Soy Candle Care & Safety
At Wickory & Whimsy, every candle is thoughtfully crafted to bring warmth, beautiful fragrance, and a little everyday comfort into your home.
Our soy candles are hand-poured in Wisconsin and paired with handcrafted concrete vessels. Following proper candle care and safety guidelines will help you enjoy your candle while protecting your home and maintaining its performance.
Before You Light Your Candle
A few simple steps before each burn can help your candle perform at its best.
- Trim your wick: Before each use, trim your wick to approximately ¼ inch (6 mm). This helps maintain a controlled flame and minimizes excessive soot and carbon buildup.
- Choose a safe location: Place your candle on a stable, level, heat-resistant surface, away from curtains, paper, furniture, and other flammable materials.
- Avoid drafts: Keep your candle away from open windows, ceiling fans, air vents, and other sources of moving air.
- Check your vessel: Inspect your concrete candle vessel before lighting. Do not use a candle if the vessel is cracked, damaged, or leaking.
- Keep the wax clean: Remove any wick trimmings, matches, or other debris from the wax before lighting.
Your First Burn
The first burn helps establish how your candle melts during future use.
Allow the wax to melt gradually toward the edges of the vessel, while following the maximum burn time indicated on your candle's safety label.
Our handcrafted concrete vessels may distribute heat differently than traditional glass containers. Avoid burning your candle longer than recommended in an attempt to achieve a completely even melt pool.
Important: Never burn your candle for more than four hours at a time.
While Your Candle Is Burning
- Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Keep candles away from children and pets.
- Keep burning candles at least 3 inches apart.
- Do not place candles near curtains, decorations, or other flammable materials.
- Do not touch or move your concrete vessel while the candle is burning.
- Never move a candle while the wax is liquid.
- Extinguish your candle if the flame becomes excessively high, flickers repeatedly, or produces excessive smoke.
Always follow the safety instructions provided on your candle's warning label.
Extinguishing Your Candle
Use a candle snuffer or gently extinguish the flame without splashing hot wax.
Never use water to extinguish a candle.
Allow the candle and concrete vessel to cool completely before touching, moving, or trimming the wick.
When to Stop Burning Your Candle
Discontinue use when approximately ½ inch of wax remains at the bottom of the vessel, or sooner if indicated on your candle's safety label.
Never allow the flame to come into direct contact with the bottom of the container.
Continuing to burn a candle with insufficient wax may cause the vessel to overheat.
Caring for Your Handcrafted Concrete Vessel
Each Wickory & Whimsy concrete candle vessel is individually handcrafted in small batches.
Because concrete is a naturally textured material, your vessel may feature subtle variations in color, small air bubbles, and minor surface irregularities. These characteristics are part of the unique appearance of handmade concrete.
To care for your vessel:
- Always place your candle on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
- Avoid exposing your candle to excessive moisture or extreme temperature changes.
- Do not place a hot vessel directly onto delicate furniture or other heat-sensitive surfaces.
- Do not use a vessel that develops cracks, leaks, or other structural damage.
- Allow your candle to cool completely before handling.
Our concrete vessels are intended for candle use. Do not attempt to refill them with candle wax at home.
Common Soy Candle Questions
Why does my soy candle have white marks or frosting?
Frosting is a natural characteristic of soy wax. It may appear as white patches or crystalline patterns on the surface or sides of your candle.
Frosting is primarily cosmetic and does not necessarily affect your candle's burning performance.
Why does my candle have an uneven surface?
Soy wax naturally expands and contracts as temperatures change. This may result in minor surface variations, especially after the candle has cooled following a burn.
These natural variations do not necessarily indicate a problem with your candle.
Why is my candle tunneling?
Tunneling occurs when a candle burns down the center while leaving unmelted wax around the edges.
To help encourage an even burn, allow the wax to melt gradually toward the edges during the first burn, without exceeding the recommended burn time.
If your candle continues to tunnel or burns unevenly, please extinguish it and contact us for assistance.
Why is there soot or mushrooming on my wick?
A small amount of carbon buildup may occur during burning.
To help minimize this, trim your wick to approximately ¼ inch before each use and avoid burning your candle near drafts.
If excessive soot or mushrooming occurs, extinguish the candle, allow it to cool completely, and trim the wick before relighting.
Why does my concrete candle vessel feel warm?
Concrete can absorb and retain heat while a candle is burning.
Always treat your candle vessel as hot during use and allow it to cool completely before touching or moving it.
Storing Your Candles
When not in use, store your candles in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight, excessive heat, and extreme temperature changes.
Proper storage can help preserve your candle's appearance and fragrance.
Need Help With Your Candle?
We want you to enjoy every Wickory & Whimsy candle.
If you have questions about candle care, fragrance performance, or your handcrafted concrete vessel, please contact us at info@wickoryandwhimsy.com.
Thank you for supporting handmade candles and choosing Wickory & Whimsy.
Light a wick. Find your whimsy.
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