No matter the occasion, lighting a candle can add a warm glow and enhance the ambiance of your home. This article is a comprehensive guide on how to light a candle and imbue your home with a comforting atmosphere.
Gathering Your Supplies
The basic supplies you need are a candle and a lighter or match. You may want an extra lighter or match if the initial one is too short or fails to light the candle. Additionally, it is best to select a candle that is appropriate for the location where you will be lighting it.
When selecting a candle, consider the size of the space in which you will be lighting it. If the space is small, you may opt for a smaller candle. Additionally, you should consider the type of wax the candle is made of.
Beeswax candles are known for their long-lasting burn time, while soy candles are known for their clean burn. If you want clean-burning soy candles, you should peruse the 96NORTH store.
Choosing the Right Candle
Pick a candle appropriate for the space in size, scent, type of wax, and wick. It should not be too big or too small; remember that the wax type may affect how long the candle will last.
Additionally, different types of wax produce different scents, so decide upon the aroma you want to fill your home before selecting the candle. Finally, check for an even wick, as an uneven wick can cause difficulties with lighting.
If you place the candle in a drafty area, choosing a candle with a larger wick is best, as this will help the candle burn more evenly. Additionally, if you use the candle in a small space, choosing a candle with a lower scent intensity is important, as a stronger scent may be overwhelming in a confined area.
Preparing The Wick And Candleholder
Before you light the candle:
- Make sure that the wick is primed by trimming it. The wick should sit in the candle’s center and be kept at just over an inch long. Keep the wick centered on the candleholder to ensure that the candle burns evenly.
- If you use a holder or jar, ensure it is secure so it doesn’t move while you light the candle.
- Place any candles outside the reach of pets and children as they may cause a fire hazard when lit.
When trimming the wick, use a wick trimmer or scissors to ensure the wick is cut to the correct length. If the wick is too long, it can cause the candle to burn too quickly and create a large flame. If the wick is too short, the candle may not burn.
Lighting The Candle
Once you’ve chosen your candle and trimmed the wick, you can finally light your candle. To light it:
- Light it directly from the wick.
- Hold the lighter or match far enough to not overheat and burn through the wax too quickly.
- If you have an issue with lighting, try using a thicker book of matches.
It is also possible to light multiple candles with one flame. When lighting multiple candles, keep the flame away from the wick of the other candles. Keeping a safe distance will help to prevent the flame from spreading and potentially causing a fire.
It is important to keep an eye on the candles while they are burning. Ensure to extinguish any candles burning too quickly or close to other objects.
Common Candle Lighting Issues
The most common issue when lighting a candle is being unable to get it lit quickly enough due to an overly short lighter or match. To remedy this issue, consider investing in a long book of matches or burning two matches at once.
Additionally, for tall candles or tea lights, use the Angle Method – hold your lighter at an angle against the wick until you see smoke rising from it before setting it upright and allowing it to catch fire.
Extinguishing The Candle
When you want to extinguish the flame, use a candle snuffer or blow out the flame from the top of the wick to avoid any potential smoke or bad odors from rising.
You can also use a damp cloth or towel to reduce smoke in small rooms or when dampening a larger candle. It is important to snuff out any flames completely before relighting them later.
When snuffing out a candle, it is important not to burn yourself. Keep your face and hands away from the flame, and use the snuffer or damp cloth to extinguish the flame. It is also important to keep the wick trimmed to 1/4 inch to prevent the flame from becoming too large and reduce the smoke produced when the candle is extinguished.
Safety Tips For Working With Candles
When working with candles, safety should be your number one priority. Remove your candles from combustible areas with items such as curtains or towels, and keep pets and children from playing with or near them. Additionally, use caution when blowing out a candle since hot wax or sparks can fly out and start fires.
Ensuring that the candles you use are in good condition is also important. Check for any cracks or chips in the wax, and ensure the wick is trimmed to the appropriate length. If the wick is too long, it can cause the flame to be too large and increase the fire risk. Also, never leave a burning candle unattended, and extinguish it before leaving the room.
What Are The Alternatives To Candles?
If you prefer not to use traditional candles, other options are available. Some electric candles even feature timers to turn off automatically after a certain amount of time has passed. When using these alternatives, follow all safety instructions closely.
In addition to electric candles, you can also use flameless wax melts. These are scented wax cubes that are heated up using a wax warmer. They are a great way to enjoy the scent of a candle without the flame. You can also find flameless wax melts in various scents, so you can easily find one that suits your needs.
Enhancing Your Candle Lighting Experience
While some individuals may prefer to keep their candle-lighting experience as simple as possible, others may want to make it even more special. Enhance your candle lighting experience by selecting an appropriate scent for the mood and atmosphere you want to create in your home. Consider placing your candles in festive holders to add decorative flair to your space. Decorative accessories like rocks or shells can liven up plain candles and help set the mood.
96NORTH Premium Candles
96NORTH sells the best soy wax candles on the market. We have a wide variety of naturally-scented candles, such as Madagascar vanilla and tropical coconut, which can transform your home into a serene, relaxing landscape.
Allow our candles to carry you to distant countries, atmospheres, and settings. Embrace their fragrance and journey through the aroma of beautiful exotic beaches and jaw-dropping lush jungles.
Allow the luxurious scents of 96NORTH’s candles to turn your house into a comfortable and relaxing home. Shop our selection of soy scented candles on our website.
FAQs
How do you light a candle for the first time?
To light a candle for the first time, all you have to do is apply a lit match or lighter to the candle’s wick. This will set it alight. You should burn a candle for around 3 – 4 hours before extinguishing it to ensure it burns evenly.
How do you light a candle with a small wick?
If your candle’s wick is too smalla to be easily lit, you might have to dig around it with a butter knife until you can easily light it. Let the candle burn evenly to avoid this issue.
Do and don’ts for candles?
There are many dos and don’ts of candle usage. Never leave a candle alone, always keep in mind fire hazards, keep them out of reach of pets and children and never move a candle while it is on fire.
