How to Look After Your Candle - Our Candle Care Guide
There is something lovely about lighting a candle, particularly when it's one of your favourite fragrances.
But how you look after your candle can make quite a difference to the way it burns. A few simple things, particularly looking after the wick and getting that first burn right can help you get the best from it.
So here are our tips for looking after your Heyland & Whittle candle from the first light to the last.
Get the First Burn Right
The first burn is an important one.
When you light your candle for the first time, allow the melted wax pool to develop evenly across the surface, or as close to the edge of the vessel as the candle is designed to achieve.
This helps encourage an even burn and reduces the chance of tunnelling, where the candle burns down through the middle leaving unused wax around the sides.
So if you've only got ten minutes before you need to leave the house, that's probably not the moment to light your lovely new candle for the first time!
Always stay within the maximum burn time shown on the candle's safety instructions.
Trim Your Wick
Before lighting your candle, check the wick and trim it to approximately 5mm if necessary.
You may notice a small dark “mushroom” developing on the end of the wick after the candle has been burning. Once the candle is completely cool, this can simply be trimmed away before you light it again.
Keeping the wick at the correct length helps control the flame and can reduce smoking and excess soot.
It only takes a few seconds, but it can make a real difference to the way your candle burns.
Don't Burn It for Too Long
More isn't necessarily better when it comes to burn time.
Give your candle enough time to establish a good wax pool, but don't leave it burning indefinitely. Always follow the maximum burn time given on the candle.
Once you've extinguished it, allow the wax to cool and completely reset before lighting it again.
And, of course, never leave a burning candle unattended.
Keep Your Candle Away From Draughts
A flickering candle might look lovely, but a flame that's constantly being pushed around by moving air isn't ideal.
Keep candles away from open windows, fans, draughty doorways and other areas with strong air movement. A draught can cause the flame to lean or flicker excessively and may result in an uneven burn.
Always place your candle on a stable, heat-resistant surface and away from anything that could catch fire.
Keep the Wax Clean
Have a quick look at your candle before you light it.
Remove any pieces of trimmed wick, spent matches or other debris that may have fallen into the wax.
You don't want anything other than the wick sitting close to the flame.
What if the Wick Moves?
Occasionally, a wick may move slightly away from the centre as the candle burns.
After extinguishing the candle, and only while it is safe to do so, the wick can be carefully repositioned towards the centre while the wax remains soft.
Never attempt to move a wick while the candle is burning and never touch hot wax.
Know When It's Time to Stop
This is particularly important.
Don't burn a candle right down to the bottom of the vessel.
Once it reaches the minimum remaining wax level stated in the candle's safety instructions, it's time to stop using it. Continuing to burn a candle with very little wax remaining can cause the base of the container to become excessively hot.
We know it's particularly annoying when it's your favourite fragrance, but that's definitely the point at which we'd rather you started another one!
A Few Simple Habits
Looking after a candle really isn't complicated.
Keep the wick trimmed, give the first burn enough time, keep the wax clear of debris, avoid draughts and don't burn it for longer than recommended.
Most importantly, always follow the safety information supplied with your candle.
Do those few things and you'll give your candle the best chance of burning cleanly and evenly throughout its life.
Candle Care FAQs
Why is my candle tunnelling?
Tunnelling can occur when the wax doesn't melt sufficiently across the surface before the candle is extinguished, particularly during the earlier burns. Following the recommended burn instructions can help encourage a more even wax pool.
How short should I trim my candle wick?
For our candles, approximately 5mm, unless the instructions supplied with your particular candle state otherwise. Always allow the candle to cool before trimming the wick.
Why is my candle flame too large?
A wick that has become too long can contribute to a larger flame. Extinguish the candle safely, allow it to cool completely, check and trim the wick before relighting.
If a candle continues to burn abnormally after you've followed the instructions, stop using it and contact us.
Can I leave a candle burning while I leave the room?
No. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
Keep burning candles away from children and pets and away from anything that could catch fire.
How can I make my scented candle last longer?
Good candle care helps. Keep the wick properly trimmed, follow the recommended burn times, keep the candle away from draughts and allow it to cool completely between burns.
Enjoy Your Candle
That's really all there is to it.
A few seconds checking the wick and a little care over where and how you burn your candle can make a considerable difference.
Then you can concentrate on the important bit, choosing which fragrance to light.
