Many people dont know that you can actually improve the quality of the flame you get from your candles. Some people think that if a flame is too large or you are getting excess soot that it is the makers fault. Well sometimes this is true, but often a little tender loving care can sort out many candle problems.

An overly large flame is not only an unsightly thing to look at but it is also a fire risk and causes excess soot and smoke. If you suffer from this problem then simply extinguish the flame, wait for the candle to completely cool down and then trim the wick. This should help reduce the flame size and smoke.

Many coloured candles will discolor overtime because of direct sun light. If your candle changes colour then make sure you keep it out of direct sunlight. Also leaving candles on the window ledge can cause them to melt! So keep your candles off of window ledges too.

If you have a candle with a normal sized flame but it is smoking then it may be in a draft. Check all nearby windows and doors to make sure they are shut, otherwise you are not only causes the candle to smoke but it is also a fire risk.

Some candles are designed to be a bit drippy (wax will run down the outside of the candle). Take proper precautions if you are unsure whether or not a candle will drip. Placing it on a holder that will catch any drips will help to save the carpet or table beneath the candle. Some candles are even designed to totally liquefy when lit e.g. votive candles, so again make sure that if you dont know about the candle you take all necessary safety precautions.

Candles are great around the home but can also be a little bit of work to get them to burn to perfection. So keep them well maintained and use basic safety rules. Happy Burning!