TLDR:
- Trim the wick to ¼ inch before every light.
- Let the first burn reach a full, edge-to-edge melt pool (usually two to three hours).
- Keep candles away from drafts and burn in three to four-hour sessions.
- Stop burning when ¼-½ inch of wax remains in the vessel.
There’s something indescribably exciting about bringing home a new scented candle (especially one from Snif), and there’s nothing more upsetting than when it starts to mushroom or tunnel right away.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through all the steps for proper candle maintenance so that you get the cleanest burns and the longest life out of all of your scented candles, with no mushrooms or tunnels in sight.
What Tools Are Helpful for Candle Care?
Before we get to the candle care best practices, it’s important to know what tools you’ll need at home to keep your candles well-maintained.
The first tool you should have on hand is a wick trimmer. Made to easily cut wicks down, a wick trimmer keeps wicks at a consistent ¼", reducing soot and mushrooming.
If you don’t yet have a wick trimmer at home, a pair of scissors or a nail clipper can work as a substitute when necessary. However, a wick trimmer will help you get the cleanest cut and help keep your other items clean.
It’s also handy to have a snuffer or wick dipper at home. These tools allow you to extinguish a flame without splatter or lingering smoke. Alongside keeping you safe, a snuffer can also help prevent soot on jars.
To safely light your candles, invest in a long-reach or electric lighter. Either of these is especially useful when you’re trying to light candles with deep vessels or multi-wick jars.
Once your candle is lit, place it on a heat-safe surface like a coaster or tray. Heat-safe surfaces protect tables and counters, stabilize the candle’s vessel, and keep the base cool and level.
What Are Some Candle Care Best Practices?
As soon as you have the right tools, you’re ready to start taking great care of your candles. This section will take a look at some of the best practices for at-home candle maintenance.
Trim Wicks
One of the most important rules of thumb to keep in mind when it comes to caring for candles is to always trim the wick. Aim to trim wicks to ¼" and remove any trimmings from the wax before lighting.
Trimming the wick has several benefits for the candle. First, it guarantees a more even burn and enhances the scent throw. It also reduces the possibility of a large flame that produces lots of smoke or soot, making your candles more fire-safe.
Place on a Heat-Resistant Surface
Once your candle is lit, it’s important to place it on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
Although it can be tempting to squeeze candles onto windowsills or on a crowded desk, they should always be on a solid surface with plenty of extra space around them. Be sure never to move a lit candle, or do so very carefully.
Avoid Drafts
When looking for the right spot for your candle, it’s also important to avoid areas with drafts, such as vents, fans, and open windows. Doing so will prevent uneven burns as well as excessive smoking and soot production.
Candles placed near drafts are also a risk for fire safety because there’s a higher chance that they will ignite nearby objects.
Burn Safely
To safely burn candles at home, there are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind. First things first, always burn your candle within sight.
Many people love the idea of lighting a candle in the bathroom or laundry room and leaving it there to burn for a few hours. Although this might seem like a shortcut for improving the smell of your home, it’s an unnecessary risk. Instead, light a candle while you’re doing your face routine or folding laundry, and blow it out once you leave the room.
It’s also advisable to keep candles far away from children, pets, and flammable materials. Children and pets can easily bump into table legs or pull on tablecloths. That’s why it’s always best to place candles far back on counters and out of reach of little hands and paws.
Burn for Three to Four Hours
Make sure to limit each burn session to approximately three or four hours. After your candle is done burning, let the wax cool and reset before relighting. This will help you avoid tunneling and extend the lifespan of your candles.
Stop Burning When Wax Is Low
Last but certainly not least, make sure to stop using your candle when only ¼-½" of wax remains. In other words, do not burn a candle all the way to the bottom. Burning past this point may cause the jar to overheat, crack, or, in extreme cases, break.
The Right Burn Every Time
With these simple tools and tricks in mind, you have everything you need to take good care of your candles and get the best burn possible. Remember, maintaining your candles doesn’t have to be complicated.
By trimming the wick, carefully choosing where to place them, and burning them safely, you can easily make candles a staple in your home decor. Now all you need to do is pick out a few of your favorite scented candles from Snif and light away!
FAQs
How long should I let a candle burn?
When burning candles at home, aim for sessions of about three to four hours. That’s usually enough to reach a full, even melt pool without overheating the vessel. Once you’re ready to put the candle out, extinguish the flame, allow the wax to fully cool and harden, then trim the wick to ¼" before the next light.
How short should I trim the wick?
Trim the wick to about ¼ inch (roughly 6-7 mm) before every light. A shorter, even wick reduces soot, smoking, and “mushrooming,” helping your candle burn longer and cleaner. Use a wick trimmer or scissors and remove any loose trimmings from the wax.
How do I fix candle tunneling?
Always make sure to burn the candle long enough to reach an edge-to-edge melt pool (often two to three hours). If tunneling persists, gently foil-wrap the rim to reflect heat for one session. Once the wax is level, return to normal three to four hour burns and regular trims.
When should I stop using a candle?
Stop using your candle once ¼-½ inch of wax remains at the bottom. Burning below that can overheat the vessel or surface. If there’s fragrance left, you can warm the remaining wax on a candle warmer (without flame) and then recycle the jar.
Do drafts really matter for candles?
Yes. Moving air causes the flame to dance, which creates soot, uneven melt pools, and wasted wax. Always keep your candles away from vents, fans, AC units, and open windows. If the flame leans to one side, relocate the candle or block the draft.
What’s the best way to store candles?
You should store candles upright in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Cap or box your candles to keep dust off the wax and wick. Avoid temperature swings that can crack wax or sweat oils. If possible, keep candles with different scents separated.
Sources:
Action of the Week: Recyle Your Candle Jars | Thompson Earth Systems Institute
Candle Safety Tips | National Candle Association
Are Scented Candles and Air Fresheners Harming Your Child? | Nationwide Children’s Hospital