Key takeaways:
- Candle soot is fine black carbon smoke released when wax/fragrance oils don’t burn fully (often from a “dirty” flame). It can leave dark residue on jars, walls, and ceilings.
- Trim the wick to about ¼ inch before each light, keep the wax pool free of debris, and avoid drafts (fans/open windows) that make the flame flicker and smoke.
- Don’t burn too long (aim for two to four hours at a time), let the candle form an even melt pool, and choose high-quality wax/wicks that are properly sized for the jar.
Candle soot can be bothersome when it’s lining the jar of your favorite candle and downright disruptive if it makes its way onto the wall or a beloved piece of furniture. That’s why, in this guide, we’re going to take a close look at what candle soot is, the main causes, and how to prevent it.
By the time you’re done with this guide, you’ll be able to burn your Snif candles safely with the knowledge of how to keep that pesky soot away.
What Is Candle Soot?
Before we get to how to prevent candle soot, it’s important to know exactly what it is. Candle soot is the name for the black powder that comes from the black smoke candles sometimes produce; it’s made of unburned carbon and fragrance particles.
This fine powder tends to collect on the edges of the candle jar, but it can also get on the wall or other surfaces in extreme cases.
What Causes Candle Soot?
Candle soot is caused by the incomplete combustion of candle wax and fragrance oils. Incomplete combustion happens when the flame doesn’t receive enough oxygen to burn efficiently and leaves behind carbon particles. Incomplete combustion disrupts the fuel-to-carbon ratio and produces black smoke that eventually becomes soot.
Your candle might have an unbalanced flame that’s creating soot for a few different reasons. If the wick is too long, it’s placed somewhere in a draft, or there’s too much fuel, it might begin to produce soot.
When the wick is too long, the flame becomes too large, causing fuel to vaporize faster than it can burn and producing soot. Drafts passing through the home can cause the flame to flicker, which also disrupts the burn and may cause soot to form. When too much wax is drawn up or there is too much fragrance oil in the candle, the flame might get overwhelmed and start to create soot.
How To Prevent Candle Soot
So, now you know what causes candle soot — but what can you do to prevent it in the first place? We have a few tips.
Trim Your Wick
The first step to stop your candles from producing soot is to simply trim the wick. As a general rule of thumb, you want the wick to be about ¼ inch long before each burn. Cutting it too short might make it hard to light, and, as previously mentioned, allowing it to get too long might cause the candle to produce soot.
To properly trim your wick, use a wick trimmer, scissors, or a nail clipper to snip the wick. It’s important to only cut the wick when the wax is entirely cooled and hardened, and to remove any debris that falls into the wax after you trim the wick.
Burn in a Draft-Free Area
Placement also comes into play when looking to prevent candle soot. Making sure your candle is on a level surface away from any drafts or open windows is one easy way to ensure a clean burn. Keep in mind that air conditioning vents, fans, windows, and people passing by are all sources of drafts that can affect a candle’s burn.
Use a Snuffer
Using a snuffer is another way to prevent soot from accumulating. When you use a snuffer, you extinguish the flame by depriving it of oxygen. This cools the wick down instantly and allows you to end the burn without creating any soot.
When you blow your candle out (even though it’s oh-so satisfying!), the hot wick continues to smoulder and release black smoke that will turn into soot. Although some carbon particles are still released when you use a snuffer, they are all trapped by the snuffer and can’t escape into the air.
Let the Wax Pool Evenly
Letting the wax pool evenly in your candle after each burn can also help you prevent candle soot. When the wax pools evenly, you limit the possibility of tunneling, which limits oxygen flow to the flame and is a big source of candle soot.
Opt for Cleaner Wax Blends
The type of candles you buy also influences how much soot they produce. Candles made with cleaner wax blends will create far less soot and are overall a healthier choice. Clean wax usually refers to natural wax made from products like soy, beeswax, or coconut.
All of the scented candles at Snif are made from a premium soy wax blend. This blend promises a long-lasting, clean burn with an impressive scent throw. The best part? They’re as good for the planet as they are for the ambiance in your home.
Pick Candles With High-Quality Wicks
It’s also important to pay attention to what the wick of your candle is made of when you’re looking to prevent soot. For example, all Snif candles have cotton wicks, which are known for supporting a steady, consistent, and clean burn.
Burn Clean
Candle soot isn’t an inevitable part of burning scented candles in your home, and you can easily prevent it. By trimming the wick, burning your candle in a draft-free area, using a snuffer, letting the wax cool evenly, and always seeking out high-quality candles, you’ll get a clean burn every time.
FAQs
Why do candles make soot?
Candles make soot due to incomplete combustion, a process that occurs when the wax and fragrance oils don’t burn cleanly. An imbalance in fuel, oxygen, and heat causes carbon particles to escape in the form of smoke that becomes a fine, black powder once it settles onto a surface.
Does trimming wicks prevent soot?
Yes, trimming candle wicks definitely helps to prevent soot. Trimming a candle wick helps keep the flame small and controlled, which promotes a cleaner burn.
Is candle soot bad?
Yes, candle soot is bad because it releases particulate matter and volatile organic compounds that can potentially make allergies worse, provoke symptoms of asthma, and worsen respiratory and cardiovascular issues.
Sources:
Review article Candle soot: Journey from a pollutant to a functional material | ScienceDirect
What are volatile organic compounds (VOCs)? | US EPA