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Candle Care
AlmostEurope specializes in the very finest German and Austrian candles. We
take pride in presenting beautiful quality candles, handmade in the styles
and traditions of Old World Art and New World Vision.
Many of the German designs are taken from old castles, monasteries and museums. The
factories have been making candles for over 500 years and take great care in
using the very best quality materials. Each candle is handmade with beeswax
and other waxes. Each wick is handmade to fit each candle size. This ensures
an even candle flame so that the candle does not burn too quickly or the wax
drips. The special wax formula also clears the air.
The new Austrian candles we sell are made from palm wax, a
100% natural plant material. It was discovered in 1818 as a suitable
wax for making candles. The plants are found throughout the tropical world.
Palm oil is used as the starting material; the byproducts of which are
completely biodegradable (contrast this to paraffin wax which is a byproduct
of the oil industry).
The palm fruit is separated into the vegetable fats and oils.
These candles are made from a mixture of stearic and palmitic acid.
This allows for a long-burning, low soot and highly drip resistant candle.
They retain their shape at high temperatures and it is also easier to blend
colors with vibrant tones.
 Palm
oil candles are most suitable for people with allergies or asthma.
Indeed, Palm oil is used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries
where it serves as basis for creams, ointments and tablets. Shaving cream,
for instance, contains a high percentage of palm oil.
To ensure that our quality candles bring you pleasure for a
long time,
please observe the following instructions:
Use a special lighter (Spaghetti), if the wick of the candle
cannot be reached with a normal lighter or match. A least 4" should
separate burning candles from one another. Avoid grouping too many burning
candles together. Do not move burning candles. Only relocate candles
when the wax has hardened.
Be sure to use a Wick trimmer to clean away the ash from the wick and also
use a Snuffer to put out the candle. If the flame begins to flicker, use a
pair of scissors to shorten the wick in order to avoid smoke. Ideally, the
wick should be between 3/8" and 5/8" long while it is burning. If the
flame threatens to "die", carefully pour out a little liquid wax but never
do this by making a hole in the candle.
A burning wick can be carefully bent sideways if the candle
starts to burn on one side. Never bend or break a wick that has become
rigid. Candles never burn straight and quietly in a draft, even non-drip
candles begin to smoke or to drip. Dripping candles should be extinguished
and relit after the wax hardens.
Never extinguish burning
candles with water. Instead, dip the wick into the burning candle’s liquid
wax and lift it out again. Then, it is primed for the next lighting. The
liquid wax pool should be kept clean, i.e. no used matches, pieces of burned
wick, etc.
Candle residue can
either be melted down and cast into new candles, or made into wax sand using
a kitchen grater. Wax residue on the candlestick is easier to remove
after the candle has been placed in the freezer for about one hour. In
fact, candles stored in the freezer for a short time burn longer.
Clean dusty candles with a fuss-free cloth saturated with spirit. But
spot test on hand-painted candles.
Warming with a
hair-drier and soaking up with a paper towel while liquid can effectively
remove spots of wax on furniture. Clean afterwards with vinegar diluted
with water. Spots of wax can be removed from textiles using an iron
warmed to the temperature appropriate for the material and absorbent paper.
Burning candles are a
fire hazard that must be cared for and never left unattended. Always place
candles on a non-flammable surface, as uneven or incomplete burning
(dripping) can never be completely stopped. Never place candles in close
proximity to flammable material. Never place a candle near a radiator or a
chimney.
used with permission of
the Austrian Atelier |
