Do you have a candle that always produces wet spots on the sides? If so, don’t worry – you’re not alone. In this blog post, we’ll provide some tips on how to fix wet spots in candles. Keep reading for more information.
Summary: Fixing wet spots in candles can help to prevent them from going up in smoke. The first step is to identify the cause of the wet spot. Next, melt any excess wax with a heat source. Third, wipe away any additional wax that has leaked onto the candle holder or surrounding area. Finally, cut off any extra wick and relight the candle.
What Are Wet Spots in Candles?
If you’ve ever noticed small wet spots on the surface of your candles, you may be wondering what they are and how they got there. Wet spots usually occur when the wax is not properly melted before being poured into the mold. As the wax cools, the wet spot will remain on the surface.
This may not seem like a big deal, but it can affect the performance of your candle. The wet spot will prevent the wick from getting properly saturated with wax, resulting in a weaker flame or uneven burning.
If you notice a wet spot on your candle, there are a few things you can do to fix it. In some cases, the wet spot can even cause your candle to “tunnel,” meaning it will burn down the center without melting the wax around the edges.
How to Fix Wet Spots in Candles Step by Step Guide
Step 1: Identify the Cause of The Wet Spot
Before you can fix the wet spot, it’s important to understand how it got there in the first place.
The most common cause of a wet spot is when the user blows out the candle too hard. The heat from your breath melts the wax around the wick, which can be forced up the wick and drip down the candle’s sides if you blow too hard. This will pool at the bottom of the candle.
The most common cause of wet spots on a candle is when you use a draft to put out the flame. If there’s any kind of breeze in the room, it can make the candle’s flame flicker and dance, which also makes the molten wax drip down the sides of the candle.
Step 2: Melt the Wax
The first step is to melt the wax. You can do this in several ways, but the most common is to use a double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, you can create one by simply placing a glass bowl on top of a saucepan filled with boiling water.
Once the wax has melted, you’ll need to add a small amount of colorant. This can be anything from food coloring to candle dye. The amount you’ll need to use will depend on how dark you want your candles to be.
Step 3: Wipe Away Excess Wax
Once the wax is melted, use a paper towel or clean cloth to wipe away any excess wax that has dripped down the sides of the candle. Be sure to do this carefully, so you don’t accidentally remove any of the wicks. Finally, light your candle! Make sure to keep an eye on the candle and blow it out before it gets too close to the container. If you leave it lit for too long, the heat from the flame can cause the container to crack.
Step 4: Trim the Wick
Before you can use your candle, you’ll need to trim the wick. To do this, light the candle and allow the flame to burn for a few minutes. Once the wax around the wick has melted, blow out the candle and use a pair of sharp scissors to trim the wick down to about 1/4 inch.
If you find that your candles develop wet spots, it’s likely because the wick is too long. Be sure to trim the wick regularly to help prevent this issue.
Step 5: Relight the Candle
Now it’s time to relight your candle. Once you’ve trimmed the wick, light it as you normally would. Allow the candle to burn for a few minutes to ensure that the wax is evenly melted. If you see any wet spots developing, blow out the candle and repeat steps 2-5 until they’re gone.
Now that you know how to fix wet spots in candles, you can avoid this issue by following these simple steps. First, trim the wick regularly and avoid blowing out the candle too hard or using a draft to extinguish the flame.
Why Are Candles Regularly Developing Wet Spots?
The main reason candles develop wet spots is how they’re lit. When you light a candle at the wick, heat is generated. This heat then melts the wax around the wick, drawn up into the flame. The molten wax then evaporates, and as it does so, it carries some of the fragrance oil with it, which is how the candle scent is dispersed.
As the wax melts and evaporates, it also cools somewhat. This happens because the heat generated by the flame isn’t just lost to the air; it’s also conducted down into the wax itself. So as the wax cools, it becomes denser and starts to sink back down around the wick.
This process repeatedly happens as the candle burns, and it’s what gives candles their characteristic shape – a wider pool of wax at the top, tapering down to a narrower point at the bottom.
However, if the wax can’t cool properly between cycles of melting and evaporating, wet spots can start to form.
There are a few different things that can interfere with the cooling process and cause wet spots to form:
The Candle Is in A Draft:
If the air around the candle is moving, it can carry away heat faster than the wax can radiate it. This means the wax doesn’t have a chance to cool properly, and wet spots can start to form.
The Candle Is Too Hot:
If the flame is too large or the wick is too long, the candle can get too hot. This can cause the wax to melt faster than it can evaporate, leading to wet spots.
The Candle Is Made of Soft Wax:
Some types of wax are softer than others, and they can have a harder time cooling properly. This can also lead to wet spots.
Frequently Asked Question
Why Are There Wet Spots on My Candle?
Candles often develop wet spots near the top of the candle. This is often due to the heat of the flame melting the wax near the wick, which causes it to run down the side of the candle.
Can I Remelt a Failed Candle?
Yes, you can remelt a failed candle. You will need first to remove the wet spots and then remelt the wax.
Conclusion
Candlemakers have been using different methods to fix wet spots in candles for centuries, and the most popular method today is still the same as it was hundreds of years ago. So if you are having trouble with wet spots in your candles, don’t worry – we can help.
By following these simple steps, you can make sure that your candles burn evenly without any unsightly wet spots. Thanks for reading our post about how to fix wet spots in candles.
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