Pourette Candle Making Supplies

More Tips for the Novice or Experienced Candle Maker from www.pourette.com

Keep Wicks trimmed to ¼” of an inch. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping and excessive smoking.

Refrigerating candles before use will help them to burn more slowly and evenly. Candles should be wrapped in foil or plastic before refrigeration to prevent the wicks from absorbing moisture. Excessive cold may cause some candles to crack, do not place in freezer.

If your having trouble removing candles from plastic molds, soap the mold with one part detergent and two parts water. Dry completely before pouring your candles, it is much easier than greasing the mold.

Work area essentials should include: a level surface, water, thermometer, and a non-flame heat source. Keep an old pan lid around to smother any wax fire. Cover your work surface with cardboard or newspaper. Melt your wax in a double boiler.

To clean a dusty candle, spray a household cleaner on it and rinse off with cold water.  Keep the wick out of the water and let the candle air dry overnight.

If your getting unwanted frost marks on your candles, try spraying with silicone spray and rubbing lightly with a soft cloth and the frost marks will disappear and a nice shiny finish is left behind, or plunge it rapidly into boiling water, swishing it around, and pulling it out immediately. The candle should not be in the water for more than a few seconds, and should never be held still while in the water. Hold on to the wick with pliers to avoid dropping the candle. Use a hair dryer or heat gun on the white areas. Buff with an old soft toothbrush.

Never pour the last of the melting pot into a mold on the first pour. Any dirt or sediment will end up at the top of the candle. Save the wax at the bottom of the melting pot for refilling sinkholes where any funky stuff will not be noticed.

Bent tapers and pillars may be straightened by heating with a hairdryer at the curve and gently rolling on a flat surface.  Surface flaws that cannot be buffed out can be covered with decorations.  Wrong or faded colors may be fixed by over dipping in a different or deeper shade of wax. Try to dip at 180 degrees.

If your candles smoke, try soaking the wick overnight in a solution of 1 Tbls Borax, 2 Tbls Table Salt, and 1 Cup Water. Let dry completely before using in a candle.

Keep a shallow pan of water next to your candle mold as you are pouring wax into it.  If it starts to leak immediately place your mold in the water to stop the flow of wax out of the mold.

If you are using a water bath to cool your candles, prime your wick with wax before wicking the mold. This way if water gets under the mold sealer the wick is protected.

Be on the look out for more tips and tricks on candlemaking and soapmaking !

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