20/08/2026
Following on from Part 1 β if your jar or your wall has already gone grey, here's how to bring it back without making it worse.
Start dry. Always. Soot is greasy, and the moment you reach for a wet cloth you smear it into a grey film that's harder to shift.
On the jar: wait until the candle is completely cool, then lift the soot off with a dry paper towel first. Only then go in with warm soapy water, a little white vinegar, or a dab of rubbing alcohol for anything stubborn.
On a wall or ceiling: this is the one people get wrong. Don't reach for a wet cloth. Use a dry cleaning sponge β sometimes sold as a "soot sponge" β wipe gently in one direction, top to bottom, and lift the soot off rather than scrubbing it in. Only go in damp once you've lifted the loose soot, and test a small hidden patch first.
A clean-burning candle means you'll rarely have to do any of this. But now you know β and you know it wasn't something you did wrong.
I've put the full guide, including how to stop soot before it ever starts, on the website: https://nrglife.com.au/blogs/a-simple-guide/black-soot-on-candles πΏ
Following on from Part 1 β if your jar or your wall has already gone grey, here's how to bring it back without making it worse.
Start dry. Always. Soot is greasy, and the moment you reach for a wet cloth you smear it into a grey film that's harder to shift.
On the jar: wait until the candle is completely cool, then lift the soot off with a dry paper towel first. Only then go in with warm soapy water, a little white vinegar, or a dab of rubbing alcohol for anything stubborn.
On a wall or ceiling: this is the one people get wrong. Don't reach for a wet cloth. Use a dry cleaning sponge β sometimes sold as a "soot sponge" β wipe gently in one direction, top to bottom, and lift the soot off rather than scrubbing it in. Only go in damp once you've lifted the loose soot, and test a small hidden patch first.
A clean-burning candle means you'll rarely have to do any of this. But now you know β and you know it wasn't something you did wrong.
I've put the full guide, including how to stop soot before it ever starts, on the website: https://nrglife.com.au/blogs/a-simple-guide/black-soot-on-candles πΏ