Why soot in your candle isn’t poisoning you

Soot—it’s one of those things that makes people think their candles are poisoning the air around them.

But here’s the truth: soot is a natural by-product of burning any substance.

Whether you’re toasting bread in your kitchen or burning a candle in your living room, soot happens.

But soot isn’t toxic.

It’s just tiny particles of carbon that are released when something burns. The amount of soot that’s produced by a properly made candle is negligible and unlikely to affect your health.

However, if your candle is producing a lot of soot, there could be a few reasons why.

First, it could be over-wicked, meaning the wick is too thick for the candle and it’s burning too hot.

Another reason could be that the candle is placed in a drafty area, like near an AC vent or fan, which causes the flame to flicker, increasing the amount of soot produced.

So what’s the solution? Trim your wicks! Treat your candle like a toxic ex and cut that wick down to size before each burn. This simple step will reduce soot, keep your candle burning evenly, and prevent that black, sooty build-up on the rim of your jar.

Soot isn’t the enemy—it’s just a sign that your candle needs a little TLC.