v    Just a little attention keeps your candles in top condition and burning bright and clean. Follow these simple suggestions to get the most enjoyment from your candles. 

v    Keep wicks trimmed to one half inch. Long or crooked wicks cause uneven burning and dripping. 

v    Never leave a burning candle unattended. 

v    Keep lighted candles out of the reach of children and pets. 

v     Ensure the surface that your candle holder is placed on is stable, level, and even, and the candle flame is not close to combustible materials such as curtains or magazines. 

v    Always store candles in a cool, dark, dry place. They should be stored flat to prevent warping. 

v    If you see black carbon deposits building up on a wick, extinguish the wick, wait until the wax has cooled, snip off the tip and then re-light. (Be careful to keep any debris out of the wax). 

v    Before a party, light and extinguish the candles. They'll light more quickly and easily later. 

v    Avoid putting candles in drafts to prevent rapid and uneven burning and excessive dripping. If the flame is flickering very quickly, extinguish it, allow to cool and then move it to a draft-free location. 

v    To remove wax from washable fabrics, scrape off excess wax and run boiling water through the material. 

v    Remove wax from holders by running very hot water over them. 

v    Candles refrigerated before using will burn more slowly and evenly. Wrap in foil or plastic before refrigeration to prevent wicks from absorbing moisture. 

v    Candles will fade if left in the light for an extended period of time. Never put candles in a window or directly expose to bright outdoor light or indoor spotlights.  

v    Candles should always be burned in proper candle-holders or bases. Extinguish candles when they get within 2 inches of their holders or decorations.  

v     Use a snuffer to extinguish candle flames. This will prevent wax from spattering, and also keeps the candle wick centered. If you don't have a snuffer, when blowing out a candle, hold your finger in front of the flame and blow at it. The air will flow around the finger and extinguish the candle from both sides. This will prevent hot wax from splattering.

v    Do not extinguish the flame with the jar cover! 

v    For Jar Candles: Burn each time for long enough to ensure the wax liquefies to the edges of the container. 

v     If a wick becomes too short to light, carve away enough wax to expose the fresh wick, then trim 1/4" off the top of the candle and burn the candle to reform its appearance (tapers are the exception to the rule).

Courtesy of the National Candle Association.