How to Choose a Scented Candle and Why You Should Get One
Choosing your next fragrance candle is more important than you might think. The scents we select do more than just fill the air with a pleasant aroma - they can truly influence the atmosphere and how we feel in our home.
How to choose the right fragrance?
Choosing the candle fragrance is a personal choice, based on your preferences. While deciding, you should consider where you want to place it in your house and what purpose you want it to fulfill. If your goal is to create an ambience, you can choose citrus scents to boost your focus and energize you, or you can go for some lavender scents for your bedroom to help you relax and sleep better. The choices are endless and you can select different fragrances for every room in your home.
Why soy wax is the best choice for a candle?
While fragrance is important, it’s not the only factor to consider when choosing the perfect candle. Another key element is the wax. Paraffin wax is the most common choice - it holds fragrance well and is inexpensive. However, at Beliani, we prioritize the environment, which is why we’ve chosen eco-friendly soy wax for our candles.
Soy wax isn’t just better for the planet. It burns slower, meaning your candles will last longer and deliver a more enduring fragrance. Plus, since it’s made from vegetable oil, it’s non-toxic and burns cleanly with minimal soot, making it a healthier choice for you and your home.
Benefits of scented candles
If you’re still unsure whether a soy-wax candle is the right choice for you, here are some wonderful benefits of having one in your home.
Improving mood and alleviating stress
Aromatherapy is a very powerful tool to help us impact our moods and neutralize stress, as scents send signals to our limbic system, which is the sector of the brain that controls our emotions and memories. Some of the best scents for stress relief are lavender, sandalwood, vanilla, chamomile and rose. If you want to boost your energy you should choose jasmine, peppermint or lemon scents. There is something for every mood.
Creating ambience
Just like with moods, you can create any ambiance you desire in your home. For a romantic atmosphere, simply light a candle with a fragrance like rose, vanilla, or patchouli. If you aim more for a cosy vibe, then coconut, apples and cinnamon will be the best choices. You can also feel like you are on vacation if you bet on sea salt or mango fragrances. The sky is the limit!
Neutralizing odour
Sometimes scented candles can save us from some unpleasant smells that just don’t want to leave our house. It is really common to use candles to neutralize some stubborn odour. Citrus-scented candles are the best choice, as they can cover up those smells and leave a fresh and nice aroma around the house.
Eco-friendly
As mentioned before, soy wax is made from soybeans - which are a renewable resource and do not pollute our air when burning. So, no harm is done to our planet and us. Soy candles are also less likely to trigger allergies and are much safer for our health.
How to burn the candle properly?
Now that you have made up your mind and decided to buy a candle, you should know some rules on how to burn the candle correctly. Here are some things to remember:
Always trim the wick
Trimming the wick can prolong the life of your candle. If the wick is too long, it may cause the uneven burning of the candle, dripping, flaring and soothing. To extend the life of your candle, always trim the wick to 0.6 cm before each use.
Remember to check for debris
Never light a candle if the wax pool contains debris. Be sure to remove any matchsticks, wick trimmings, or other remnants before lighting. These can pose safety hazards and even increase the risk of fire. Always keep your candle clean for safe use.
The first burn is crucial
When you light a candle for the first time, you should keep in mind that the candle should be lit for at least an hour. The goal here is for the wax to melt from edge to edge of the container, to create a “pool” of wax. Otherwise, if you light the candle for too short of a time, it will create a memory ring, and once that happens, it will continue to tunnel down, and you will end up with an unevenly melted candle in the end.
Don’t burn the candles longer than the manufacturer advises
It's important not to burn your candle for too short a time, but also not too long. If burned excessively, the wick can become damaged as carbon builds up, creating a “mushroom” effect. This can lead to dangerously large flames, posing a fire hazard. For safety, it’s recommended to burn your candle for no more than 4 hours at a time.
Keep the candle away from drafts of air
You should keep your burning candle away from fans, air conditioners, open windows and heavily trafficked areas. Moving air disturbs the flame, which leads to black marks on the glass, that look very unsightly.
Placement is key
When buying a candle, you’ve likely already imagined the perfect spot for it. However, it’s important to consider not just where it will look good, but also whether the location is safe and suitable for a candle.
Remember to place them at a safe distance from any objects, especially easily flammable materials like paper, plants etc. Keep it away from curtains and fabrics. Also, make sure that it is not easily accessible by children, especially when it is burning.
If you take those tips to heart, you will be enjoying your new candles to the fullest for a long time.