How to Care for Your Candle: A Three-Part Guide to Longevity, Sustainability and Enjoyment

A well-crafted candle is more than just a fragrance or a decorative piece—it’s an experience, a ritual, and a moment of calm. To fully appreciate its craftsmanship, proper care is essential. Whether you're enjoying a luxurious Blushing Ivy Candle or the Celia Loves range, following a few simple care tips will enhance your candle experience while embracing a more sustainable mindset.

Our three-part guide will walk you through the essentials of responsible candle care:

1. The First Burn: Setting the Foundation for an Even Burn
2. Wick Trimming: Enhancing Efficiency and Reducing Waste
3. Maximise Burn Time: Elevating Your Candle Experience 

By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your candle burns evenly, lasts longer, and contributes to a more eco-conscious home with minimal environmental impact.

Part 1: The First Burn – Setting the Foundation for an Even Burn

The first time you light a candle is critical. This initial burn determines how evenly the wax will melt in subsequent uses. Without proper care, tunnelling—a phenomenon where wax burns straight down the center, leaving excess wax along the sides—can occur, shortening the life of your candle and leading to unnecessary waste.

Why the First Burn Matters

When a candle is first lit, it develops a "memory burn." If the wax does not fully melt to the edges of the vessel, the candle will continue burning in that pattern, creating an inefficient and uneven burn. A full melt pool prevents tunnelling, ensuring that all the wax is used efficiently.

How Long Should the First Burn Be?

• Small candles: 1–2 hours
• Medium candles: 2–3 hours
• Large candles: 3–4 hours

While it may require patience, allowing the wax to reach the vessel’s edges on the first burn significantly extends the candle’s lifespan and ensures a more even burn in the future.

Best Practices for the First Burn

• Place the candle on a flat, heat-resistant surface.
• Avoid drafts, as they can cause an inconsistent flame.
• Allow the wax to fully melt to the edges of the vessel before extinguishing.

Establishing this proper burn pattern from the start means your candle will last longer and burn more efficiently, reducing waste and maximising fragrance dispersion.

Part 2: Wick Trimming – The Key to a Clean and Efficient Burn

Regular wick trimming is one of the most effective ways to maintain a candle’s performance. A properly trimmed wick prevents excessive soot, extends the candle’s life, and ensures a cleaner, more sustainable burn.

Why Wick Trimming is Essential

1. Enhances Candle Longevity
   A wick that is too long burns hotter than necessary, melting the wax too quickly and shortening the candle’s lifespan. Trimming the wick to ¼ inch (0.5 cm) before each burn ensures a steady, controlled flame, allowing the candle to last up to 25% longer.
2. Reduces Soot and Smoke
   Overly long wicks create a larger, flickering flame that produces excess smoke and soot, leaving residue on the candle jar and potentially affecting indoor air quality. Keeping the wick trimmed helps maintain a cleaner, soot-free burn.
3. Prevents Uneven Burning and Wax Waste
   A long wick can lead to uneven melting and tunnelling, causing wax to accumulate along the sides of the vessel. By maintaining a properly trimmed wick, you promote an even burn, ensuring all the wax is used efficiently.

How to Trim Your Wick Properly

1. Before each burn, trim the wick to ¼ inch (0.5 cm).
2. Use a wick trimmer for precision and to catch debris (we recommend the liliLife Wick Trimmer for an effortless cut).
3. Ensure any trimmed wick pieces are removed to keep the wax clean.

This simple yet essential step minimizes waste, improves burn efficiency, and contributes to a more sustainable candle experience.

Part 3: Maximising Burn Time and Elevating Your Candle Experience

Even with optimal care, every candle eventually reaches the end of its wick. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of every moment it burns. Here are some final tips for ensuring a long-lasting, enjoyable, and sustainable candle experience.

How to Maximize Burn Time

1. Burn in Sessions of 2–4 Hours
   Allowing your candle to burn for too long can lead to overheating and excessive wax consumption. Burning in controlled sessions ensures a steady and efficient burn.
2. Avoid Drafts
   A flickering flame caused by air movement results in an uneven burn and wasted wax. Keep your candle in a stable, draft-free location.
3. Stop Burning When ½ Inch of Wax Remains
   Discontinue use when ½ inch (1 cm) of wax is left at the bottom. Burning beyond this point can cause the jar to overheat, posing a potential safety risk.

Creating the Perfect Candle Ambiance

Beyond proper care, the way you experience a candle adds to its enjoyment. Here are a few simple ways to make the most of your candle’s glow and fragrance:

• Choose the Right Space: Candles perform best in areas where their scent can circulate gently. Consider placing them in spaces like your living room, bedroom, or workspace for a relaxing atmosphere.
• Layer Scents Mindfully: If you enjoy multiple candles, select complementary fragrances that enhance each other rather than compete. For instance, pairing a warm vanilla scent with a soft floral or woodsy aroma creates a balanced and inviting environment.
• Time Your Candle Use: To fully appreciate the expanse of scent, light your candle 30–60 minutes before you want to enjoy its full fragrance.
• Engage Your Senses: The flickering glow of a candle can be a wonderful part of a mindful moment. Pair your candle with a warm cup of tea, a good book, or a soothing playlist to create a multi-sensory experience.
• Store Candles Properly: When not in use, keep your candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve their fragrance and wax quality.

By integrating these small rituals into your love for candles, you can turn the practice into a meaningful and sensory-rich experience, while also ensuring that your candles last as long as possible.

A Mindful Approach to Candle Care

Proper candle maintenance is not just about aesthetics—it’s about embracing sustainability, reducing waste, and ensuring a longer-lasting experience. By following these simple yet impactful steps—establishing an even first burn, trimming the wick regularly, and maximizing burn time, whilst creating the perfect ambiance—you can enhance your candle’s performance while making an eco-conscious choice.

For those who appreciate craftsmanship and sustainability, investing in high-quality candles such as the Blushing Ivy Candle or the Celia Loves range ensures a clean, responsible burn from start to finish.

A little care goes a long way. With mindful practices, your candles will last longer, burn cleaner, and contribute to a more sustainable home environment—allowing you to fully enjoy every flicker of light and every note of fragrance.

Author

Alyssa Broughton