5 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Candles

Candles are a great way to inject some extra relaxation and ambiance into your life. But if you’ve ever had a candle meltdown on you or not give off as much fragrance as you’d like, you know that there’s definitely a right way and a wrong way to burn them! Follow these five tips, and you’ll be a candle-burning pro in no time.

1. Trim the wick before each use. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s actually really important! When you let the wick get too long, it can start to mushroom at the top, which then leads to black soot building up on the glass jar. Not only is this unsightly, but it can also affect how well your candle burns and how much fragrance it gives off. So make sure to trim that wick before each lighting!
2. Burn for 2-3 hours at a time. You may be tempted to leave your candle burning all day long, but trust us; it’s better to stick to shorter burn sessions. That way, the wax melts evenly across the entire surface of the candle, preventing those pesky tunneling problems. Plus, who doesn’t love coming home to a freshly lit candle after a long day?
3. Keep the flame away from drafts. Drafts can cause all sorts of problems for candles, from making them burn faster than normal to making them smoke. So if you’re looking for even, drip-free burning, make sure to keep your candle away from any vents or open windows.
4. Don’t touch hot wax. We know it’s tempting to want to play with the melted wax (especially when it smells so good!), but resist the urge! Hot wax can actually cause first-degree burns, so it’s best just to admire from afar.
5. Let it Cool Completely Before Relighting. Last but not least, always make sure to let your candle cool completely before relighting. Otherwise, you run the risk of cracking the glass jar or getting hot wax splattered on you. Not fun!

That's it! With these five tips in mind, you should be well on your way to becoming a candle-burning pro. Just remember to trim the wick before each use, burn for 2-3 hours at a time, keep the flame away from drafts, don’t touch hot wax, and let it cool completely before relighting. Happy candles!