Church candles are a vital part of any religious service. Not only do they provide light, but they can also be used to signify important moments during a ceremony. Therefore, it is important that you take the time to care for your church candles properly.
In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss how to buy the right candle, where to place it in your church, and how to maintain them, ensuring you get the most out of your beautiful church candle additions.
We will also provide tips on how to clean candle wax off various materials, including glass, metal, and wood. By the end of this guide, you will have everything you need to know to keep your church candles in good condition.
The Best Experience From Your Church Candles
The best way to ensure a pleasant church experience is by following these simple steps. To avoid messy dripping and irregular burning, ensure the candle holder has been placed securely on an even surface with ¾" of exposed wick showing (to allow efficient burning).
If necessary, trim down any excess material so it does not affect performance during services, or create unattractive smoke stacks when glowing afterwards!
Church Lighting Tapers
When lighting a church candle, it is important to use a candle lighting taper. This will help ensure that no pieces of the wick break off and fall into the candle cup. Make sure not to touch the wick or the candle cap with the lighter. Once the candle is lit, extinguish the taper flame safely.
If any wax drips down the side of the candle, use a paper towel or damp soft cloth to wipe it away. It is also a good idea to trim the wick regularly to keep it from getting too long.
Burning Your Church Candle
To ensure that church candles burn properly, it is important to follow the recommended minimum burning times. Otherwise, the wick may not have a chance to liquefy the entire top of the candle, causing it to drip or malfunction.
For example, church candles that are 1½" in diameter should be burned for at least 45 minutes.
Candles that are 2" in diameter should be burned for at least 60 minutes.
If church candles cannot burn for the recommended amount of time, it is important to trim the wick before relighting the candle. By following these simple instructions, church candles will burn correctly and provide a beautiful display during worship services.
Using A Candle Cap
Another key part of preparing a church candle is using a candle cap. A candle cap is a small metal disc that sits on top of the candle and helps protect against dripping, as well as allows the church candle to burn evenly.
It is important to ensure that the candle drip protector is the correct size based on the diameter of the church candle. Metal and brass candle caps are widely available.
Before seating the candle cap on the church candle, be sure to clean off all wax from both the inside and outside of the candle drip catcher. To correctly seat the candle protector, place it on the shoulder (the flat top surface) of the church candle.
By following these simple steps, you can help ensure that your church candles are burning efficiently and safely.
Trimming The Church Candle Wick
There is an old saying that church candles should not be disturbed once they are lit. The same can be said for any candle that is burning well. It is best to keep them out of the way of drafts, so they can burn evenly and not produce soot.
On a regular basis, you should look at the top of the candle to see if there are any broken wicks or if the wick needs to be trimmed. If the wick has become too long, you can trim it back to 1/2". If the wick is too short, you may need a blunt knife to remove all debris and tidy up the candle, ensuring all sides are level.
Something to remember is that church candles should never drip. If your candle starts to drip, it means the flame is too high and is using up the wax too quickly. To fix this, use your candle snuffer to extinguish the candle, and wait a few minutes for it to cool before trimming the wick.
Candle Snuffer
It is best to use a church candle snuffer to put out the flame, rather than blow the flame out. Gently place the extinguisher over the candle cap, being careful not to touch either the wick or the drip protector. Any movement of the candle cap may cause dripping.
If this happens, simply adjust the church candle and try again. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy your church candles without worry.
How do I clean church candles?
Church candles should be cleaned periodically to maintain their appearance and extend their life. To clean church candles, you will need a few supplies:
- Soap or detergent
- Warm water
- Bucket or basin
- Soft cloth
- Newspaper or other disposable surface
Begin by filling a bucket or basin with warm water, and adding a small amount of soap or detergent. Submerge the church candles in the soapy water and allow them to soak for a few minutes.
Next, use a soft cloth to wipe down the candles, being careful not to scratch the surface. Finally, rinse the candles with clean water and allow them to air dry on a newspaper or other disposable surface. Repeat this process as needed to keep your church candles looking their best.
Removal of wax from glass
Church candles are often lit during special occasions and services. Over time, wax may build up on the glass surrounding the church candle flame. This can be difficult to remove and cause the church candle to drip.
To remove the wax, use a paper towel to apply heat to the glass until the wax liquefies. Then use the paper towel, kitchen roll or soft cloth to wipe away the wax. Make sure to do this carefully, so you do not break the glass
Removing Wax from Wood, Metal or Material
Church candles, whether altar candles, paschal candles, or any other type, often drip wax onto the wood surfaces around them. Over time, this can cause the wood to become stained and even damaged. Fortunately, there are several ways to remove wax from wood.
One way is to use a hairdryer. Begin by heating the wax until it is liquid. Then use the hairdryer to blast it away from the wood. Be careful not to get too close to the wood with the hairdryer, or you may damage it.
Another way is to use a boiling pot of water. Boil a pot of water and pour it over the wax on the wood. The boiling water will help melt the wax and make it easier to remove. After pouring the hot water over the wax, use a scraper or knife to scrape it off of the wood.
A third option is to use ice cubes. Place some ice cubes in a plastic bag and smash them until they are in small pieces. Then place the bag over the wax on the wood and let it sit for a few minutes. The cold ice will help freeze the wax and make it easier to remove. After a few minutes, use a scraper or knife to remove the wax.
Whatever method you choose, be sure to clean up any remaining wax with soap and water afterwards. By following these simple steps, you can remove all traces of wax from glass, wood and metal surfaces quickly and easily
What is the best way to store church candles?
Church candles come in various shapes and sizes, and each one has its own unique purpose. There are altar candles, which are typically shorter and wider than other church candles; paschal candles, which are tall and thin; and taper candles, which come in various lengths.
No matter what type of church candle you have, it's important to store it properly to ensure it lasts as long as possible. The best way to store church candles is in a cool, dry place. This will help prevent the wax from melting and the wick from drying out.
How can I get more information about church candles?
There are many online retailers that specialise in church supplies and sell various altar candles, and any candles you need for your church.
At Hayes and Finch in Liverpool, we are happy to answer any questions you may have about church candles or any of our other church supplies.
Give us a call on 0845 450 5593, email us at sales@hayesfinch.com or visit our website here for more information. One of our friendly and knowledgeable team will be happy to help you.
We hope this blog post has been helpful in answering some of your questions about church candles, and we look forward to supplying you with all your church needs!