How to Burn Your Candles Safely and Make Them Last Longer

There’s nothing quite like the soft flicker and calming aroma of a candle. Whether you're setting a relaxing mood, enhancing your décor, or indulging in a self-care moment, candles bring warmth and serenity to any space.

But did you know that how you care for your candle directly affects how well it burns, how long it lasts, and how safe it is to use?

In this blog, we’ll walk you through essential candle care tips to help you get the most out of every burn.

Why Candle Care Matters

Candles may seem simple, but they’re carefully crafted products with specific ingredients, wick types, and wax blends. Without proper care, even the highest quality candle can burn poorly, tunnelling, smoking, or wasting wax.

Proper candle care ensures:

• Even burns with no wax left behind

• Longer burn time and better value

• Cleaner air with less soot or smoke

• Safety in your home

1. Trim the Wick Before Every Burn

Before you light your candle, always trim the wick to about 1/4 inch (6 mm). This helps:

• Prevent high flames and black smoke

• Reduce soot build-up on the jar

• Promote an even, steady burn

Use wick trimmers or scissors, just make sure the wick is centred and upright before lighting.

2. Let It Burn Long Enough (The First Burn is Crucial)

The first time you burn your candle, let the wax melt all the way to the edges of the container. This prevents tunnelling, where wax only melts around the wick, leaving unused wax along the sides.

As a rule of thumb, burn your candle for 1 hour per inch of diameter (e.g., a 3-inch wide candle should burn for about 3 hours).

3. Don’t Burn It for Too Long

While longer burns are good initially, avoid burning your candle for more than 4 hours at a time. Excessive heat can:

• Cause the wick to mushroom or flicker

• Lead to uneven wax melt or discoloration

• Weaken the container (especially glass)

Always extinguish the flame, let the wax solidify, and trim the wick before relighting.

4. Burn Candles on Heat-Resistant Surfaces

Always place your candle on a flat, heat-safe surface away from flammable materials, drafts, and pets. Never leave a burning candle unattended.

Make sure containers aren’t exposed to direct sunlight or cold drafts, which can affect wax performance or cause cracking.

5. Keep the Wax Pool Clean

Avoid letting dust, wick trimmings, or debris fall into the wax pool. This can create uneven burning and even small flare-ups.

If anything falls in, extinguish the flame and carefully remove it with a spoon or tissue once the wax cools.

6. Don’t Blow It Out, Snuff It Out

Blowing out a candle can cause hot wax to splatter or create smoke. Instead, use:

• A candle snuffer

• A wick dipper (dip the wick into the wax to extinguish, then straighten it)

• Or gently cover the flame with a lid (if your candle is designed for it)

This minimizes smoke and preserves the fragrance.

7. Repurpose or Recycle the Jar

When your candle reaches about 1/2 inch of wax left, it’s time to stop burning. Burning beyond that can overheat the container and become a fire risk.

Instead of tossing it, clean out the jar and reuse it for:

• Plant pots

• Storage containers

• Makeup brush holders

• DIY candle refills

Bonus Tips for Specific Candle Types

• Wooden Wicks

• Keep the wick trimmed to 1/8 inch

• Let the melt pool reach the edges

• Expect a gentle crackling sound—part of the charm!

• 3-Wick Candles

• Make sure all three wicks are lit each time

• Burn for at least 2–3 hours to avoid uneven melting

• Soy and Coconut Wax Candles

• Tend to burn slower and cleaner

• Often require longer initial burns to avoid tunnelling

Taking just a few minutes to care for your candles will help you enjoy them longer, cleaner, and safer. Whether you're lighting a candle to wind down or freshen your space, good candle care makes all the difference.

So the next time you strike a match, remember a little TLC goes a long way.