5 Candle Care Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Candle

Many people just buy luxury candles and treat it as a normal paraffin candle. Luxury candles can be very expensive and to get your moneys worth, you’ll want the longest burn time for each of your candles. Taking care of your candles is simple and anyone can do it. It allows for a longer candle life span, a cleaner burn, and enhances the fragrance.

 Tip #1: Trim the Wick

This is the most important tip when it come to candle care. Trimming the wick is essential for a clean, even burn. When the wick is too long, it can create a larger, flickering flame that produces excess smoke, soot(Soot is a fine black powder produced by incomplete combustion of materials, such as the wax in your candle. When the candle wick isn’t trimmed properly, or the candle is burning in a draft, it can cause the wax to burn inefficiently.) , and can even cause the candle to burn unevenly. The ideal wick length is about 1/4 inch. This ensures the flame remains steady and the candle burns efficiently.

Use wick trimmers or scissors to cut the wick before each use. Make it a habit to trim the wick every time you light the candle to avoid a buildup of excess carbon at the top.

Trimming the wick prevents soot from forming on your candle jar or container, promotes a cleaner burn, and improves the overall fragrance throw.

Tip #2: Burn in 1-3 Hour Sessions

Just because a candle can burn up to 45+ hours doesnt necessarily mean that you should burn it for that long period of time. Burning your candle for long periods (more than 3 hours) can cause the candle to overheat, which can lead to faster wear and tear on the wax. It may also create large pools of melted wax around the edges, leaving the center still intact (called tunneling). Shorter burn sessions (1-3 hours) allow the candle to burn evenly and maintain its scent.

When you burn a candle for extended periods, the wick may grow too large, causing an uneven burn and possibly creating a messy or dangerous environment. The candle may also burn too quickly and waste the wax.

Shorter burn times allow the wax to melt evenly across the top, ensuring you use the entire candle and maximize the scent.

Tip #3: Keep Away from Drafts

It’s common sense that a flame and a breez doesn’t go together. Drafts, such as from air conditioning, fans, or open windows, can cause the candle flame to flicker or burn unevenly. The wax may melt faster on one side, creating an uneven burn. This also wastes wax and reduces the life of the candle.

Pay attention to areas in your home where air circulates more, like near vents, windows, or doors. If you notice the candle flickering or burning unevenly, it's likely due to a draft.

Keeping your candle away from drafts ensures it burns steadily and safely, which helps preserve its longevity.

Tip #4:  Allow Full Melt Pool

When you light a candle for the first time, it’s crucial to let it burn long enough to melt the wax all the way to the edges. This prevents tunneling, where the candle burns down the center but leaves the outer wax unused. Tunneling can shorten the life of your candle and waste wax.

Allow the candle to burn for 2-3 hours on the first use, or until the melted wax reaches the edges of the container. For smaller candles, this might take less time.

A full melt pool ensures that all the wax is used evenly and that the candle burns in a consistent, efficient way. This makes the candle last longer and enhances the scent throw.

Tip #5: Store in a Cool, Dry Place

Storing candles in direct sunlight or in warm, humid conditions can affect the wax and fragrance. Heat can cause the wax to soften, lose its scent, or discolor. Storing candles properly helps maintain their appearance and scent over time.

Keep candles away from heat sources, such as heaters, direct sunlight, or open flames, and store them in a cool, dry area.

Proper storage ensures that your candle remains in good condition for a longer period and that the scent remains potent when you’re ready to use it.

Bonus Tip

 When you’re not using your candle, putting the lid on the jar helps preserve the fragrance. It prevents dust, dirt, and other particles from entering the jar, keeping the wax clean. It also helps retain the scent by sealing in the fragrance oils, preventing them from dissipating into the air.

After each use, gently place the lid on the jar once the candle has cooled down. Avoid placing the lid on while the candle is still hot to prevent trapping smoke or heat inside.

The lid helps maintain the candle’s fragrance for longer, ensures a cleaner jar, and can even prevent the wax from drying out or cracking over time.

 

There you have it, 5 Candle Care Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Candle. Now you can get your moneys worth out of any candle. If you love luxury candles then make sure to check out www.kalm.org.za . We have a wide variety of luxury candles and often have limited drops.