At first glance, candles might not seem so complicated. You just light up the wick, let it burn for a while, and then blow out the flame. Yet too many people are burning their candles in ways that reduce the effects of their purchase, thus limiting their burn time and fragrance potential!

Below are 4 ways to properly burn a candle to maximize the duration and scent throw: 

1.Candle Sizes Matter!

Candle sizes matter! People often think that a candle is just a candle. I mean, bigger means it’ll last longer right? Although that may be true, there’s more truth than what meets the eye. The size of the candle should mimic the size of the room. Large candles (11oz. and higher) with two or three wicks produce larger wax pools, which create the scent throw. Those types of candles perform well in large open spaces like in living rooms. Medium candles (7-10 oz.) with one wick are appropriate for a medium-sized room, such as a bedroom. Small candles (2-6 oz.) are only capable of scenting a small room, such as a bathroom or entryway. 

2. Trim the Wick!

Trim the wick! Before you light up the wick, trim it to ¼”. This simple step, though a common nuisance, helps the candle to burn much cleaner with less soot. It prevents wick crumbling and mushroom tops. (Mushroom topped wicks produce larger flames and much more soot which can lead to unwanted accidents. Mushroom topped wicks are fire hazards!)

 

3. Burn the Candle Longer!

Burn the candle longer for better heat throws. Let the candle burn at least until the wax pool reaches the edge of the container (or about 1–2 hours for small candles, 4- 5 hours for medium sized candles, and about 6 hours for extremely large, three-wicked candles after lightning.)

This is a very important step when it comes to burning a new candle. Candles have memory. However you let them burn during their "first burn" will train it to burn that same way in the future. Blowing out the candle before the wax pool reaches the edges will cause"tunneling," that pesky issue that causes the wax to create a tunnel inside the jar. The tunnel is essentially wasting the wax that remains on the sides of the container. By letting the candle burn along the edges, you'll be able to get the most out of your purchase.

If the candle's wax pool isn't quite reaching the edge of the container after an hour or two (for a medium-sized candle), carefully swirl the candle container gently to encourage the wax pool's reach. 

 

4. But Don’t Burn it Too Long!

Burning candles over the recommended time is a common mistake that many people make. If you burn  the candle for longer, the heat will evaporate the fragrance too quickly and weaken the scent throw over time. To avoid weakening your hot throws, simply blow out the candle flame when the burn pool is less than 1” deep in the container.

 

5. More Trouble-Shooting Tips!

Look for candles that have paper or cotton wicks. Wicks that contain a metal filament often contain lead which is a hazard to your health and to the environment!

Look for thick, centered wicks. If your candle does not create a wax pool that reaches the edge of the container, the wick might be off-centered or too thin for the wax and fragrance.   

Invest in high-quality or hand-made candles. Factory-made candles are usually produced with two pours of wax to even out the tops. In this process, stronger-scented wax is often used for the top pour, which produces a stronger scent throw, but only at first. As you burn those candles, you'll notice the scent throw is really weak. Additionally, factory-made candles aren't stirred consistently prior to the pouring process, which can cause an inconsistent scent throw. 

Choose soy wax or coconut wax candles. Candles that are not labeled as soy candles or coconut candles are usually made with paraffin wax, which is made from petroleum byproducts. If you inhale paraffin candle fumes, you may experience nausea, vomiting, headaches, or even benzene pollution that can lead to lung cancer or much worse!

A Good Clean Burn

At Candle Bake Shop, we strive to create the perfect candles that are safe both to our customers and to our environment. We pride ourselves in taking care of our planet through the use of eco-friendly materials. With each one of our hand-poured candles, you can rest assured that you’re burning a high-quality product while maintaining our beautiful world. Our candles are made with:

• 100% all-natural soy wax 
• Fragrances that are phthalate-free with low vanillin levels to none
• And wicks made from paper and cotton.