Candle Care Guide

A beautifully made candle deserves a little care. By following a few simple steps, you can help your candle burn more evenly, reduce soot and tunnelling, and enjoy its fragrance for longer.

If you have ever struggled with an uneven burn, a buried wick or black marks around the jar, these five simple candle care tips can make all the difference.

1. Trim the Wick

Before each burn, trim the wick to around 5 mm, unless the candle maker advises otherwise. A wick that is too long can create a larger flame, cause soot and lead to uneven burning.

Always let the candle cool completely before trimming, and remove any loose wick trimmings from the wax before relighting.

2. Keep the Wick Centred

A centred wick helps your candle burn more evenly and prevents the flame from getting too close to one side of the container.

If the wick begins to lean, extinguish the candle and allow the wax to cool slightly. While the wax is still soft, gently move the wick back towards the centre.

3. Burn for the Right Amount of Time

Try to allow the wax pool to melt close to the edges of the container on each burn. This helps prevent candle tunnelling, where wax is left around the sides and the candle burns down the middle.

As a general rule, avoid burning your candle for more than four hours at a time. Burning for too long can cause the wick to mushroom, smoke or become unstable.

4. Keep Candles Away from Draughts

Place candles away from open windows, fans, air conditioning and draughty doorways. A flickering flame may look appealing, but draughts can cause uneven burning, smoking and soot.

For the best burn, your candle should have a calm, steady flame.

5. Know When to Stop Burning

Never allow a candle to burn all the way down to the bottom of the container. As a general guide, stop burning when around 1 cm of wax remains, or sooner if the candle maker advises it.

This helps prevent the vessel from overheating or becoming damaged.

Candle Safety

Alongside good candle care, it is important to use candles safely. Always read and follow any instructions provided with your candle.

Always

• Place candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
• Keep the wick trimmed and centred.
• Burn candles in a well-ventilated, draught-free area.
• Keep the wax free from matches, wick trimmings and other debris.
• Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
• Leave space between burning candles.

Never

• Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• Never move a candle while it is lit or while the wax is still liquid.
• Never burn a candle near anything flammable.
• Never allow the flame to touch the side of the container.
• Never burn a candle in its gift box or packaging.
• Never use water to extinguish a candle.

A Little Care Goes a Long Way

With a little attention between burns, you can enjoy a cleaner, more even burn and get the very best from your candle.

Looking for your next favourite fragrance? Explore our Candles collection to discover beautifully made candles from British brands.