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The spring season offers fresh, clean scents and temperatures suitable for outside entertainment, and candles are a great option for a little extra ambience. Consumers have a myriad of options and there are a few key points to consider when making a purchasing decision, according to the National Candle Association (NCA).

“When selecting a candle consumers should consider including the scent, burn time and the wick. For example, you should consider the room and time of day you intend to burn the candle as this will help you choose as scent. Scents that are perfect for a kitchen (lemon verbena) and living room (fig and rosemary) might not be as appropriate for a bedroom or bathroom (lavender or eucalyptus),” NCA shared.

Additionally, consumers should determine the length of time a candle will burn, as that is an important consideration when determining which candle to purchase. “Candles are generally designed to be burned for 3-4 hours at a time. This allows the wax to burn evenly and prevent tunneling,” NCA detailed. “However, if you are only planning to burn a candle for an hour or two, a smaller candle, like a votive or tea light would great while enjoying your outdoor space.”

Wicks are important too! Generally, the most popular wicks include cotton and wood and both offer a different illuminating experience. “Wicks that are made from a combination of cotton and wood create a pleasing yellow light and flicker as they burn while 100% wooden wicks create a crackling sound as they burn, adding an additional sensory experience,” NCA said. It is important to keep wicks trimmed to a quarter of an inch according in order to allow a more even burn with less carbon in the wax pool, NCA described.

For more information on spring candle trend and safety tips, visit www.candles.org.