Candle Care 101: Safer, Cleaner Burns and Longer Life
A little care goes a long way. Before you light any candle, a few simple habits dramatically improve both safety and performance—and they’re easy to build into your routine.
Start by trimming the wick to about a quarter inch (around 6 mm). A shorter, neatly cut wick helps the flame burn steadily and keeps soot to a minimum, so glass stays clear and the fragrance remains true. Then, choose the right surface: heat-resistant, flat and out of the way of curtains, fans or open windows. Stable placement prevents accidental tipping and stops draughts from pushing the flame off-centre. On the first burn, be patient. Allow the wax to melt right out to the edges of the vessel—usually two to three hours. This sets an even “memory” pool that prevents tunnelling and leads to cleaner, more efficient burns later on. If dust or small debris has settled on top, give the surface a gentle wipe before lighting. Taken together, these steps create a cleaner, safer and more enjoyable burn every time.
Once you’re in the habit, you can extend the life of your favourite candles with a few care principles. Aim for balanced sessions of two to four hours; very short burns tend to leave uneven surfaces, while very long burns can overheat the container and accelerate wax consumption. Each time you light the candle, let the wax pool reach the edges again to reinforce that even melt and avoid tunnelling. Keep the flame away from draughts—airflow from air conditioners or fans makes the flame flicker, causing uneven burn and wasted wax. Simple tools make a difference, too: wick trimmers keep heights consistent, lids protect the surface between uses, and snuffers extinguish cleanly without smoke. With good habits, large jar candles can deliver up to sixty hours of clean fragrance, keeping your space comfortable and your scent true.
How you extinguish the candle matters for both safety and appearance. Using a snuffer is the simplest way to put the flame out without a cloud of smoke. You can also “dip” the wick: gently push it into the melt pool and bring it back upright—this coats the wick for the next lighting and minimises after-smoke. Try to avoid blowing the flame out; it can spatter wax, create soot and leave the surface uneven. Finally, allow the candle to cool and harden for at least ten minutes before moving it, so the wax resets smoothly and the vessel remains safe to handle. These small choices keep your candle looking beautiful and burning properly, use after use.