How to Take Care of Your Candles

Make sure your candle burns evenly the first time you light it.

When you light a candle for the first time, let it burn for a while. This may take 2-4 hours. You want to ensure the entire surface of the candle melts before you put it out. If you don't, your candle could end up with a rim of solid wax that never ends up melting. This is called tunnelling. If you want all the wax in your candle to burn, let it burn evenly before you put it out, so try not to light a new candle unless you have a little time to spare.

How to tell if your candle is burning properly.

Efficient burning means flame is not flickering, teardrop shaped and upright. Extinguish a candle if it smokes, flickers, or the flame becomes too high. These signs indicate the candle is not burning properly and the flame isn't controlled. Let the candle cool, trim the wick, then check for drafts before re-lighting.

Keep your candle clean.

Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, matches and debris at all times. Once you've used a candle a few times, you may notice that soot and other debris have accumulated inside the container. Clean this out the moment you see it. Debris that protrudes above the wax can be ignited by the candle's flame and produce multiple flames in the candle. This can cause the candle to overheat, creating a flashover (when the candle's entire surface lights on fire).

Use tweezers (or something similar) to pluck wick trimmings from your candle's wax whenever you see them. Use a dry towel to wipe away soot, fingerprints, and other aesthetic distractions. Don't use a wet towel, because water can disrupt your candle's burn.

Trim your candle's wick.

If you want a clean, even burn, make sure your candle's wick is the right length. This might require some trimming. Before you light your candle, double-check your wick's length. If it's longer than the recommended .5cm, use scissors (or a wick trimmer) to neatly trim it. Try to be as precise as you can. A too-short wick can get lost in a sea of melted wax and fail to light. Keeping it this length will avoid mushrooming which can result in unnecessary soot. This also controls the size of the flame allowing you to get the most time out of your candle.

How to handle soot.

If soot forms on the inside of the vessel, extinguish candle, wait for it to cool, then wipe with a clean damp cloth. Trim wick and relight.

Minimise mess when putting out your candle.

When it comes time to put out your candle, do so carefully. It’s a great idea to invest in a proper snuffer however, obviously, blowing a candle out works, but should be done carefully. Be gentle, using only the amount of air needed. If you blow too hard, you can cause wax to splatter everywhere, creating a mess for you to clean up.

Retire your candle while there's still wax in it.

You should stop using a candle before it completely runs out of wax. Why? The flame needs a solid base of wax to avoid overheating the glass jar. If you let your candle burn all the way down, it could overheat its container—which could damage the container, create a mess, or both. It is recommend retiring your candle while there's still at least 1cm of wax left in it.

Store your candles in a cool, dark place.

Unfortunately, your candles can expire over time, and while they're unlikely to spoil the same way food does, they can lose their fragrance, become discoloured, or otherwise grow stale. Temperature fluctuations can speed the aging process up—and light can, too. Find a cool, dark place to store your candles between seasons. Preferably storing your candles at room temperature. Whenever possible, try to light your candles within 12 to 16 months of buying them.

Dos and Don'ts of Candle Care

Do let your candle burn for about 3 to 4 hours at a time.

One of the most common candle mistakes is letting your candle burn too long—or not letting it burn long enough. Candles are developed to be burned three to four hours at a time so you'll want to get as close to this burn duration as you can.

If you go too short, your candle may tunnel, or it may not smell very fragrant as the scent is emitted via evaporation from the pool of hot wax. So the larger the hot wax pool, the more it can emit.

If you go too long, your candle may get too hot, and its wax may get too thin. The heat can damage some of the fragrance oils in your candle, and the thin wax can cause your candle to put off soot.

Don't put your candle in a windy spot.

Wind can cause your candle to burn unevenly, which can lead to decrease burn time, cause uneven burning, smoking and diminished scent throw and tunnelling. Keep the candle away from air vents, windows, or drafts. If you notice the flame flickering, or it appears to be tunnelling, move the candle to a place with less air movement.

Do put your candle on a heat-resistant surface.

This one may seem obvious, but it bears repeating. Be sure your candle is on a steady, heat-resistant surface before you light it. Otherwise, you may damage your furniture.

And of course, keep your candle away from flammable objects—and away from any kids or pets who might knock it over.

Do always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

The most important thing to remember is that candles involve a naked flame and they do need to be treated with caution. Always read and follow the manufacturer's use and safety instructions carefully. Don't burn a candle longer than the manufacturer recommends.