Candle soot - that unattractive, messy black gunk that attaches itself to the inside of your candle jars and sometimes your walls. While soot may not be completely unavoidable (you are burning fuel after all), you can get a cleaner burn as follows:
Trim your wick to 1/4 inch before you light your candle every time. Nail clippers work great for this job.
Keep the candle flame away from any drafts such as windows, air vents or high traffic areas. This includes putting tea lights, votives or pillars into a cylindrical glass container.
Use candles with cotton wicks. (We use a reinforced, braided cotton wick designed for a more consistent burn with our soy candles.)
Remove any debris from your (non-burning) candle, such as matches or wick remnants.
Stop burning a candle when only 1/2 inch wax remains in the container.*
*We encourage reusing or recycling your candle containers. To remove remaining wax, pour hot water into the candle and allow the wax to rise to the top. Once cooled, you can safely remove the wax and wicks from the candle. Wipe out excess wax with paper towel (you can use some rubbing alcohol and/or vinegar to remove stubborn remnants). Wash your container with warm water and soap - it's ready to reuse, repurpose or recycle!
To clean soot out of your candle jar,
Extinguish the flame and wait for the wax to cool.
Wipe the soot with a paper towel - if a dry paper towel doesn't work well, you can dampen it with water or water/rubbing alcohol blend.
Allow candle to dry out completely and trim wick before relighting.
TIP! Burn a candle on the counter in your bathroom under your mirror as you shower and the mirror will not fog! WARNING: Never burn a candle near combustible materials.
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