Candle Care Tips

Getting the Most From Your Premium Candles

A well-crafted candle is an investment in your home atmosphere. With proper care, your Ridisosteo candles can provide dozens of hours of beautiful illumination and fragrance. Following these guidelines will help ensure optimal performance, safety, and longevity for your luxury candles.

The First Burn: Setting the Stage

The first time you light your candle is perhaps the most critical burn of its life. This initial lighting establishes the "memory ring" that will influence how your candle burns for the remainder of its life.

The Complete Melt Pool Rule

When lighting your candle for the first time, allow it to burn until the entire top layer of wax has melted completely to the edges of the container. This creates a full "melt pool" that extends to the container walls.

Why is this important? Candle wax has memory. If you extinguish your candle before a complete melt pool forms, it will tend to follow the same pattern in subsequent burns, potentially creating a "tunnel" down the center and leaving wax along the walls. This phenomenon, known as tunneling, wastes wax and shortens your candle's useful life.

Depending on the size of your candle, achieving this first full melt pool typically takes:

• For 2-3 inch diameter candles: 1-2 hours
• For 3-4 inch diameter candles: 2-3 hours
• For candles larger than 4 inches: 3-4 hours

Plan your first burn for a time when you can supervise the candle continuously for the necessary duration.

Optimal Burning Practices

Trim Your Wick

Before each burn, trim your wick to approximately ¼ inch (6mm). This simple step:

• Promotes a cleaner, more even burn
• Reduces smoking and soot
• Prevents the flame from becoming too large
• Extends the life of your candle

We recommend using dedicated wick trimmers for the cleanest cut, though scissors can work in a pinch. Just be sure to remove the trimmed portion from the wax surface before lighting.

Burn Time Guidelines

For optimal performance:

• Minimum burn time: Always burn your candle long enough to create a complete melt pool (typically at least 1 hour).
• Maximum burn time: Don't burn your candle for more than 4 hours at a time. Extended burning can cause the wick to "mushroom" and create carbon buildup.
• Allow your candle to cool completely (approximately 2 hours) before relighting.

Mind Your Environment

The environment in which you burn your candle significantly affects its performance:

• Avoid placing candles in drafty areas, which can cause uneven burning and sooting.
• Keep candles away from fans, air conditioners, open windows, and busy doorways.
• Don't burn candles in direct sunlight, which can fade the color and affect the fragrance.
• For optimal scent throw, burn candles in appropriately sized rooms. A small candle may be overwhelmed in a large space, while a large candle might be too powerful for a small room.

Safety First

Safety should always be your priority when enjoying candles:

• Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
• Place candles on stable, heat-resistant surfaces.
• Maintain at least 3 inches (7.5cm) between burning candles.
• Keep burning candles away from flammable materials, including curtains, books, and decorative items.
• Discontinue use when only ½ inch (12mm) of wax remains at the bottom of the container.
• Extinguish candles properly using a snuffer or by dipping the wick into the melted wax and straightening it. Avoid blowing out candles, which can scatter hot wax and cause smoke.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Tunneling

If your candle has begun to tunnel:

1. For minor tunneling: Extend your burn time during the next use to allow the wax to melt completely to the edges.
2. For more severe tunneling: You can use the "aluminum foil method" – wrap foil around the top of the container, leaving a hole in the center for the flame. This reflects heat back onto the unmelted wax, helping to level the surface.

Mushrooming Wick

If you notice the wick developing a "mushroom" shape with carbon buildup:

1. Extinguish the candle and let it cool completely.
2. Carefully trim the wick to ¼ inch before relighting.
3. Consider shortening your burn sessions in the future.

Smoking or Sooting

If your candle is smoking excessively:

1. Extinguish the flame and check for drafts in the area.
2. Ensure the wick is properly trimmed.
3. Let the candle cool, then remove any debris from the wax pool.
4. Reposition the candle away from air currents before relighting.

Weak Scent Throw

If you're finding the fragrance less noticeable than expected:

1. Ensure you're using the candle in an appropriately sized space.
2. Allow sufficient burn time to develop a full melt pool, which maximizes fragrance release.
3. Consider "candle warming" – heating the candle without lighting it – which can emphasize certain notes.
4. Check the age of your candle – fragrances can diminish over time, especially if stored improperly.

Storing Your Candles

Proper storage extends the life and maintains the quality of your candles:

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, which can fade colors and degrade fragrances.
• Keep candles away from heat sources that could cause them to melt or warp.
• Cover container candles when not in use to protect the wax from dust and debris.
• For optimal fragrance preservation, consider storing candles in sealed containers or bags.
• Ideally, store candles at temperatures between 50-80°F (10-27°C).

Extending the Life of Your Ridisosteo Candles

With these additional tips, you can maximize both the lifetime and enjoyment of your premium candles:

Rotate Your Collection

If you have multiple candles, consider rotating through your collection rather than burning the same one continuously. This practice allows you to enjoy variety while giving each candle a rest period, which can help preserve its fragrance integrity.

Candle Accessories

Invest in quality candle accessories that enhance performance and safety:

• Wick trimmers for clean, precise cuts
• Candle snuffers for proper extinguishing
• Heat-resistant, decorative candle plates or trivets
• Glass hurricane shields to protect flames from drafts

Repurpose Your Containers

Ridisosteo containers are designed to be beautiful and reusable. Once your candle has been fully enjoyed:

1. To remove remaining wax, place the container in the freezer for several hours. The wax will contract and can often be popped out in one piece.
2. For stubborn wax residue, pour hot (not boiling) water into the container, leaving space at the top. The wax will melt and float to the surface, where it can be removed once cooled.
3. Clean the container with warm, soapy water.
4. Repurpose your container as a planter, makeup brush holder, desk organizer, or decorative vessel.

Our Commitment to Quality

Every Ridisosteo candle is crafted to provide an exceptional experience from first light to final flicker. If you encounter any issues with your candle's performance, please contact us. We stand behind our products and are always ready to help ensure your complete satisfaction.