Take Notes: Wick Trimming
TODAY WE’RE TALKING WICK TRIMMING
...and why you can’t skip it
Believe it or not, candle burning is part science, part enjoyment— and that’s why it’s important to keep your wicks trimmed and tidy to get the most out of your candles. First, let’s break down what happens when a candle is lit. The heat from the flame melts wax close to the wick and the melted wax flows up the wick by capillary action of the wick material (we only use 100% cotton wicks.) The wax is then vaporized and becomes a hot gas, and its hydrocarbons break down into hydrogen and carbon atoms bonding with oxygen in the air. The now gaseous wax produces water vapor, carbon dioxide, heat, and light. (Wow, science!)
Now that we have the science behind burning a candle down, let’s get back to why wick trimming is so important. To get the best burn from your favorite candles, our number one tip is to always trim your wick to ensure a cleaner, safer burn and increase the lifespan of your candles. An untrimmed wick makes for a bigger flame, meaning the candle burns hotter (and faster!), may produce soot, leaving an unsightly black ring around the top of the jar.
Once your candle has completely cooled after extinguishing, use a wick trimmer to trim the wick to about ¼”, being careful not to leave any trimmings inside the wax. Then, voila! Your candle is ready for a safe, next burn.
BACK IN STOCK
Start getting the most out of all your candles today with one of our P.F. branded wick trimmers— now back in stock!
ALL OUT OF YOUR FAVE CANDLES?
Re-up today and enjoy free shipping to the contiguous U.S., with Afterpay now available on all orders $50+.
[ SHOP ALL CANDLES ]
MORE FROM OUR TAKE NOTES SERIES: