The Art of Candle Care: How to Make Your Candles Last Longer.
The Art of Candle Care: How to Make Your Candles Last Longer.
Candles do more than just fill a room with beautiful fragrance—they create ambiance, comfort, and relaxation. But to get the most out of your candles, proper care is essential. Follow these expert tips to extend the life of your candles and keep them burning beautifully every time.
1. Trim Your Wick Before Every Burn
One of the easiest yet most important steps in candle care is trimming the wick. Before each use, trim the wick to about 5mm (1/4 inch). A properly trimmed wick prevents excessive smoking, reduces soot, and ensures a cleaner burn. Long wicks can create larger flames, which burn through wax faster than necessary.
Tip: Use a wick trimmer for precision, especially once the candle burns deeper into the jar.
2. Let Your Candle Form a Full Melt Pool
The first time you burn a candle is crucial. Allow it to burn long enough for the melted wax to reach the edges of the container. This process, called a full melt pool, helps prevent tunneling—when wax burns straight down the center, leaving unused wax around the edges.
Why it matters: A full melt pool ensures even burning for the candle’s entire life and releases the maximum fragrance throw.
3. Avoid Burning for Too Long
While a longer burn might seem tempting, it can actually shorten your candle’s lifespan. For optimal results, burn your candle for no more than 3-4 hours at a time.
Why? Overburning can lead to:
• The container getting too hot.
• Excessive wax consumption.
• A mushroom-shaped wick, which can create more soot.
4. Keep Your Candle Away from Drafts
Candles need a calm environment to burn evenly. Drafts can cause the flame to flicker, leading to uneven melting, smoking, and potential wax spillage.
Ideal locations:
• Center pieces on tables.
• Shelves away from windows and vents.
5. Store Your Candles Correctly
Proper storage is key to preserving both the scent and appearance of your candles. Keep them in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
Why it matters:
• Heat can cause wax to soften and lose its shape.
• UV exposure can fade fragrance and discolour the wax.
6. Recenter the Wick After Burning
Once you extinguish your candle (ideally using a snuffer), check the wick. If it has shifted, gently recenter it while the wax is still warm but not hot.
Why?
• A centered wick ensures even wax consumption.
• Prevents overheating one side of the jar.
7. Use the Right Tools
For a professional candle care routine, consider these tools:
• Wick Trimmer: For a perfect wick length every time.
• Candle Snuffer: To extinguish the flame without splashing wax.
• Wick Dipper: Ideal for dipping the wick into the melted wax to avoid smoke.
8. Stop Burning When There’s 1cm of Wax Left
Once your candle burns down to the final centimetre of wax, it’s time to stop using it. Burning beyond this point can cause the jar to overheat, which can be a safety hazard.
Tip: Repurpose your empty candle jars! Clean them out and use them for storage or décor.
Why Proper Candle Care Matters
Taking care of your candles isn’t just about making them last longer—it also enhances safety, prevents waste, and ensures you get the best fragrance experience.
At The Smelly Cow Co., we craft our candles using a premium parasoy blend, designed for a clean, long-lasting burn with rich scent throw. Treat your candles with care, and they’ll reward you with hours of cozy ambiance.