4. Candles could be easily fitted to a candlestick with a simple act
Candles which don’t fit candle holders because they are either too wide at the base, or too small, have always been frustrating. Though they no longer serve the purpose as the primary source of light during the evenings and on dark days, they still are prevalent in the home, as mood lighting, as a source of scent, and as decoration. In the past, they were primarily for light, and since they were often carried from room to room it was necessary to ensure they were snugly lodged in their holders. Paring down a too-thick base was messy, and often yielded less than satisfactory results.
So did melting some wax in the bottom of the holder and placing a too small candle in the pool, in the hope that it would hold the candle upright once it hardened. A far more reliable solution was to immerse the end of the candle in hot water, softening the wax. Once pliable, the candle end could be molded to the necessary width using the hands, protected by gloves or a towel. They would then be properly and safely fitted into the candleholder, which remained free of lumps of previously melted wax.