Susie Cushner
A few quick care tips can help you make candles last long and look
good.
To prevent tunneling, burn pillars no more than an hour at a
time per inch of diameter. A deep well in the center will weaken
the candle and cause it to collapse.
Trim wicks to a quarter inch before lighting. Trimming minimizes
the size of the flame, which reduces soot and allows candles to
burn more evenly. When buying candles, look for wicks that are
well centered.
For safety, stop using candles in glass containers when only a
half inch of wax remains. Stop burning pillars and tapers when
they get within two inches of their holders.
Store candles in a cool, dry place. Warm temperatures can deform
them and sap them of fragrance.
Although there is no such thing as a truly dripless candle,
beeswax candles and those that contain stearic acid, which
produces a hard wax with a high melting point, drip less than
other types. (Candles made with stearic acid are generally labeled
"dripless.") To minimize dripping, trim wicks to a quarter inch
and keep burning candles away from drafts and air-conditioning. It
may also help to wrap candles in foil and refrigerate them before
use.
To remove wax from a tabletop or tablecloth, rub with ice until
the wax hardens, then scrape gently. Or try a liquid wax remover.
