Burn Bright, Live Green: Sustainable Candle Care & Disposal Tips

At Seeds & Saplings, we believe in creating a warm, inviting atmosphere in your home, and our candles are crafted to help you do just that. To ensure you get the most out of your container candle and enjoy it safely and sustainably, here's our straightforward guide to proper burning and what to do once it's finished.

Getting the Best from Your Candle: Burning Advice

1. The All-Important First Burn: The initial burn of your new candle is crucial for its longevity and even burning. On the first light, allow the candle to burn long enough for the entire surface of the wax to melt and reach the edges of the container. This typically takes around 2-4 hours for our container candles. This prevents 'tunnelling' – where the candle burns down only in the middle – ensuring an even burn and maximising your candle's life.

2. Trim Your Wick Before Each Use: Before every burn, ensure your wick is trimmed to approximately 5mm (1/4 inch). A properly trimmed wick ensures a clean, steady flame, minimises soot build-up (which can discolour your jar and release particles into the air), and allows the candle to burn more efficiently. You can use wick trimmers or simply pinch off the excess burnt wick once cooled.

3. Mind Your Burn Time: While tempting to let that lovely scent fill your home for hours on end, we recommend burning your container candles for no more than 4 hours at a time. Extended burning can cause the container to overheat, potentially compromising the integrity of the wax and fragrance, and may also create a larger flame than necessary. Allowing the wax to cool and re-harden between burns helps maintain the candle's quality.

4. Keep it Clear: Always ensure the wax pool is free from any debris, such as wick trimmings or matches. This helps maintain a clean burn and prevents potential fire hazards.

Giving Your Candle Jar a Second Life

Once your Seeds & Saplings candle has brought warmth and fragrance to your home, don't let its beautiful container go to waste! We encourage giving our jars a second life, either by returning them to us or repurposing them at home.

1. Easy Jar Cleaning: To prepare your jar for reuse or recycling, you'll need to remove any residual wax. Here are a couple of effective methods:

   • The Freezer Method: Place the candle jar in the freezer for a few hours. The wax will shrink and harden, often allowing you to easily pop it out with a butter knife or spoon.

   • The Hot Water Method: Carefully pour hot (but not boiling) water into the jar, leaving a little space at the top. The wax will melt and float to the surface. Once the water cools, the wax will solidify into a disc that you can easily remove. After removing the wax, simply wash the jar with warm, soapy water to clean it thoroughly.

2. Repurpose & Reuse: Our amber glass jars are not only lovely but also incredibly versatile. Here are some ideas for their next life:

   • Plant Cuttings or Small Plants: Ideal for rooting plant cuttings or housing tiny succulents and cacti.

   • Stylish Storage: Perfect for organising small items like cotton buds, jewellery, pens, or desk supplies.

   • Decorative Holders: Use them as tea light holders for a soft glow or as a vase for small floral arrangements.

   • Craft Supplies: Store beads, buttons, or other small crafting essentials.

3. Return & Recycle: If you're unable to repurpose your jar, we offer a jar return program. Simply clean your empty jar and bring it back to us, and we'll ensure it's either refilled (if applicable) or properly recycled. Alternatively, our amber glass jars are fully recyclable through standard household glass recycling programs. Just ensure they are clean and free of labels before placing them in your recycling bin.

By following these simple steps, you can safely enjoy your Seeds & Saplings candles and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. We love seeing how you reuse your jars – feel free to share your ideas with us!