Richly Scented Candle Safety
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Remember the phrase, “When in doubt put it out” and take it seriously! Warnings on candles, especially those Richly Scented Candles you know and love, should be read carefully.
Everything from the size of the wick to how you cut the scented candle can influence how smoke and soot are produced, and how safe the Richly Scented Candle is. For instance, a wick should be cut to 1/4 length and be in the middle of the candle. The will lessen the amount of smoke and soot produced. Scented candle in particular tend to create a lot of smoke and soot, so it’s important to get this right.
Keeping the wick at 1/4 length will yield the best burn time. Sometimes the candle can burn crooked if the wick is bent to one side, but you can always use a small object to trim it if that happens.
Candle Storage Locations
Keep candles away from drafts or any wind/air source. When wind comes through a doorway, window, or AC, drafts can decrease the burn time of the candle and create additional smoke. This leads to uneven burning and can create a dirty inside of your house!
Do not place anything flammable, such as paper, matchboxes, napkins, too close to the candle. It’s not limited to those - really, anything flammable poses a risk.
Make sure there are no kids or animals anywhere near your Richly Scented Candle. The wax can cause burns and if the flame is still burning it could light clothing, furniture or anything else nearby on fire.
Safety For Different Types Of Candles
Pillar Candle Safety
Believe it or not, candles have their own memory, and the first time you use a pillar candle, you’ll need to establish a “memory burn.” For a quick rule of thumb, always burn a pillar candle using a 1:1 time:candle diameter ratio. So for a 3″ candle, burn it for 3 hours.
This is the best way to keep the wax self-contained with a pillar candle.
If a candle can’t develop an appropriate “memory burn,” you run into several problems: the center of the candle will burn far too quickly and dampen the scent, the wax will run over the edges and you may even generate too much smoke.
Other Scented Candles
Votive candles can burn for up to 15 hours when used correctly - but if you don’t follow the advice here, they might only last 30 minutes! Container candles, on the other hand, should leave little or no wax left when used properly and you can get a nice container when finished.
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Richly Scented Soybean Candles
Filed Under Candle Safety, Paraffin Candles, Richly Scented Candle, Scented Candles, Soy Candle | Leave a Comment
Soybean candles are all the rage. The result of students winning a $5000 contest given by the soybean industry, soy bean candles are now a staple in many homes, including many of our readers’.
The candle wax is made by processing the soybean oil in much the same way oils are processed to make margarine. Soybeans are renewable in that millions of acres are grown every year. Midwestern states are practically the OPEC of the future.
There are many other benefits to natural soy and vegetable candles. They produce less soot and more importantly, less toxic soot. Paraffin candles release organic molecules like benzene and it’s derivative, toluene. When deciding on the perfect Richly Scented Candle, it’s important to make sure you’re also protecting the environment, so soybean candles are great by this measure as well.
These chemicals can be carcinogenic, in other words, may cause cancer. Paraffin soot may contain 11 toxins, which are reported by the EPA at this link: EPA Report.
Since there is less soot and it is water-soluble, there is less residue on furnishings and ceilings. Some churches have required that only soy candles be burned to cut down on candle smoke and to reduce the damage. Soy candle wax burns longer and cooler, another environmental benefit if you’re a fan of the Richly Scented Candle.
Therefore, there is less potential damage for starting fires. Soy candles in the type of jars we recognize as jelly jars are the perfect size for burning. Not only do the candles burn all the way to the bottom, the size is perfect in that there is no wax left around the inside of the glass. Soy candles are really perfect for that Richly Scented Candle you’ve always wanted.
Lids can quickly extinguish the candle, there are no drips and the jar can easily be cleaned with hot soapy water to be reused.
Spread the word about soy candles. It is a small thing but still significant in our drive towards a more earth friendly environment. You have a “locally” produced raw material, you have crafters who eagerly pour beautiful candles and take them out to craft fairs and farmers markets, the jars can be reused, and best of all, it’s an inexpensive, beautiful and soothing luxury.
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How To Make A Richly Scented Candle
Filed Under Candle Safety, Making Richly Scented Candles, Richly Scented Candle, Scented Candles, Soy Candle | Leave a Comment
If you don’t want to pay outrageous prices for that perfect Richly Scented Candle, or want an interesting craft project, creating your own scented candles at home is great. There are a few safety precautions, so don’t forget the following:
• Never leave the area with hot wax, because at 375 degrees F, it can catch fire! In the event that this happens, use a fire extinguisher, not water.
• Never allow the jar of wax touch the heat source. A wire rack in a pan should be hold the container, and watch the water level.
• If water contaminates the wax, just let the wax cool so that it doesn’t boil and splash out hot wax. After it has cooled, the water will separate from the wax to allow reuse.
• Never use any flammable products to add the scents to the candles. Have one “test candle” and burn it in a fire safe area with an extinguisher nearby.
Now you’ll need to get your ingredients. These include wax , wick, scent, and dye. At home you’ll need to have an open heat source, double boiler, thermometer, mold, and skewers. All the necessary ingredients for making that perfect Richly Scented Candle. Next comes making the actual candles:
- Use an easily accessible area covered by newspaper for mess control.
- Place the container holding the wax in a pot of water to create a double boiler. Place the pot on your stove at medium, coming to a slow boil.
- Make sure your mold is clean and that understand it if it’s a candle mold kit.
- Once the wax is at 175 degrees F it is ready.
- Slowly add your color to the wax and store. You can always add more if needed. Cooling might change the color as well.
- Add a small amount of scented oil. Then you can pour the wax into your mold.
- Remove the wax container from the water and set on a dry cloth, then pour the wax into your mold.
- Wax will shrink as it cools to you may have to add more. Don’t touch the mold or let air into it.
- Test the candle by poking it every 20 minutes and pour more wax into the hole. In 4-5 hours it should be set.
- Make sure to put a hole in the center if using a cup, as this will hold the wick later.
- You can use cold water to place the mold into to speed up the process.
- The insert the wick, creating a small wax mold around it if needed.
- Trim the wick if needed.
With the safety precautions and instructions above, you’re well on your way to making your own set of scented candles!
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