Learn with CANDO how to take care of your candles so you can get the best experience!
Make sure your candle burns evenly the first time you light it.
When you light a candle for the first time, let it burn for a while. You want to ensure the entire surface of the candle melts before you put it out. If you don't, your candle could end up with a rim of solid wax that never ends up melting. (This is called tunneling—and you've probably seen it happen.)
Keep your candle clean.
Once you've used a candle a few times, you may notice that soot and other debris have accumulated inside the container. Clean this gunk out the moment you see it
Trim your candle's wick.
If you want a clean, even burn, make sure your candle's wick is the right length. This might require some trimming. Before you light your candle, double-check your wick's length. If it's longer than the recommended 0.25 inches, use scissors (or a wick trimmer) to neatly trim it. Try to be as precise as you can. A too-short wick can get lost in a sea of melted wax and fail to light.
Minimize mess when putting out your candle.
When it comes time to put out your candle, do so carefully. If your candle came in a jar, you can put it out by placing the lid back on. Or you can invest in a proper snuffer. "Blowing a candle out works, but should be done carefully," LaVanier says. "Be gentle, using only the amount of air needed." If you blow too hard, you can cause wax to splatter everywhere—wasting your wax and creating a mess for you to clean up.
Retire your candle while there's still wax in it.
You should stop using a candle before it completely runs out of wax. Why? If you let your candle burn all the way down, it could overheat its container—which could damage the container, create a mess, or both. Most candle experts recommend retiring your candle while there's still 0.5 inches of wax left in it.
Store your candles in a cool, dark place.
Unfortunately, your candles can expire over time. And while they're unlikely to spoil the same way food does, they can lose their fragrance, become discolored, or otherwise grow stale. Temperature fluctuations can speed the aging process up—and light can, too. Find a cool, dark place to store your candles between seasons. (Brown recommends storing your candles at room temperature.) And whenever possible, try to light your candles within 12 to 16 months of buying them.