place on a stable, heat-resistant surface
- Keep out of reach of children and pets
- Keep away from flammable materials (curtains, books, bedding)
- Burn within sight — always
- Don't move a candle while it's lit or the wax is hot

🚫 WHEN TO STOP:
- Stop burning when 1/2 inch of wax remains
- Continuing to burn beyond this point can overheat the container

5. TROUBLESHOOTING

TUNNELING (wax only melts in the center):
- Solution: Burn for 2-3 hours minimum each time
- Fix existing tunneling: Use a foil tent to trap heat and melt remaining wax

SOOT OR BLACK SMOKE:
- Solution: Trim wick to 1/4 inch before every burn
- Also check: Is candle in a drafty area? Move to stable location

WEAK SCENT:
- Solution: Burn in smaller rooms for stronger scent
- Try burning 2 candles in larger spaces
- Make sure room isn't too drafty (disperses scent)

UNEVEN BURN:
- Solution: Rotate candle 180° halfway through burn time
- Ensure candle is on a level surface
- Keep away from drafts and fans