Safety stuff and how to optimize your candle use.

Step 1 Remove all packaging before lighting your new candle (duh). Find a good spot for it: away from draft, out of reach of kids and pets, but some place where you can keep an eye on it.

Step 2 Trim the wick to 1/4" before each burn. A lower flame means a safer burn and less smoke.

Step 3 To avoid tunnelling, let your candle burn long enough for the entire surface of the wax to melt. But never let it burn for more than 4 hours at a time.

Step 4 The glass vessel will become hot from the flame and hot wax. Avoid moving or touching the candle vessel if the wax is in a molten state.

Here are tips to clean the candle vessel for reuse.

(Source: Architectural Digest)

The Freezer Method Place the candle in the freezer for several hours or until it is frozen. The wax should pop right out of the container, but you can also loosen it with a butter knife if necessary. Scrape off any residue and then clean the container with soap and water.

The Hot Water Method Put the candle on a surface protected with a towel or newspaper. Pour hot water into the container, leaving room at the top. Let the water cool and remove the wax. Strain the water to get rid of any small wax bits. (Don’t pour wax down the drain.) Scrape any remaining wax and clean with soap and water.

The Double-Boiler Method Place the candle inside of a pot on a heat-safe surface. Pour boiling water into the pot around the candle, making sure that the water does not get into the candle jar. Let the jar sit in the hot water until the wax has softened. Use a butter knife to loosen the wax. Remove the container from the water, pop out the wax, and then wash with soap and water.