Apr 19 2007

what is it in candles that puts off the black soot?

Dr Skip asked:


We have a wall decoration for many tea candles that leaves black soot on the wall when candles are burned. Is there a type of candle that doesn’t leave marks on the wall?

Tags: Black Soot, Tea Candles, Wall Decoration

7 Responses to “what is it in candles that puts off the black soot?”

1. # Rhoda Kon 21 Apr 2007 at 2:22 pm

   You want to check for a candle that has a “clean” wick. Usually manufacturers put a piece of lead or metal in the wick to help it stand up straight. If you look for it you can see it in the wick. I use clean candles now, and I don’t have that problem anymore! Hope that helps you out!

2. # Frostyon 23 Apr 2007 at 3:34 am

   It’s the burning of the wick. Pull it out from the wall to stop the staining of the wall. The only type of candle that won’t do that is a battery operated one.

3. # James Gon 25 Apr 2007 at 1:40 pm

   idk but Carbon is what makes it black, seeing how all waxes are Hydrocarbons and give off carbon when burned I don’t see anyway of preventing it.

   well besides not putting it near a wall =P

4. # magiccharmon 28 Apr 2007 at 12:10 am

   Usually when candles soot, they are burning too much wax for the amount of air available. You can reduce the soot by trimming the wicks back.

5. # CarpeDMon 30 Apr 2007 at 6:05 am

   two have best answers.. keep wick cut short, only burn 2hrs at a time and yes only the wicks w/the metal in the center will put off soot esp. when wick is too long and has been burnning too long.

6. # Grainov Truthon 01 May 2007 at 10:04 am

   Carbon burns (in the wax) and the soot is carbon.

7. # Linda Ron 03 May 2007 at 11:50 am

   Petroleum = Paraffin = black soot
   To buy American made virtually soot free candles -