Welcome to prime candle-burning season! The air is crisp, the coziest blankets are out, and we're all ready to fill our homes with the scents of fall. As you light your favorite autumn candles, we want to make sure you're getting the best, cleanest, and safest burn from the first light to the very last.
We've all been there—the candle that burns down in a deep tunnel, the wick that billows black smoke, or the jar that gets dangerously hot. The good news is that these common issues are almost always preventable.
Are you making one of these three common candle mistakes? Here's our simple guide to perfect candle care.
Mistake #1: The "Tunneling" Trap (A Bad First Burn)
The Problem: Your candle has burned straight down the middle, leaving a thick wall of hard, unused wax around the edges of the jar. This is called "tunneling," and it dramatically shortens the life of your candle.
The Fix: The First Burn is Everything. Wax has a "memory." On the very first burn, you must let the candle stay lit long enough for the entire top surface to melt into a liquid pool of wax, all the way to the edges of the container. This can take an average of 4 hours, depending on the size of the candle.
Why it Matters: This full "melt pool" sets the memory for every burn after. If you only let it burn for an hour, it will only ever "remember" to melt that small-diameter circle, leading to a tunnel and all that wasted wax.
Mistake #2: Forgetting to Trim Your Wick
The Problem: You light your candle and it immediately sputters, pops, or lets off a high, smoky flame, leaving soot stains on your jar (or even your wall!).
The Fix: Trim Your Wick, Every Time. Before every single time you light your candle, trim the wick to about 1/4 of an inch. You can use a wick trimmer, nail clippers, or even your fingers to gently pinch off the charred "mushroom" top.
Why it Matters: A trimmed wick creates a clean, calm, and appropriately sized flame. A long, untrimmed wick is what causes all that excess smoke and soot, and it can cause your candle to burn too hot. This simple step is the #1 secret to a clean, long-lasting burn.
Mistake #3: Burning it Too Long (or Too Low)
The Problem: You've left a candle burning all day long, and the jar is dangerously hot to the touch. Or, you're trying to get one last burn out of a candle that's nearly empty.
The Fix: Know When to Say Goodbye. We have two rules for this:
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The 4-Hour Rule: As a general rule, don't burn any container candle for more than 4 hours at a time. This keeps the wax and vessel from overheating, which can compromise the jar's integrity and make the wick unstable.
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The 1/2-Inch Rule: Always, always stop burning your candle when there is 1/2 inch of wax left at the bottom.
Why it Matters: Safety! Burning a candle past the 4-hour mark can be a hazard. And burning a candle all the way down to the bottom can cause the container to get so hot it could crack or damage the surface it's on. It's simply not worth the risk.
That's it! By avoiding these three simple mistakes, you'll ensure every candle you light burns cleanly, safely, and beautifully, letting you enjoy every last drop of that cozy fall fragrance.
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