Did you know that there's a proper way to burn a candle? A method that will make your beloved candles last longer and burn evenly. With these tips, you'll be able to get the most out of your candles and enjoy them for even longer.
1. Burn a new candle for longer
Burning a new candle for only a few minutes can set it up for an uneven burn. It creates a small pool of wax and the next time you burn it, it will struggle to melt outside of this. You'll find your candle burns only in the centre, leaving a wall of unmelted wax around the outside. The wick will go deeper into the candle and burn quicker, shortening the life of your candle.
Instead, when you first burn a candle, let it burn a full pool of melted wax from rim to rim. Depending on the size of the candle, this will be around 2-3 hours.
2. Trim your wicks
Trim your wicks for a bright but controlled flame. If a wick is long or wonky, it can make the candle burn unevenly, causing the candle to burn quicker and tunnel downwards.
Wait for your candle to cool completely and turn it upside down. Pull the burnt part of the wick off with a tissue, then trim the wick to about 1/4 of an inch before burning (not lower!). After this, your wick will be ready to light again.
3. Keep your candle away from drafts
Drafts can cause your candle to burn unevenly for a number of reasons. Firstly, it can push the flame towards one side of the wax, melting it quicker than the rest. It can also produce excessive smoke or soot from unburned carbon particles. The added oxygen from a draft can also create a larger flame - making your candle burnout quicker.
Place your candle away from any windows, open doors or drafty areas to ensure it maintains a slow, even burn.
4. Keep the wax debris-free
When debris gets in the pool of melted wax, it can make the candle burn unevenly. It can also clog the wick preventing it from diffusing the scent.
Make sure you pick up any debris that might be left when trimming the wick. If any debris enters melted wax, wait until you blow out the candle and fish it out with a cocktail stick (or equivalent).