How to Make Candles Burn Cleaner

Candles can set the mood and scented candles, in particular, can create the olfactory illusion of baked goods or summer meadows in the home. To make candles burn cleaner, both in terms of smoke and health, here are a few tips.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Cut Down on Smoke

1. Trim wicks to ¼ inch or less. You can do this before you light the candle or during the day, if you burn the candle for a long time.

2. Avoid drafts caused by ceiling fans or heat registers. The shifting winds cause candles to burn unevenly and smoke.

3. Buy candles made of beeswax rather than paraffin.

4. Note whether soot appears on the walls and furnishings of your home. If you've changed candle types, the chemicals in the fragrance may be at fault. Test the candle by cleaning your TV screen, letting the candle burn near it for a short time and then wiping the screen.

5. Put out the candle if you notice it smoking after burning a long time. Let it rest and cool for a cleaner burn.

Avoid Health Problems

6. Test the candle's wick for lead if it has a metal wick. The National Candle Association recommends rubbing an unburned wick with a piece of paper. A lead wick will leave a gray mark.

7. Avoid candles with glossy finishes. They can emit formaldehyde.

8. Shy away from highly aromatic or scented candles. Be sure the scent is made for candles and avoid wax with volatile hydrocarbons.

Tips & Warnings

• Some candles with lead wicks have been found to emit airborne levels of lead 9 to 33 times higher than the Environmental Protection Agency standard.

Resources

• Learn more about candles at The Crows Line.