The Life Cycle of a Luxury Candle - where does the wax go when it burns?

Luxury candles are an indulgence most households spend money on. They add atmosphere, warmth, colour and texture to homes, allowing visitors to feel welcomed and calm in unfamiliar spaces. But, where does candle wax go when you burn it?

Put simply. candle wax evaporates. In most instances, wax travels up the wick of the candle, evaporating in the form of Carbon Dioxide and water vapour. This is why it is important to always choose a good quality wax in a candle, rather than synthetic produced waxes. This process is also known as combustion, and it is what allows the fragrance within the wax to throw around the space, creating the beautiful scents we all know and love.

So, what happens then to a candle left burning? 

While we always suggest blowing a candle out before leaving the room for safety reasons, if a candle is left burning, the combustion process continues to take place. In very few instances, candles can self extinguish if the wick burns at a faster rate than the evaporation of the wax and fragrance oil. However, in most cases, the combustion effect accelerates, causing faster fragrance throw, faster wax evaporation, and a faster rate of burning. If you see your candle light flickering more than a few times a minute, this could be a sign that the candle should be extinguished to extend the lifetime of the candle. In order to sustain a health burn and fragrance throw for your candle, it is recommended that candles burn for no more than 4 hours at a time.

But, how do candles run out of wax?

Candles run out of wax as the flame steadily consumes it during the burning process. The rate at which a candle burns depends on various factors, including the size of the wick, the composition of the wax, and the airflow around the candle. As the wax is drawn up the wick and transformed into gas through combustion, the candle gradually diminishes in size. Eventually, the wax reserves are depleted, and the flame is unable to sustain itself, leading to the candle burning out.

Furthermore, do candles leave residue on walls? and, are candles safe for renters?

All candles are crafted differently, so, some residue may be left on walls if a candle is placed close by. That being said, it is recommended that a candle is lit within a well ventilated space, the candle wick and vessel are maintained, and no more than 4 hours of burning takes place. This is to both ensure no safety concerns occur, and so that even for renters, possible residue isn't left behind, and extra cleaning will need to be attended to when you vacate a property. 

Have any more questions? 

Get in touch at info@lilacandco.com or use the contact us page