How long should I burn a candle?

   What causes a candle to smoke, and what can I do to correct it?

A well-made candle will create virtually no smoke when burning properly. However, if the wick becomes too long, or an air current disturbs the flame's teardrop shape, small amounts of unburned carbon particles (soot) will escape from the flame as a visible wisp of smoke. Any candle will soot if the flame is disturbed.

To avoid this, always trim the wick to ¼ inch before every use and be sure to place candles away from drafts, vents or air currents. If a candle continually flickers or smokes, it is not burning properly and should be extinguished. Allow the candle to cool, trim the wick, make sure the area is draft free, then re-light.  

Do scented candles produce more soot than unscented candles?

Not really. The oils found in certain fragrances may slightly increase the small amount of soot produced by a candle, but wick length and flame disturbance are the primary factors that impact sooting in a properly-formulated candle.

I love scented candles. Why don't candle manufacturers add a lot more fragrance?
There is a maximum amount of fragrance that can be added to a candle before it no longer burns cleanly or properly. There have been reports of some homemade and craft-fair candles containing too much fragrance, or fragrances not approved for use in candles. This can cause a candle to burn improperly or unsafely

Candle Safety Tips

Always keep candles away from children and pets!
Do not keep a lit candle in a draft!
Keep wicks trimmed to 1/4 inch and
never burn a candle more than 3-4 hours at one time.
Candles made with Soy waxes need to be kept away from sunlight to prevent fading.
Glass jar conatiners need to be handled with care,
they will be very hot!
(always a good idea to burn on a candle plate)
Never burn a jar candle that is cracked or chipped.

For More Tips go to National Candle Association