How to Burn a Candle Safely

A little candle care helps your Rooted Flame candle burn more evenly, smell beautiful, and stay safe from the first light to the last.

Before You Light It

• Place the candle on a stable, heat-resistant surface, away from draughts, curtains, paper, and anything that could catch fire.
• Keep it well away from children and pets, and never leave a burning candle unattended.
• Before each burn, trim the wick to around 5 mm. Remove loose wick trimmings from the wax before lighting.

The First Burn

For the first burn, allow the melted wax to reach close to the edge of the vessel. This helps the candle establish an even melt pool and reduces the chance of tunnelling. Follow the burn-time guidance supplied with your candle, and do not burn for longer than 4 hours at a time.

While It Is Burning

• Keep the wick centred and the flame steady. If the flame becomes very tall, smoky, or flickery, extinguish the candle, let it cool, and trim the wick before relighting.
• Never burn a candle on or near another heat source, and do not move it while the wax is liquid.
• Keep the wax pool free from matches, wick trimmings, and other debris.
• Burn the candle within sight and away from draughts, which can cause uneven burning or excess soot.

Black Smoke or an Unusually Large Flame

Black smoke usually means the flame is producing soot. It can happen when a wick is too long, the flame is affected by a draught, the melt pool contains debris, or the wick is not correctly suited to the candle. A tall, dancing flame or a carbon build-up, sometimes called a mushroom on the wick, is also a sign to stop and check the candle.

Extinguish the candle straight away if it produces persistent black smoke, a very large or unstable flame, or if the container becomes unusually hot. Let it cool completely, then remove any wick debris and trim the wick to around 5 mm. If the problem returns, do not relight the candle. Contact the candle maker or supplier for advice, as the wick may not be the right size for the candle.

When to Extinguish It

Stop burning when around 10 mm of wax remains at the base of the vessel, or sooner if the container becomes very hot. Extinguish the flame gently with a snuffer if you have one, or blow it out carefully. Never use water, and do not touch or move the candle until the wax and vessel have cooled completely.

Looking After Your Candle

• Between burns, keep the candle covered or stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
• Wipe soot from the inside rim with a soft, dry cloth once the vessel is fully cool.
• Do not leave a candle burning overnight, when you are leaving the room, or when you might fall asleep.

A Final Safety Note

Candles are a naked flame. Always follow any safety instructions supplied with your individual candle, and use your judgement if the candle behaves unusually. If in doubt, extinguish it.

These tips are general candle-care guidance. Product-specific instructions supplied with your candle should always take priority.