So there are a few things you should keep in mind when burning teacup candles and any candle for that matter, but these are specifically for container candles.
- The first time you burn the candle, try to burn it for a few hours until the wax has melted to the edges of the container. This will help prevent the candle from burning a hole downwards instead of an even layer across.
- Trim the wick if it starts to look droopy or like it is going to break off. Keep it below about a centimetre. This will allow it to burn better and cleaner, as often older, longer wicks will burn black and a bit smokey.
- Remember that the container can get quite hot if the candle has been burning for some time, so try not to move it when it is lit. You also don't want to go splashing around any wax, so keeping it still is a good idea, but if you do need to move it the cups are handy as they have a handle!
- Soy wax is a softer wax and dust loves to stick to it. This is why I sell the candles with a clear plastic protector on top, but be sure to remove this before using the candle. You can keep it and place it back over the wax once it has hardened after use, otherwise lightly brush off any dust that accumulates so that it doesn't burn up next time you use your candle.
- If you spill any wax leave it to dry and then simply pick it off (it should come off fairly easily and in one go) or use soap and water to remove. The good thing about soy wax is that it is really easy to remove and shouldn't damage the surface.
- Keep your candles out of reach of little hands, you don't want any nasty accidents with hot wax or flames. And try not to leave the candles unattended because you never know what could happen.
When your candle is all finished and the majority of the wax has burnt out, you can do a few things. You can keep the cup as is and keep it around looking pretty. You can melt the remaining wax out, clean out the cup and use it for tea. You could put tealights in it and continue to use it as a candle holder. Or you could give it back to me and I will make you another candle! I am trying to work out ways to make this possible, but if you're interested in this idea please get in touch and I'll see what I can do.
Using the cup as a cup!The best way to melt the remaining wax out of the candle is to use a double boiler method. Fill a saucepan with a couple of centimetres of water and bring to the boil. Turn down and sit the cup in the saucepan. Keeping watch, the remaining wax should melt down into liquid form. Once it has use an oven glove or something to protect your hand and tip the wax into some layers of paper or a bin. Melt down as much of the wax as you can and tip it out.
Let the cup dry and then wash using soap and water to remove any last remnants. You should have now cleaned out any remaining wax and the wick and the cup should now be ready to be used for whatever purpose you wish!
