Jessie Taylor
Candles add a warm glow and a pleasant fragrance to your space. If you want to extend the life of your candles, there are several easy ways to do so. Firstly, it is important to keep the wick trimmed to about a quarter of an inch. This will prevent the flame from becoming too large and burning through the wax too quickly. You should also avoid placing candles in drafty areas, as this can cause uneven burning and reduce the candle's lifespan. Allowing the candle to reach a full melt pool during every burn is another way to make it last longer. Additionally, you can put your candle in the freezer for a few hours before burning it, as this will make the wax harder and slower to burn.
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What You'll Learn
Keep wicks trimmed to 1/4-1/8 inches
Trimming your candle wick to 1/4-1/8 inches is one of the most important things you can do to extend the life of your candle. A longer wick will produce a larger flame, which will burn through wax faster. By keeping the wick short, you can keep the flame small and slow down the rate at which the wax burns. This will also help to prevent the candle from "mushrooming", which is when an excess amount of soot and carbon builds up on the wick, creating a fire hazard.
You should trim the wick before lighting the candle, and also after blowing it out to prepare it for future use. It is much safer to trim the wick when the wax pool has hardened, so it is recommended to let the candle completely cool before lighting it again. This will take around two hours for a candle in a container.
To trim the wick before lighting, simply use a candle wick trimmer tool to cut it down to the correct length. If you don't have a wick trimmer, you can use a tissue to remove the charred part of the wick, as recommended by Slatkin. Wait for the candle to cool completely, then turn it upside down and wipe away the charred part with a tissue.
If you are trimming the wick after use, extinguish the flame and let the candle come to room temperature. Then, use a wick trimmer or tissue to cut the wick down to the correct length.
In addition to keeping the wick trimmed, it is important to keep candles away from drafts, vents, fans, and open windows. Currents of air can cause candles to burn unevenly, produce excessive smoke, and leave messy black stains on containers.
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Avoid drafts
Drafts are a candle's worst enemy. To extend the life of your candle, it is important to avoid drafts and keep it away from sources of air currents, such as ceiling fans, vents, air conditioners, and open windows. These sources can cause the flame to move and flicker, leading to uneven burning and black soot around the jar. The flame should be virtually motionless and still.
If you notice your candle flickering or the flame moving, it is a sign that there is a draft in the room. To avoid drafts altogether, you can test your windows for any air leaks. This can be done by holding a lit candle near the window seams and observing the flame for any movement. If the flame remains straight, the window is well-sealed. However, if the flame bends or curves, there is likely a draft coming through.
In addition to testing for drafts, you can take proactive measures to seal your windows. Aging windows tend to deteriorate and develop leaks, but even newer windows can have drafts. Common causes of drafts include old or insufficient caulk, ill-fitting or poorly installed windows, cracks in the frame or glass, and damage or gaps around the edge of the windowpane. By addressing these issues, you can effectively reduce drafts and prolong the life of your candles.
By being mindful of drafts and taking steps to minimize their impact, you can ensure that your candles burn evenly and safely, maximizing their lifespan and reducing the risk of accidental fires.
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Freeze candles before burning
Freezing candles before burning is a well-known hack to extend the life of your candles. It is a simple and cost-effective method that can help you get the most out of your favourite candles.
The science behind this hack is that freezing makes the wax harder, which in turn makes it burn slower. This means that your candle will last longer, and you won't have to keep replacing it. The longer burn time also means that the scent of your candle will linger for longer.
To try this hack, simply place your candle in the freezer for a few hours before you plan to burn it. The amount of time needed in the freezer can vary, but generally, it should be somewhere between two and eight hours. If you are using a larger candle, it may need to be in the freezer for a longer period. It is best to plan ahead and put your candle in the freezer the morning or evening before you want to light it.
There are some things to keep in mind when using this method. Firstly, do not leave your candle in the freezer for too long, as this could cause it to crack, split, or lose its scent. Secondly, once you remove the candle from the freezer, make sure it has reached room temperature before lighting it. This will ensure an even burn and prevent any safety hazards.
In addition to freezing, there are other ways to extend the life of your candles. These include keeping the wick trimmed, avoiding drafts, and allowing the candle to reach a full melt pool during the first burn. By combining these techniques with freezing, you can further increase the burn time and enjoy your candles for longer.
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Straighten wicks before lighting
Straightening candle wicks before lighting them is a simple but important step in extending the life of your candles. Wicks tend to bend over as they burn, so it's good practice to straighten them before each use.
A crooked wick can result in uneven burning, which can lead to bursts of high flames or smoking. This can cause the candle to burn down faster, shortening its life. Straightening the wick helps to ensure even burning and avoids the "uneven burn" issue, which leaves part of the candle wasted.
To straighten a wick, simply use your fingers or a tool to adjust it so that it stands upright and straight before lighting. It is recommended to keep wicks trimmed to about one-fourth of an inch for optimal burning. Trimming the wick can be done after the candle has cooled down, and it is safe to do so when the wax pool has hardened.
Additionally, it is important to keep candles away from drafts, fans, open windows, or vents, as currents of air can cause uneven burning and excessive smoke or soot, affecting the candle's performance and lifespan.
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Limit burn time
Limiting the burn time of your candle is an important way to extend its life. While you may want to enjoy your candle for as long as possible, it is recommended that you limit the burn time to three to four hours at a time. This allows the candle to burn properly and helps to avoid tunnelling, which refers to the uneven melting of the wax. Not only does tunnelling make your candle look less appealing, but it also wastes wax and can reduce the candle's ability to light.
The ideal burn time for a candle also depends on the type of candle. Candles with a single wick tend to have longer burn times than those with multiple wicks. Candles made with harder wax, such as paraffin wax, also tend to have longer burn times than those made with softer wax, such as soy or beeswax. Scented candles, which contain added fragrance oils, may also burn faster than unscented candles due to the lower melting point of the wax. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of the type of candle you are burning and to adjust the burn time accordingly.
In addition to limiting the burn time, it is also important to ensure that your candle is burning properly. This includes keeping the wick trimmed to 1/4 inch and avoiding placing the candle in a drafty area, as this can cause the candle to burn unevenly and waste wax. It is also recommended to let the candle completely cool before lighting it again, as this is safer and helps to prevent uneven burning.
By limiting the burn time and following proper candle care techniques, you can help extend the life of your candle and enjoy it for longer.
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Frequently asked questions
To prevent your candle from burning unevenly, keep it away from drafts caused by open windows, fans, vents, or ACs. You should also ensure that the candle is placed on a flat surface.
For optimal burning, the wick should be trimmed to a height of about 1/4 inch. You should trim the wick before and after each lighting.
It is recommended that you burn your candle for no longer than three to four hours at a time. This will help the candle burn properly and avoid tunnelling, which can reduce the candle's ability to light.
Candles should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from heat sources such as kitchen stoves, fireplaces, or attics. They should also be kept away from direct sunlight.
