4 Ways You're Burning Candles All Wrong
There's nothing quite as enchanting as the flickering glow of a candle, casting its gentle light and filling the air with soothing scents. Candles have captivated the human senses for centuries, adding warmth, ambiance, and a touch of magic to our homes. Whether you light them to create a cozy atmosphere, set the mood for relaxation, or simply enjoy their aesthetic appeal, candles hold the power to transform any space.
However, despite their simplicity, there are a surprising number of ways to mishandle our beloved candles. From small mistakes like burning candles incorrectly to major issues like neglecting essential safety precautions, many people accidentally diminish their beauty, longevity, and even compromise their performance. But don’t worry! We’re here to shed light on four common candle-burning mistakes and teach you how to burn a candle properly.
1. Leaving Your Candle Burning Unattended
What you're doing wrong:
First of all, never leave a candle burning unattended! But just because you’re home all day doesn’t mean you should be burning candles from morning till night. If you burn your candle for more than 4 hours at a time, carbon will collect on the wick, and your wick will begin to "mushroom." This can cause the wick to become unstable, the flame to get too large, your candle to smoke, and soot to be released into the air and around your candle container.
Solution:
Don't burn for more than 4 hours at a time (or unattended)!
2. Burning Your Candle for Too Little Time
What you're doing wrong:
If you leave a candle burning for too little time, especially the first time, you will get that annoying candle tunneling effect when you have accumulated this leftover wax on the sides of the container (read: you end up wasting your candle).
Solution:
Particularly for their first burn, candles are supposed to burn for at least one hour per inch of container diameter. So, if you bought a new candle that is 3 inches in diameter, you should burn your candle for at least 3 hours (though not more than 4 at a time). Wax has a memory, so you want to burn your candle so the melted wax spreads all the way out to the edge of your container. That way, when you burn your candle the next time, it will remember to melt all the way out to the sides.
3. Neglecting to Trim Your Wicks
What you're doing wrong:
Do your candles have a big black ring around the sides of the candles, and do they smoke when you light them? If this is the case, you probably have been lighting your candles for way too long and not trimming the wick. What happens when you light a candle for too long is you've let your wick "mushroom" or develop carbon buildup. This is the result of the candle consuming more wax than it can burn. Lighting a "mushroom" can cause a longer wick to crackle and pop and release soot into the air and onto your candle container. Always remember to trim wicks, it keeps you (and your home) safe!
Solution:
Lighting a candle correctly should always include taking a moment to trim your wicks to 1/4 inch. And remember, never burn for more than 4 hours. Otherwise, carbon will start to accumulate again. Try buying a wick trimmer to do the job right!
4. Blowing Your Candles Out to Extinguish Them
What you're doing wrong:
This one seems a little crazy, huh? How else are you supposed to extinguish a flame? Here's the thing—blowing out candles can cause wax to spray onto your face and smoke to fill the room, which can be harmful to your health. Not to mention, doing so can also bury the wick in the wax making it hard for you to light your candle the next time.
Solution:
Use the tip of a screwdriver to dip the wick in the wax to extinguish. Then use it to straighten the wick out for the next burn. Or use a snuffer.
By implementing these essential candle burning tips, you can elevate your candlelit experiences, take better care of your health, and extend the lifespan of your favorite candles. However, it’s important to always buy high-quality candles for the best experience.
Want more tips? Check out our super quick guide to candle safety!
Written by Mahlon Gatneau and Shannon Ryan