What type of candle wax should I go for?
The type of candle you go for depends on things like whether you’d like a strong scent or long burn time.
Candles are made from a variety of different waxes, with each type having different properties. If you’re looking for a candle with a long burn time, soy wax is generally the best. However, the length of burn will vary depending on things like room temperature, the wick and the candle’s container.
Paraffin waxes create the best scent and are used by many high street stores to create their candles. However, they do contain some pollutants and can create soot.
Beeswax is another type of candle wax which is more environmentally-friendly than the traditional paraffin. It has a naturally sweet aroma that can help to purify the air.
You also have coconut, which is a newer type of wax made from sustainable crops. It holds fragrance and colour well and has a clean burn producing very little soot.
How do you care for scented candles?
There are a few things you can do to get the most out of your candle. It’s generally recommended that you let your candle burn until the first layer is completely liquified the first time it’s lit, which usually takes about three hours.
Trimming the wick ensures the candle burns evenly and gives you a nice clean and even burn throughout the use of the candle. It’s recommended that you trim the wick to around 3mm before you burn it, or for every four hours of burn time.
Also make sure you keep the candle clean, so you should ideally dust it to get rid of debris before you light it.
For the best results from your scented candle, it’s recommended that you burn for four hours each time.
What is the best scented candle?
If you ask a friend to name scented candle brands, chances are Yankee Candle will be top of their list. With over 200 scents to choose from and candles that come in a range of sizes, there really is no other brand that comes close. There’s a scent for every season and mood and, with long burn times of up to 75 hours for some sizes, Yankee Candles are good value for money. Mumsnetters particularly rate the Yankee Candle Pink Sands as one of the best scented candles out there.
How we chose our recommendations
The majority of our recommendations came from parents on the Mumsnet forums. We also consulted consumer reviews and trusted review sites to further round out our research.
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