We’ve all done it.
You get a brand-new candle. It smells amazing. You light it immediately, let it burn for an hour… maybe two… blow it out… and the next time you light it, there’s a weird little tunnel forming in the middle like it’s trying to dig its way to the Earth’s core. Suddenly your candle isn’t burning evenly, the wax is clinging to the sides, and now it looks like a tiny wax crater instead of the cozy glow you were promised.
The good news?
Your candle isn’t broken; it just needs a little TLC. Proper candle care can drastically increase your candle’s lifespan and help you get the most out of every burn (because let’s be honest… nobody wants to waste good wax).
The First Burn Is the Most Important One
Think of your first burn as setting the tone for the entire life of your candle.
The first time you light it, you want the melted wax to reach all the way to the edges of the jar before blowing it out. This usually takes about 2-4 hours, depending on the size of your candle.
Why does this matter?
Because candles have something called “memory.”
If you blow it out too soon the first time, the wax will remember that smaller melt pool and continue burning that way, which leads to tunneling.
And once tunneling starts, it’s hard to reverse.
Trim Your Wick (Yes, Every Time)
Before each burn, trim your wick to about ¼ inch.
A long wick can:
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Cause your candle to burn too hot
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Create soot or smoke
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Make the flame too large
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Burn through your wax faster than necessary
Trimming your wick helps your candle burn slower, cleaner, and more evenly, which means more cozy nights and fewer sad “why is this gone already?” moments.
Don’t Burn It for Too Short… or Too Long
There is such a thing as overdoing it.
Try to keep your burn sessions between:
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2-4 hours at a time
Burning your candle for too short of a time doesn’t allow a full melt pool to form (hello, tunneling again), while burning it for too long can:
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Overheat the jar
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Warp the wax
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Shorten the overall lifespan of your candle
Think of it like reading a chapter, long enough to enjoy it, but not so long you burn through the whole story in one sitting.
Avoid Drafty Areas
Candles may be cozy… but they are also dramatic.
Burning your candle near:
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Fans
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Open windows
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Air vents
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Frequently opened doors
…can cause the flame to flicker unevenly, leading to:
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Uneven burning
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Wax build-up on one side
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Faster wax consumption
Try to place your candle somewhere calm and still, like your favorite reading nook.
Stop at ½ Inch of Wax
Once your candle reaches about ½ inch of wax remaining, it’s time to retire it.
Burning past this point can potentially:
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Overheat the container
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Damage surfaces underneath
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Become unsafe
Plus, this gives you the perfect excuse to start a new one!
Final Thoughts
Taking a few simple steps can turn your candle from a quick weekend burn into a long-lasting companion for your coziest evenings. With proper care, you’ll enjoy a cleaner, more even burn, and get to savor every moment your favorite fragrance has to offer.
Because every flame deserves to last as long as the story you’re reading beside it.
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