Candle Care tips
- Never leave a burning candle
unattended.
- Keep lighted candles out of the reach
of children and pets.
- Avoid burning candles near
combustible materials.
- Always store candles in a cool, dark,
dry place. They should be stored flat to prevent
warping.
- Before a party, light and extinguish
the candles. They'll light more quickly and easily
later.
- Avoid putting candles in drafts to
prevent rapid and uneven burning and excessive dripping.
- Keep wicks trimmed to one half inch.
Long or crooked wicks cause uneven burning and dripping.
- Clean solid candles with a piece of
nylon or use a touch of salad oil on a soft cloth.
- To remove wax from washable fabrics,
scrape off excess wax and run boiling water through the
material.
- Remove wax from holders by running
very hot water over them.
- Candles refrigerated before using
will burn more slowly and evenly. Wrap in foil or
plastic before refrigeration to prevent wicks from
absorbing moisture.
- Votive candles will clean easily if
you add 1/8" of water to the glass before inserting the
candle.
- Candles will fade if left in the
light for an extended period of time. Never put candles
in a window or directly expose to bright outdoor light
or indoor spotlights.
- Candles should always be burned in
proper candle-holders or bases.
- Extinguish candles when they get
within 2 inches of their holders or decorations.
- When blowing out a candle, hold your
finger in front of the flame and blow at it. The air
will flow around the finger and extinguish the candle
from both sides. This will prevent hot wax from
splattering.
- If a wick becomes too short to light,
carve away enough wax to expose the fresh wick, then
trim 1/4" off the top of the candle and burn the candle
to reform its appearance (tapers are the exception to
this rule.)
- Keep votive wicks centered and
trimmed to 1/4" while burning to prevent breaking the
glass.
Courtesty of The National
Candle Association
Frequently Asked
Questions
Here are some of the most
frequently asked questions about candles and their answers:
How are candles
made?
While modern candle-making processes vary, most candles are
made through the timeless process of placing a cotton wick
into wax which is then molded, dipped, extruded, pressed,
rolled, drawn or filled into a desired shape and size.
What is the best way
to store candles?
Candles should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place and, for
tapers, in a flat position to prevent warping. When stored
properly, candles can be enjoyed for years and play an
important role in traditions.
Does the industry
have standards for candles?
Domestic candle manufacturers have a long tradition of
making high quality, long-lasting and safe candles. National
Candle Association members – manufacturers and suppliers –
are working with the American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) to implement voluntary standards for
candles. Both Neo-Image Candlelight and North Americant
Candle are proud members of the National Candle Association.
Are candles safe to
use?
Candles are safe when burned properly and responsibly, and
according to manufacturers’ directions. When burning
candles, consumers should always follow these simple, common
sense steps:
What are the typical
ingredients in a candle?
A candle consists primarily of wax and a wick. Many candles
also contain dyes or pigments for color and fragrances for
scent as well as other minor ingredients.
Are candle wicks
made of lead?
The majority of wicks manufactured today in the U.S. are
made of 100 percent cotton – with no metal core. Those few
wicks with metal are typically zinc-core wicks. All of these
wicks are safe.
Even though the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
determined in 1974 that lead-core wicks do not present a
health hazard, the National Candle Association’s members
voluntarily agreed to stop using lead wicks. Companies
belonging to the National Candle Association make about 95
percent of the candles manufactured in the United States
today.
It is possible that a small percentage of imported candles
on the market today contain lead-core wicks. However, the
National Candle Association and the Consumer Product Safety
Commission have taken strong action to remove candles with
lead-core wicks from store shelves. This will help ensure
that all candles on the market today use safe wicks.
If a consumer is
still worried, how can he or she tell whether a candle has a
lead-core wick?
A consumer can determine if a candle has a lead-core wick by
using this simple test: Rub a piece of paper on the tip of
an unused metal wick. A lead-core wick will leave a gray
pencil-like mark, while zinc or tin will not.
It is important for consumers to know that wicks made with
cotton, paper, zinc, or non-metallic materials are safe.
Is it safe to
burncandles in a house with children?
Safety, including issues such as children’s health, is a top
priority for National Candle Association members. That is
why our organization adopted a voluntary ban on lead wicks
and supports the removal of candles with lead wicks from
store shelves.
What is soot?
Soot is a natural by-product of incomplete combustion and is
comprised primarily of carbon particles. Soot can be caused
by fireplaces, stoves, furnaces or even from cooking. If
candle wicks are kept trimmed and there is proper
ventilation with no drafts, there should be no incomplete
combustion and, therefore, no sooting from candles.
In any house, there are literally millions of airborne
particles that can adhere to surfaces. These particles
include a wide variety of naturally-occurring substances
such as dirt, dust and pollen. If windows are open,
particles may come from car or truck exhaust, barbecues and
burning leaves. Due to natural airflow, these particles tend
to adhere to ceilings, walls and window treatments. Because
of static electricity, they also tend to collect on or near
electrical appliances, TV or computer screens.
Do scented candles
produce more soot or smoke than non-scented candles?
Not necessarily. While unscented wax may tend to burn more
efficiently in general, it is the size of the wick and flame
that makes the most difference, not the fragrance. Candles
produced using appropriate raw materials should burn cleanly
if used properly.
What kind of quality
control testing do candle manufacturers perform?
Each NCA member company has its own quality control
procedures. Most member companies perform methodical testing
of their products to ensure optimum performance.
Do burning candles
cause air pollution?
When candles are burned properly, they pose no known health
risk.
What kind of label
information is required to be placed on candles?
No safety information is required on candle labeling.
However, most candle manufacturers voluntarily place safety
and use instructions on their candles. The National Candle
Association is working with the American Society of Testing
and Materials (ASTM) to create voluntary labeling standards
for the industry.
Courtesy of The National
Candle Association
