The Ultimate Guide to Candle Care: Tips for a Longer, Cleaner Burn
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Candle care is essential to making the most of your favorite candles. A little bit of upkeep can go a long way in enhancing both the lifespan and performance of your candles, so you can keep enjoying the scents and ambiance they bring to your space. Here’s a simple guide on how to properly care for your candles to get a longer, cleaner, and more even burn every time.
1. Trim the Wick
A good burn starts with a properly trimmed wick. Trim the wick to about 1/4 inch before each use. Trimming keeps the flame in control and helps prevent soot from forming on the glass or container. Longer wicks can cause high flames, excessive smoke, and an uneven burn, wasting wax and affecting scent throw.
Tip: Use a wick trimmer for the best results, or if you don’t have one, a small pair of scissors will work. Make sure the candle is completely cool before trimming.
2. Allow a Full Melt Pool
The first burn is the most important. When you light a candle for the first time, allow it to burn long enough for the wax to melt across the entire surface (known as a melt pool). This can take up to 2-4 hours, depending on the candle's size. A full melt pool prevents “tunneling” (when wax only melts down the center), ensuring an even burn that maximizes your candle’s lifespan.
Tip: Try to light your candle when you have enough time to let it burn without interruption for at least 2 hours.
3. Keep Candles Away from Drafts
A steady, even flame is key to a clean burn. Placing candles in drafty areas can cause the flame to flicker and shift, leading to uneven burning, sooting, and even the risk of the wick drifting out of position. Try to keep your candle away from open windows, fans, or high-traffic areas.
Tip: If your candle has started to burn unevenly, you can carefully rotate the candle to help even out the melt pool (just be cautious with any hot wax).
4. Avoid Burning for Too Long
Most candles should not be burned for more than 3-4 hours at a time. Burning too long can lead to overheating, causing the wick to “mushroom” (where the tip of the wick forms a clump) and generating excess soot. Overheating may also weaken the candle’s fragrance over time.
Tip: If you notice your candle wick is “mushrooming,” extinguish the flame, let the candle cool, and trim the wick back to 1/4 inch.
5. Use a Snuffer to Extinguish the Flame
Blowing out a candle can cause hot wax to splatter and produce smoke. Instead, use a candle snuffer to extinguish the flame smoothly and reduce the amount of soot and smoke produced. If you don’t have a snuffer, you can place the container lid on quickly and the flame will extinguish without splashing liquid wax. All of our candles come with lids. You can view them by clicking below.
Wickin Out Candleworks Container Candles
Tip: Don’t forget to check that the wick is centered immediately after snuffing out the candle, as this helps it stay even for the next burn.
6. Protect Surfaces
Candles can become quite warm, especially after several hours of burning. To prevent any heat damage to surfaces, always place your candle on a heat-resistant coaster or tray. This also helps contain any wax drips if you accidentally knock the candle or spill some wax while extinguishing it.
Tip: Glass containers can sometimes get hot enough to cause cracking on certain surfaces; always place a barrier under the candle to be safe.
7. Store Your Candles Properly
To preserve your candle’s fragrance and wax quality, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and dust. Exposure to sunlight can cause the wax to discolor, while dust and debris can settle on the candle and affect its scent and burn quality. If possible, cover your candle with a lid or store it in a container when it’s not in use.
Tip: Keep candles out of extreme temperatures—too much heat can cause wax to soften, and extreme cold can cause cracks.
8. Dispose of Your Candle Safely
Once your candle has about 1/2 inch of wax left at the bottom, it’s time to retire it. Burning a candle too close to the bottom can overheat the container and potentially cause it to shatter. Consider repurposing your candle container, if safe to do so, for storage or decorative purposes.
Tip: To remove leftover wax, place the candle in the freezer for a few hours; the wax should shrink and pop out easily. Wash the container with warm, soapy water before reusing.
In Summary
Taking proper care of your candles is simple and helps you get the most enjoyment out of them. Remember these key steps:
- Trim the wick
- Allow a full melt pool on the first burn
- Avoid drafts
- Don’t burn too long
- Use a snuffer to extinguish
- Protect surfaces
- Store properly
With these tips in mind, you’ll get a cleaner, longer-lasting burn and enjoy the full scent of your candles!