The best way to get the most out of your wooden incense burner is to clean it regularly. This will keep it smelling fresh and looking great for years to come!
Burning incense is a beautiful way to enhance the ambiance of any space. However, if not properly cleaned up, it can leave behind unwanted ash and unpleasant smells.
Keep it Clean
The best way to keep your burner in top condition is by regularly cleaning it. A clean burner will ensure that your incense cones burn properly and do not leave any ash residue behind. It will also prevent ash from absorbing moisture and turning into a sticky mess that is difficult to remove.
Start by removing any visible ash from the burner and wiping down the inside and outside of the burner with a cloth that has been dipped in hot, soapy water. Be sure to get into all the nooks and crannies of the burner.
Next, use a toothbrush to gently scrub the burner, getting into any hard-to-reach areas. Once you have thoroughly cleaned the burner, rinse it well with warm water to remove any cleaning solution or accumulated ash and then let it air dry.
Clean it Regularly
After using your burner, make sure to dispose of all ash that remains. Any untouched ash could discolor furniture or even be a fire hazard! Also, be careful where you place your burner. If it’s not on a heat-resistant surface, ashes falling from your burner may discolor or break glass table tops, and they may even burn wooden surfaces and carpeting.
A dirty burner can give off a foul smell due to the lingering oily residue of poorly burned incense. Also, oily residue can lead to hardened stains that are difficult to remove.
To keep your burner clean, you can use a mild cleaner such as baking soda or household soap and water. You can also find many specific recipes and cleaning tips for soot removal on the Internet that provide precise instructions for effective cleaning. Before you start cleaning, however, let your burner cool down completely. Start by gently tapping it to remove loose ash. Next, cover it with a Ziploc bag and shake the bag for around 5 to 10 minutes (it’s also a great arm workout!).
Clean the Burner’s Lid
It is a good idea to keep your burner’s lid clean. Unless you have a box-type incense burner that needs to retain ash (like resin-burning censers), this helps prevent the buildup of oils and other sticky residues. Wet a cloth so it feels almost dry and then wipe the surface of the burner.
There are many types of incense burners available. Some are designed specifically for cone incense while others are made to accommodate sticks, coils, smoldering sweet grass braids and loose mixtures of herbs and resins.
A brass or stone burner with a bowl-shaped design works well for most types of non-combustible incense. A ceramic or wooden one with deep groves and a built-in ash catcher is ideal for stick incense. Some censers and thuribles use candles instead of charcoal for lower smoke output, but they still require regular cleaning to avoid the accumulation of oily residue and odors.
Keep it Dry
An incense burner needs to be dry, or it’s a fire hazard. The hot ash that falls from the burner can damage wood and glass surfaces, and it’s also a fire risk if it comes in contact with draperies or other flammable objects.
If you have a ceramic incense burner with crevices, or resin-burning censers, soak the burner twice every week. This deep cleaning method helps remove the oily residues that build up on the designed collector of your incense burner.
Incense is a great way to relax and unwind with a nice scent in the air. You can use it during meditation or prayer, or just to add a pleasant fragrance to your living room. Some scents, like rose or jasmine, have a reputation for being natural aphrodisiacs, while others, like vetiver and cedar, are great for grounding and calming. As long as you’re mindful of your incense burner and clean it regularly, it will last a long time.