Key takeaways:
- Candle mushrooming is a small, black cap at the end of a candle wick.
- Mushrooming occurs when the flame consumes more fuel than it can burn.
- Trimming your wicks and using high-quality candles can prevent candle mushrooming.
If you’re a lover of scented candles, then knowing how to care for them is just as important as picking out your favorite scents.
This guide will take a close look at mushrooming, one of the most common issues people have with their scented candles, as well as the most common causes, fixes, and how to prevent it from happening in the first place.
What Is Candle Mushrooming?
Candle mushrooming refers to the buildup of a small, black cap at the end of the wick that can appear after burning. This cap is known as the “mushroom” and is full of carbon. When a wick starts to mushroom excessively, it can be difficult and, in extreme cases, almost impossible to light the candle.
What Causes Candle Mushrooming?
Given that candle mushrooming is so common, you might think that it’s an inevitable result of burning a candle, but it actually has a specific cause. Mushrooming happens when the flame consumes more fuel than it can burn. In this instance, the “fuel” would be the wax, fragrance, and dye.
When this happens, incomplete combustion occurs, which creates the carbon-filled caps. Candle mushrooming is usually a result of long, extended burn times, candles made with too much fragrance, or an oversized wick.
How To Fix Candle Mushrooming
Now that you know exactly what candle mushrooming is and where it comes from, it’s time to consider how to fix it. If you notice that the wick on your candle is mushrooming, put the candle out and wait for it to cool and dry completely.
Once the wax is totally solidified, use wick trimmers to trim the wick down. If you don’t have wick trimmers on hand, you can also use scissors or nail clippers. Regardless of what tool you use, make sure to clip off the mushroom and leave only a ¼-inch long wick.
From there, slightly bend the trimmed wick to one side or the other. A bent wick will produce less buildup than one that is standing straight up. With your wick trimmed and slightly bent, all you need to do is clean up the debris from the surface of your candle, and you’re ready to light it again.
How To Prevent Candle Mushrooming
The best way to prevent candle mushrooming is to make sure you’re buying high-quality candles that are made with quality wicks. For example, the scented candles at Snif are all made from 100% pure cotton fiber wicks that ensure a clean, safe, and extended burn.
You can also prevent mushrooming by trimming the wick of your candle down to ¼-inch before every burn. Burning your candles for four hours or less and keeping all candles away from vents, drafts, and open windows are other ways to guarantee that your candle never mushrooms.
Even Burn, Every Time
As a certified candle-pro, you’ve now got everything you need to get an even burn out of your candles, every time. With this information in your back pocket, all that’s left for you to do is choose the next signature scented candle for your home
FAQs
How are candle mushrooming and tunnelling different?
Candle mushrooming affects the wick of the candle, while tunnelling occurs in the wax of the candle itself. Mushrooming refers to a small carbon cap that forms at the top of the wick when there’s too much fuel. Tunneling is a pit that forms in the center of the candle around the wick when the wax on the edge does not melt.
What causes candle mushrooming?
The main cause is when there’s too much fuel for the flame to burn evenly. An abundance of fragrance or dye, burning the candle for too long, or an oversized wick are all different causes of mushrooming.
What can I do if my candle is mushrooming?
You can fix a candle that is mushrooming by giving it time to cool and then trimming the wick so that it is only ¼-inch long. Bend the wick slightly, clean up the debris, and your candle is ready for the next burn.
Sources:
Candle Science | National Candle Association
Worried if Candles Are Toxic? | Cleveland Clinic
Elements of a Candle: Fragrance | National Candle Association