Before I became a candle maker I had no idea there were good ways and bad ways to burn a candle. I buy the candle. I light the candle and enjoy it. My candle caring didn’t go beyond that.
Then I became a candle maker and realized ooohhh so that’s why the wax hangs on the side. Oh! You’re supposed to trim the wick? Why? It’ll last longer. Really? Why didn’t I know of this before?
Well I’m here to get you in the know so you can get the most out of your candle.
Trim the Candle Wick
Maybe one of the most important tip is trimming the candle wick. Why is this important?
- Trimming the wick keeps it short. A shorter wick will consume less fuel (the melted wax) as the candle burns.
- When you trim the wick you cut off any carbon buildup (mushrooms) which helps to reduce soot.
Let the Wax Melt to the Sides of the Glass
Have you ever seen candles with what looks like a hole going down? Maybe you’ve had candles that burn in that way and wondered why?
One word : Tunneling
This is what happens when a candle when each burn time is insufficient to melt the wax to the edges of the container.
Allow the melted wax to spread to the sides of the container before outing the candle. Do this especially for the first time you light your candle. Burn on average, for at least 2-4 hours.
I promise you that when you follow these tips, you will enjoy your favorite candle for longer.