6 Useful Tips on How to Get the Most Out of Your Candles
Some people are absolutely mad about candles. Perhaps you’re one of these people? Don’t worry if you are, we are too! There’s certainly a lot more to candles than just lighting one up and letting it burn! There are a number of things you can do to look after your candles, which will help them last a little longer and burn a bit better.
Below are six useful tips on how to get the most out of your candles.
- Allow the candle to burn for a few hours on its first burn
The very first time you light up a new candle, allow it to burn for a good 3 to 4 hours before putting it out. This enables the wax to melt and reach the outer edges of the glass, which stops the candle from burning right down the middle. By doing this your candle will last for much longer!
- Don’t allow the candle to burn for too long though!
Having said that, you don’t want to let your candle burn for too long! 5 to 6 hours is about the limit. If you let it burn for much longer you run the risk of it getting too hot and the wick may get too long. Give the candle enough time to solidify before trimming the wick and lighting it up for a second time.
- Ensure the environment is safe for the candle
Make sure the candle is placed upon a surface that is non-flammable and heat resistant, well away from anything that could catch fire. Also be careful not to place a hot candle on any cool surfaces, such as glass or marble, as the heat could cause them to crack. And of course, never ever leave a lit candle unattended!
- Trim the candle wick down before lighting
We know how tempting it is to just take a new candle and let her burn, but take a step back for a moment. Before lighting a new candle always trim the wick down. By trimming the wick down to 1/8” you’ll help the candle burn slower, which means it’ll last a little while longer. When trimming the wick, make sure the wax has solidified and don’t let any of the cuttings fall into the glass as they make a mess of the wax.
- Center the candle wick properly
Once you’ve blown out your candle allow it to cool down for a while. Once it’s cool you can gently coax the wick back into the center of the candle. This is important as wicks tend to move about over time. If they get too close to the glass then they can cause it to shatter, due to the heat. The added benefit of centering the candle wick is that straight wicks burn for longer!
- Let your candle die once there’s less than 1/4" of wax left
It’s time to say goodbye to your beloved candle once the wax ends up a quarter of an inch or less. This guideline is the industry safety standard and we’d recommend adhering to it. See this as an opportunity to try out a new candle!
These small but useful tips can help you get the most out of your candles. Your candles will burn for longer, and the wax will be much happier!