Yep, there’s a right (and wrong) way to burn a candle.
1. It's Not Ready ’Til the Lid Says So
Make sure you "wait until (date) to light!"
The natural, nontoxic ingredients you love need a liiiiiiittle time to cure to let the wax and fragrance bond together. Light too soon and the fragrance burns off the first, leaving the rest un- or under-unscented. (BLEH.)
I try to pour ahead, but some scents fly off the shelves and have me pouring every week!
💡 Pro tip: Can’t wait for that date? Pop the lid off and let it hang out nearby. Instant, no-flame scent diffuser.
2. Make The First Burn Count
That first light? It’s make-or-break. Let the wax melt all the way to the edges of the vessel. Depending on conditions, it should take ~2 hours. A full first burn prevents tunneling (when your candle burns straight down and skips the wax on the edges).
Tunneling is a HUGE waste of wax and not your friend.
Tunnel Train already left the station? You have options: 1. use a candle warmer, 2. melt with a heat gun (NOT a hairdryer), or 3. carefully make a tin foil tent around the outside of the vessel (leave the top open).
3. Trim It to Win It
A wick trimmed to 1/4" (YES--every time) helps your candle burn correctly, last longer, and prevents an unsafe flame. Your wick = flame fuel, and too much fuel means the flame burns hotter than it’s meant to.
A hotter flame burns through wax faster and wastes your money! The best tool is a wick trimmer, or you can use scissors or old nail clippers in a pinch.
(Not trimming *might* also keep your wick from staying lit the second time. When the extra charred bits burn too hot, the wick burns out before the flame reaches the wax.)
Womp womp.
4. Don’t Overstay Your Wick-come
Burn time sweet spot = 2–4 hours.
Less, and you’re back in Tunnel Town. More, and your candle gets unsafe and starts burning through wax like crazy (a too-big flame is a no-go).
Let the candle cool completely before relighting.
5. Where, Oh Where to Put it?
Candles burn best—and safest—when they’re not stuck in a drafty spot (think open windows, ceiling fans, or the hallway that turns into a wind tunnel every time someone opens the door).
Keep yours on a stable, heat-safe surface, away from anything flammable (curtains, books, the pile of mail you’ve been meaning to sort), and out-of-reach of anything cute (kiddos and fur babies).
Always give that candle plenty of breathing room—no shelves right above it, no plants crowding in, no fire danger.
6. Snuff Said
Never use the lid to snuff out your candle. Sealing a live flame traps heat inside the tin, making the container WAY too hot and even warping the metal. (Danger! Danger!)
It also leaves a layer of black soot on the underside of the lid and forces all that smoky residue into the wax, so instead of a clean next burn, you end up with a messy one.
The safe move? Blow it out first, or use a candle snuffer if you have one, then cover with the lid—your fingers (and your candle) will thank you.
7. Keep it Cool (and Dry, and Dark)
When you’re not burning, store candles in a cool, dry spot out of direct sunlight (with the lid on to help lock in scent long-term).
You might be tempted to stack them in your windowsill, (this is really common for some reason) but if you love your candles, YOU WILL NOT DO THIS.
Try to burn candles within a year for best results.
8. The Last Flicker (Dun, Dun, Dun...)
Your candle’s pretty smart, and it’ll tell you when it’s ready for retirement. Once that wick is spent, it will self-extinguish and not let you light it again.
BUT that candle still needs supervised and should never be unattended. Only YOU can keep your candle from getting lonely and lighting something on fire in protest.