Soot and Stains

• Incomplete combustion is a common problem with candles of all types, and when it occurs, it produces a great deal of soot. When the soot comes in contact with the painted wall, it leaves an oily black residue. Remove the soot from the wall as soon as possible. The longer you allow the greasy substance to sit, the more likely a permanent stain will occur.
  
  

Cleaning Solution

• All-purpose cleaners do little to remove the greasy soot and its accompanying stain from the walls. However, by combining a few inexpensive and common cleaners, you can get rid of the soot plaguing your painted walls. Add 3 gallons of cold water to a plastic bucket. Mix 1/4 cup of clear dish soap and 1 cup of non-sudsy ammonia in the cold water. This cleaning solution will cut through the greasy residue without harming the walls.
  
  

Removal

• With a clean sponge dampened in the mixture, gently wipe the soot off the walls. When the sponge becomes soiled, rinse it clean under cool running water and submerge it back into the cleaning mixture. Continue gently wiping the walls until you have removed the soot, then rinse the cleaning solution off by wiping with a lint-free cloth dampened in cool water. Refrain from over-saturating the walls, which could lead to water damage, and pat the excess moisture off the surface with a clean towel.
  
  

Considerations

• When working with ammonia, never mix it with bleach or any products that may contain bleach. Mixing the two together will result in toxic fumes.
  
  If a stain remains, after you try to remove the soot, consider priming and repainting the walls. If this is the route you choose to take, you must prime the walls first to prevent the soot stain from bleeding through the new coat of paint.
  
  A few tricks will help keep the soot to a minimum when burning both scented and unscented candles. Keep the wick trimmed. This will reduce the chance of the flame burning too high. Another option is to keep the candle away from drafty areas.
  
  A new option is to buy sootless candles, which are becoming more prevalent.