🕯️ Candle Care Guide

To get the best performance, longest burn time, and safest experience from your Ottawa Custom Candle, please follow the candle care tips below. Proper candle care ensures cleaner burns, stronger scent throw, and helps your candle last as long as possible.

1. Trim the Wick Before Every Burn

Always trim your wick to 1/4 inch (6 mm) before lighting your candle. This helps prevent:

• Soot
• Mushrooming
• Excess smoke

A properly trimmed wick gives you a cleaner, more controlled flame and a safer burn.

2. Let the Candle Burn to the Edges

During the first burn, allow the wax to melt completely to the sides of the jar. This helps prevent tunneling, where wax is left around the edges and your candle burns straight down the middle.

A full melt pool on the first burn sets the “memory” of the candle and helps it burn evenly every time.

3. Burn Your Candle in 2–4 Hour Intervals

For best results:

• Burn your candle for 2–4 hours at a time.
• Never burn a candle for more than 4 hours in a single session.
• Allow the wax to cool and solidify fully between burns.

This helps your wick stay healthy, reduces overheating, and extends the life of your candle.

4. Keep Candles on a Stable, Heat-Safe Surface

Always place your candle on a sturdy, level, and heat-resistant surface away from:

• Drafts or open windows
• Pets and children
• Curtains, bedding, or paper
• Any flammable materials or decor

Drafts can cause uneven burning, high flames, or smoking.

5. Stop Burning When 1/2 Inch of Wax Remains

For safety, discontinue use when there is about 1/2 inch (1 cm) of wax left at the bottom of the jar.

This helps prevent overheating the container and protects the surface underneath your candle.

6. Never Leave a Burning Candle Unattended

Always extinguish your candle when:

• Leaving the room
• Going to sleep
• You notice the flame getting too high or flickering excessively

Safety first—an attended candle is a safe candle.

7. Use a Snuffer or Lid to Extinguish

Instead of blowing out your candle, use a candle snuffer or gently place the lid on top to extinguish the flame.

This helps minimize smoke and prevents hot wax from splattering.

8. Store Candles Properly

Store your candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

Excessive heat or sun can cause sweating, fading, or loss of fragrance over time.

9. Allow Freshly Poured Candles to Cure

Many Ottawa Custom Candles are made fresh when you place your order. To get the strongest scent and best performance, please allow 14 days of curing from the pour date before your first burn.

We often include a fully cured bonus candle in your order so you have something to enjoy right away while your made-to-order candle finishes curing.

Enjoy Your Ottawa Custom Candle

A little care goes a long way. With proper candle care, your handmade soy candle will burn cleaner, last longer, and smell stronger.

If you have any questions about candle care or how to get the most out of your Ottawa Custom Candles, please feel free to contact us anytime.