Your Guide to Burn a Candle

Extend the life of your favorite candles, prevent unsightly soot and tunneling, and burn candles like a pro by following these simple tips:

  • Burn only on a stable heat resistant surface for not more than 4 hours.
  • Before you light a candle, always trim the wick to ¼ inch and remove any debris left in the wax pool such as the burned wick.
  • Candles should burn one hour for every 1 inch in diameter of the actual candle size. For example, a candle that is 3 inches across should burn for 3 hours to Allow pool of wax to extend to the outside rim of the jar.
  • When burning a candle, avoid proximity to fans, air conditioners, open windows, or crowded areas with people walking back and forth. Moving air can disturb the flame, resulting in those pesky black marks on the glass.
  • Extinguish flame by placing lid on candle or by dipping wick into the melted wax pool, then reposition.

Burning a candle for too long will cause carbon to collect on the wick, leading it to “mushroom.” The wick will then become unstable and produce a dangerously large flame. Plus, your candle will start to smoke and release soot.

In general, it is recommended that candles do not burn for longer than four hours and cool for at least two hours before relighting. Your candles will burn up to 25% longer if you follow instructions.

Store candles in a cool, dark and dry place with the lid on to keep them clean of dust and debris, and to help protect the wax and fragrance. Highly fragrant candles have a life span of 6 to 12 months, depending on the scent. If you enjoy fragranced candles, then use and replace them often to avoid deterioration in appearance and performance.