Candles have been around for centuries and are a popular way to enhance the ambiance of a room, create a relaxing atmosphere, or provide a pleasing scent. However, proper candle care is essential to ensure that they burn safely and efficiently. In this blog post, we will discuss five essential candle care tips to help you get the most out of your candles.

1. Trim the wick

Before lighting your candle, it's crucial to trim the wick to about ¼ inch to prevent the flame from getting too large, smoking, or flickering excessively. A longer wick can also cause the candle to burn too quickly, resulting in a shorter lifespan. Trim the wick with scissors or a wick trimmer to keep it at the correct length.

2. Keep the wax pool even

When burning a candle, it's important to allow the wax pool to reach the edges of the container or the candle's diameter to prevent tunneling. Tunneling occurs when the candle burns straight down the middle, leaving wax on the sides that never melts. This results in a shorter lifespan and wasted wax. To prevent this, burn the candle for at least 1 hour per inch of diameter to create an even wax pool.

3. Burn candles for the appropriate amount of time

Overburning candles can cause the wick to shift, the container to crack, or the wax to melt unevenly. It's important to follow the manufacturer's recommended burn time and instructions to ensure that the candle burns safely and efficiently. Typically, it's recommended to burn candles for no more than 4 hours at a time.

4. Keep the candle away from drafts and heat sources

Drafts and heat sources can cause the flame to flicker, smoke, or burn unevenly. It's important to place the candle on a stable surface away from any drafts or heat sources like air vents or windows. This will ensure that the candle burns evenly and safely.

5. Extinguish candles safely

When extinguishing the candle, it's important to do so safely to prevent accidents. Use a candle snuffer to extinguish the flame instead of blowing it out, which can cause hot wax to splatter. Wait until the wax has cooled before moving the candle or relighting it.

Conclusion

Taking care of your candles is crucial to ensure that they burn safely, efficiently, and last longer. Follow these essential candle care tips to enjoy the maximum benefits of your candles and enhance the ambiance of your space. For more candle care tips check out our candle care guide.