How to Make Your Scented Candles Last Longer and Burn Brighter
Candles are more than just a source of light—they create atmosphere, add a touch of luxury to your home, and can even evoke cherished memories with their scents. Whether you’re lighting a cozy scented candle or showcasing a beautifully crafted candle holder, the right care can significantly enhance the lifespan and performance of your candles. In this candle care guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to keep your candles burning beautifully.
1. Trim the Wick for a Cleaner Burn
One of the most important steps in candle care is ensuring your wick is always trimmed to about 1/4 inch before lighting it. This small act serves several purposes:
- Prevents Soot: A wick that’s too long can lead to a sooty flame, which can stain the candle container and your walls.
- Ensures a Steady Flame: A properly trimmed wick ensures a controlled and steady flame, preventing uneven burning.
- Maximizes Burn Time: Keeping the wick at the right length allows the candle to burn evenly, so you get the most out of your candle.
If you’re using candles in gorgeous candle holders like those from Anthropologie candles, trimming the wick ensures that your candleholder doesn’t get sooty and stays looking pristine.
2. Allow Your Candle to Melt Across the Entire Surface
When lighting a new candle, especially larger ones, make sure to let it burn long enough for the wax to melt across the entire surface. This ensures an even burn and prevents tunneling, where the wick burns down the center but leaves a thick layer of un-melted wax around the edges.
- Why It Matters: If you don’t allow the candle to fully melt on the first burn, you risk wasting wax on subsequent burns and may find yourself with a stubborn tunnel of wax that’s hard to melt.
- Pro Tip: A good rule of thumb is to let your candle burn for one hour for every inch in diameter. For example, if you have a candle that’s 3 inches wide, you should let it burn for about 3 hours on the first go.
3. Store Your Candles Properly
Candles are sensitive to temperature and light, which can cause them to fade, discolor, or even melt improperly. To keep your scented candles in the best condition:
- Keep them in a cool, dry place: Extreme heat can cause the wax to soften, and sunlight can cause the fragrance to deteriorate.
- Avoid storing them in bathrooms: The high humidity in bathrooms can affect the wax and wick.
- Consider storage solutions: If you’re using premium candles, like those from Anthropologie candles, make sure to store them in their original packaging or a protective case to prevent dust and dirt buildup.
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4. Use the Right Candle Holder
A candle holder serves more than just a decorative purpose; it plays an important role in how the candle burns. Here’s why choosing the right candle holders matters:
- Even Heat Distribution: The right holder helps the candle burn evenly, preventing pooling of wax on one side.
- Safety: A sturdy, heat-resistant candle holder prevents the risk of fire, especially when candles are burning for extended periods.
- Enhances the Aesthetic: High-quality candle holders, such as those from Anthropologie, can turn your candles into works of art that complement your home décor.
Choose holders that are made of heat-resistant materials, like glass, ceramic, or metal, and ensure they fit your candle’s size and shape to avoid accidental spills.
5. Burn Scented Candles in a Well-Ventilated Area
Scented candles fill your space with delightful aromas, but burning them in a well-ventilated area is crucial for safety and efficiency. Here’s why:
- Prevents Soot Buildup: Adequate airflow helps the candle burn cleanly and reduces the chances of soot accumulating on your walls, furniture, or candle holders.
- Enhances Fragrance: A well-ventilated space allows the scent to travel more freely and ensures you’re getting the most out of your candle’s fragrance oils.
6. Put Out Your Candle Safely
When it’s time to extinguish your candle, avoid blowing it out as this can cause wax to splatter and wick debris to scatter. Instead, use a candle snuffer or gently dip the wick into the melted wax with a wick dipper. This prevents the wick from smoking and ensures a cleaner, safer extinguishing process.
- Avoiding wick trimmings: If you blow out the candle, you may end up with small bits of wick or soot floating around the candle, which can lead to messy burns next time.
- Let it cool: Allow the candle to cool completely before relighting it or handling it to avoid burns or accidental spills.
7. Know When to Dispose of Your Candle
Candle life isn’t infinite, and knowing when it’s time to retire your candle is just as important as knowing how to care for it. Here’s when to toss a candle:
- When there’s 1/2 inch of wax left: This is generally when the wick will no longer burn effectively.
- If the wick is crooked or buried in wax: A crooked wick can’t burn evenly, and wax buildup around the wick can make it hard to relight.
If you’ve been using candles in beautiful candle holders from brands like Anthropologie, consider reusing the holders for another candle or creative purpose, such as storing pens, plants, or other small items.
8. Extend the Life of Your Scented Candles
If you want to get the most out of your scented candles, there are a few tricks to try:
- Rotate the candles: Don’t always burn the same candle. Alternating between several scented candles helps to prolong their life.
- Burn in smaller intervals: Instead of letting a candle burn for hours at a time, try burning it for 1-2 hour intervals. This helps prevent overheating and extends the overall burn time.
Conclusion
Caring for your candles is an easy and effective way to ensure you get the most enjoyment out of them. Whether you’re indulging in the luxurious scents of Anthropologie candles or simply lighting a favorite candle holder to add a cozy vibe to your space, following these simple tips will keep your candles burning bright for longer.
By taking care of your candles, trimming your wicks, and storing them properly, you’ll preserve their beauty and fragrance—so you can continue to create a warm and inviting atmosphere in your home.
Happy candle burning!
