Candle Care & FAQ
Candle + Wax Melt Care & FAQ
Because apparently fragrance comes with instructions.
You bought something that smells good. We’d like to keep it that way — preferably without setting anything unintended on fire.
🔥 CANDLE CARE
How to Not Ruin Your Candle
Trim the wick. Every burn.
Keep it around ¼ inch. No mushroom clouds. No tiny bonfires. No excuses.
Commit to the first burn.
Give your candle enough time to create an even melt pool across the surface. Otherwise tunneling may become part of your personality.
3–4 hours max.
Your candle needs boundaries. Consider taking notes.
Keep it somewhere boring while it burns.
Flat, heat-safe surface. Away from drafts, curtains, pets, children, emotional-support paperwork, and anything else that could ruin your evening.
Never leave it unattended.
We support ignoring your responsibilities. We do not support ignoring an open flame.
Know when to let go.
Stop burning when about ½ inch of wax remains at the bottom of the vessel. That's self-preservation, not waste.
🫠 WAX MELT CARE
How to Have a Meltdown Responsibly
Use an actual wax warmer.
Electric warmer, bulb warmer, or a warmer specifically designed for wax melts. Your stovetop is not invited to this activity.
Start small.
Add a few pieces to your warmer and see how they melt. You can always add more. Overflowing hot wax is considerably less cute than it sounds.
Do not add water.
Wax + water = absolutely not. Drop the melts into the warmer exactly as they are.
Let the wax do its thing.
Turn on your warmer and allow the fragrance to fill the room while you continue pretending you have your life together.
You can re-melt them.
Wax melts can be warmed again until you can no longer smell the fragrance. Once the scent has clocked out, it's time for fresh wax.
Let it cool before touching it.
Turn the warmer off and allow the wax to cool completely before removing, cleaning, or moving anything.
Never leave a warmer unattended.
Especially if yours uses a tea light. Keep warmers away from children, pets, drafts, and anything flammable.
LIFE'S A LOT. MELT SOMETHING.™
❓ FREQUENTLY ANNOYING QUESTIONS
My candle is tunneling. Help?
Give it a longer burn so the melt pool can reach the edges of the vessel. If we're already deep in tunnel territory, the foil trick may help: carefully wrap foil around the upper edge of the vessel while leaving the center open, then allow the candle to burn until the surface evens out.
Next time: boundaries are important, but your first burn needs commitment.
Why isn't the scent punching me in the face?
Fragrance strength can depend on room size, airflow, how long the product has been burning or warming, and your own nose getting used to the scent.
Try it in a smaller space, move away from heavy airflow, or leave the room for a few minutes and come back.
Your candle does not need to assault you to be working.
Why does the top of my candle look weird?
Hand-poured wax can develop natural texture or frosting as it cools and ages.
She's handmade. She has texture. We support her.
My wax melts changed texture or color. Are they okay?
Usually, yes. Handmade wax can develop slight changes in appearance over time or after temperature changes.
As long as they've been stored properly and nothing unusual has been introduced to the wax, cosmetic changes don't mean your meltdown has expired.
How much wax should I put in my warmer?
Start with a few pieces and make sure the melted wax stays comfortably inside your warmer dish.
Different warmers hold different amounts, so please resist the urge to create a wax swimming pool.
How long do wax melts last?
Until the fragrance says, “I have nothing left to give.”
You can melt, cool, and re-melt the same wax multiple times. Once you can barely smell it while warm, replace it with fresh pieces.
How do I change wax melts?
Turn off the warmer and let the wax cool completely.
Depending on your warmer, you may be able to gently pop the cooled wax out. If it doesn't want to cooperate, warm it very briefly to loosen the bottom, turn the warmer back off, and carefully remove the wax.
Never scrape aggressively at a hot warmer. We are melting wax, not fighting it.
Can I eat the cereal-shaped wax melts?
No.
Absolutely not.
We know they look suspiciously snackable. They are wax melts, not cereal, candy, snacks, or emotional-support food.
Please do not eat them. Please also keep them somewhere children and pets cannot mistake them for a treat.
Can I drink a Burnt & Iced candle?
Also no.
The “ice” is wax. We're cute, not caffeinated.
Can I leave my wax warmer on all day?
Please don't.
Follow the instructions provided with your specific warmer, never leave it unattended, and give both the warmer and the wax a break.
Even your coping mechanisms need boundaries.
How do I clean out a candle vessel?
Once the candle is completely finished and cool, remove the remaining wax and wick hardware using a safe method appropriate for the vessel.
Clean it thoroughly before repurposing.
Plant something. Hold paperclips. Store secrets. Live your truth.
Do you take returns?
If your order arrives damaged or there's an issue with what you received, contact us as soon as possible so we can help.
Changing your mind because Mercury entered retrograde is unfortunately not considered shipping damage.
A FEW FINAL HOUSE RULES
Candles contain an open flame. Wax warmers contain hot wax and heated surfaces.
Use both responsibly.
Keep fragrance products away from children and pets. Never ingest wax. Never leave candles or warmers unattended. Always follow the safety instructions included with your candle or wax warmer.
Hand-poured by Burnt Out + Co.
Burn safely. Melt responsibly. Live chaotically.