Home > Learning Center > Insights > Home & Renters > Candle Soot

Before there was electricity, there were candles.

And, yet we can’t seem to leave candles in the past. According to the National Candle Association, 7 out of 10 homes today in the U.S. use candles. No longer needing a candle to read at night, we light candles in our homes for ambience and decoration.

But there’s a caveat to candle-burning: soot. Soot, which can be mistaken for mold or dirt, can cause irreparable damage and cost homeowners sometimes tens of thousands of dollars. Homeowners insurance may or may not cover damage resulting from this black substance.

Soot, chiefly made up of carbon, can coat your walls, television screens, and computer monitors, as well as your carpet, furniture, blinds, and drapes. It can even infest your ventilation system’s ductwork. Of course, candles aren’t the only culprit when it comes to soot build-up in your home. Other sources include fireplaces, furnaces, and space heaters.

Unlike dirt, this greasy substance can be difficult, if not impossible, to clean. Still, most of us don’t want to give up our soothing, romantic candles. To help you avoid soot in your home, we’ve listed some tips below.

The Dos

• Seek higher quality candles. While candles made from soy or beeswax reputedly burn cleaner, this isn’t always the case. Look for candles that are made with minimal impurities.
  
  
• Read the instructions for any unique maintenance tips.
  
  
• Get in the habit of trimming wicks to ¼ inch to reduce the release of soot.
  
  
• Make sure your candle burns low and even for a cleaner burn.
  
  
• Use a snuffer to extinguish the flame, which will reduce the emission of black smoke.
  
  
• Open windows regularly to ventilate your home and avoid a mold or soot problem.
  
  
• Choose unscented candles. The fragrance or aromatherapy oils used in scented ones create more soot. Diffusers are more effective when you want to scent your home.
  
  

The Don’ts

• Avoid candles that feel soft and greasy as they tend to burn more smoke.
  
  
• Don’t burn candles near a draft because wind can disturb the flame and consequently create more soot.
  
  
• Steer clear of narrow mouth containers as they restrict the air flow of a burning candle, leading to more soot emissions.
  
  
• And, finally, don’t leave candles unattended.
  
  

Knowing what kind of candles to buy and how to burn them will go a long way toward a soot-free home. Just as you use candles to make your home more comfortable, rest easy with the comfort of knowing your home is protected with coverage from the Esurance Homeowners Insurance Program. Get a quote today!