Experts reveal: You’re lighting your candles wrong…

Experts at Arran Sense of Scotland explain how to maximise the aroma and ensure safety requires more than just striking a match. The team at Arran Sense of Scotland give us the best practices for candle usage, including where to place them in your home and how to care for them to enjoy the most aromatic and safest experience.

Proper Scent Diffusion

To achieve the most potent aroma, burn your candle until the melt pool (the circle of melted wax surrounding the wick) extends all the way to the edges of the jar. For most candles, this takes around 2-3 hours. Failing to do so can cause “tunnelling,” where only the wax near the wick melts, diminishing the overall scent.

Burn Time

It may seem counterintuitive, but shorter burn times can often provide the most powerful scent throw. Aim for 2-4 hours per session for best results.

Layering Scents

If you enjoy a specific scent profile, consider layering similar or complementary scents in different parts of your home. This creates a rich, multi-dimensional aromatic environment.

Refreshing the Scent

To keep the scent strong over time, allow the candle to solidify completely between burns. This allows the oils to stabilise and offers a more potent scent during the next burn.

Candle Care Tips

Wick Trimming

Always trim your wick to 1/4 inch before each burn. This ensures a cleaner burn, minimising soot and smoke, and extends the life of your candle.

Snuff, Don’t Blow

Snuffing out the flame will reduce smoke and soot, preserving the integrity of your candle’s fragrance. Use a wick snuffer or gently dip the wick into the melted wax to extinguish the flame.

Cool and Cover

After extinguishing your candle, let it cool and harden completely before covering it or moving it. Covering your candle helps keep dust and debris out, preserving the fragrance for future burns.

Where Not to Place Your Candles

Near Flammable Materials

Never place candles near curtains, paper, or any other flammable materials. Make sure there’s a clear radius of at least one foot around the candle.

Draughty Areas

Drafts can cause uneven burning and excessive smoke. Avoid placing candles near windows, fans, or air vents.

Bathrooms

The excess moisture in bathrooms can affect how the candle burns and might dampen the scent. If you want to use candles in the bathroom, make sure it’s well-ventilated.

Direct Sunlight

Direct sunlight can cause candles to fade and warp, which may impact their performance. Keep them out of sunny windows to maintain their quality.

Robin Fisher, Product Development Manager at ARRAN Sense of Scotland

Candles have the power to transform our living spaces into aromatic sanctuaries, but unlocking that potential requires knowledge and care. With these tips in hand, you’ll be well-equipped to get the most out of your scented candles while ensuring that they’re used safely. So go ahead, strike a match, and let the olfactory journey begin.

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