Now more than ever, people around the world need a reason to “share the light” with themselves, their friends and family, and even with strangers. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the world changed and shifted in innumerable ways, but one thing remained true; the comfort candles offer in times of stress and uncertainty became nonnegotiable for so many. While people remained inside working and living from home, many sought a sense of well-being by lighting a candle. This trend continues into 2021, even as the world begins to emerge from the darker days of the pandemic, the small comforts like candles in the home remain a staple. Established in 2013 by the National Candle Association (NCA), World Candle Month (WCM) is celebrated every September and proudly promotes the various ways candles enrich our daily lives.

This year’s World Candle Month theme is “Share the Light” so NCA wants to share a handful of popular and useful candle tips and tricks so that your candles will burn longer and brighter in the days to come.

• Store your candles in a cool, dark and dry place. Tapers or dinner candles should be stored flat to preventing warping.

• Remove dust and fingerprints from a candle by gently rubbing the surface with a piece of nylon or a soft cloth. The cloth can be dry or slightly dampened with water.

• Remove wax drippings from candleholders by running hot water over them. Some home care experts prefer removing wax by first placing the candleholder in the freezer for an hour or so. This allows the wax to shrink and easily pop out when the candleholder is removed from the freezer.

• Avoid burning candles in any glass item not specifically designed for candles. Glass candleholders are specifically manufactured to withstand the temperature changes that occur when burning a candle. Everyday glassware is not designed for burning candles.

• Add a few drops of water to the glass of votive holders before inserting the candle. They will clean more easily this way. Caution: Don’t add more than a few drops of water and don’t add water unless you intend to burn the candle immediately afterward. Over time, a candle wick could absorb the water and won’t burn properly.

• Avoid placing your candles where they will be directly exposed to sunlight or harsh indoor lighting. Candles may fade if they are left in bright light for an extended period of time.

Be sure to celebrate World Candle Month all September long by burning your candles in the safest and most effective manner. You can find more helpful expert tips here, and get the full picture on how to burn a candle safely by visiting NCA’s fire safety page.