Secrets that let your candle last longer

There's a right way to care for your candles—and a wrong way that might surprise some. After all, how much attention could one candle need? But the truth is, there are certain steps you should take if you want to keep your candles in top condition.

How to care for candles:

Make sure your candle burns evenly

When you light the candle for the first time, let it burn for a while. You want the entire surface of the candle to melt before you blow it out. If you don't, your candle could end up with a rim of solid wax that never melts. This is called tunneling, and you've probably seen it before. If you want all the wax in your candle to burn out, let it burn out evenly before you blow it out.

Keep the candle clean

After using the candle a few times, you may notice that soot and other impurities have accumulated inside the container. Clean up the goon as soon as you see it. Impurities that stick out above the wax can be ignited by the candle flame and produce more flames in the candle. Use tweezers (or something similar) to pull the wick scraps out of your candle wax whenever you see them. Use a dry towel to remove soot, fingerprints and other dirt particles.

Trim the candle wick

If you want a clean and even burn, make sure the candle wick is the right length. This may require some trimming. Double check the wick length before lighting the candle. If it's longer than the recommended 0.25 inches, use scissors (or a wick trimmer) to trim it neatly. Try to be as specific as possible. A wick that is too short can get lost in a sea of ​​melted wax and fail to light.

Minimize the mess when blowing out a candle

When it comes time to blow out the candle, do it carefully. If your candle has gotten into the jar, you can extinguish it by putting the lid back on. Or you can invest in a proper snuffer. You can also extinguish the candle by dipping the wick in melted wax. Using a special candle tool called a wick dipper to push the wick into the wax, then straighten it back out before it dries.

Retire Your Candle With Wax in it

You should stop using the candle before it runs out of wax. Why? If you let the candle burn all the way down, it could overheat the container - which could damage the container, make a mess, or both. Most candle experts recommend discarding a candle while it still has 0.5 inches of wax left in it. Remember, you can always clean the wax and reuse the container. Give your vessels another life and repurpose them for other purposes - as a flower vase, orchid pot, pencil holder, make-up holder or even a drinking glass.

Store candles in a cool and dark place

Unfortunately, your candles may expire over time. And while they're unlikely to spoil in the same way as food, they can lose fragrance, change color, or otherwise go stale. Fluctuations in temperature can speed up the aging process – and so can light. Find a cool, dark place to store your candles between seasons. Store your candles at room temperature. And whenever possible, try to light candles within 12 to 16 months of purchasing them.