How to Care for Your Candle

A candle is simple to enjoy, but a few small habits make a noticeable difference. Good care helps the wax burn more evenly, keeps the vessel cleaner, and gives you a calmer flame from the first light to the last use.

Start with the first burn

The first burn sets the candle's memory. Let the wax pool melt close to the edge of the vessel before blowing it out. This usually takes longer than a quick test light, but it helps prevent tunneling down the center.

If you only have a few minutes, wait until another time to start a new candle. Short first burns can leave a ring of unmelted wax that the candle may follow for the rest of its life.

Trim the wick

Trim the wick to about 1/4 inch before each burn. A trimmed wick helps keep the flame steady, reduces excess soot, and keeps the jar looking cleaner.

• Let the candle cool before trimming.
• Remove the trimmed wick from the wax pool.
• If the wick forms a mushroomed tip, trim it before relighting.
• Use a wick trimmer for deeper jars when regular scissors feel awkward.

Keep the wax pool clean

Matches, dust, wick pieces, and other debris do not belong in the wax. Clear the surface before lighting so the flame can burn cleanly and the candle remains safe to use.

Let it cool between burns

Hot wax and warm vessels need time to settle. Let the candle cool fully before moving, covering, trimming, or relighting it. This protects the vessel and helps the wax reset evenly.

Know when to stop

Stop using the candle when about 1/2 inch of wax remains at the bottom. Burning too low can overheat the vessel, especially near the end when there is less wax to buffer the heat.