There's nothing quite like lighting a beautiful candle and letting the scent fill your space. But are you getting the most out of every burn? With just a few simple habits, you can extend the life of your candle, get a cleaner burn, and enjoy every last drop of fragrance. Here's everything you need to know.
1. The First Burn Is Everything
The very first time you light your candle is the most important burn of its life. Candles have what's called a "burn memory" — meaning the wax will only melt as far as it did on the first burn, every time after that. To avoid tunneling (when the candle burns straight down the middle leaving wax on the sides), let your candle burn long enough for the entire top layer of wax to melt edge to edge. For most of our candles, that's about 2–3 hours.
2. Trim Your Wick Every Time
Before every burn, trim your wick to about ¼ inch. A long wick causes a larger, flickering flame that burns through your wax too quickly, produces more soot, and can even cause the jar to overheat. A simple wick trimmer (or even nail clippers!) does the trick perfectly. You'll notice a cleaner, steadier flame and a longer-lasting candle.
3. Don't Burn for Too Long
As much as we love a long candle session, we recommend burning your candle for no more than 4 hours at a time. Burning longer than that can cause the wick to "mushroom" at the tip, the wax to overheat, and the fragrance to dissipate faster. Give your candle a rest, let it cool completely, then trim the wick before relighting.
4. Keep It Away from Drafts
Drafts from fans, open windows, or air vents cause uneven burning and excessive flickering. Place your candle on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from drafts to ensure an even, clean burn every time.
5. Know When to Say Goodbye
When your candle has about ½ inch of wax remaining, it's time to retire it. Burning below that level can cause the jar to overheat and crack. But don't throw it away just yet — you can repurpose the jar as a cute storage container, a succulent planter, or a makeup brush holder!
Store Your Candles Properly
Keep your candles away from direct sunlight and heat, which can cause the wax to soften and the fragrance to fade. Store them with their lids on to keep dust out and preserve the scent between burns.
Follow these simple tips and your Made For ME candles will reward you with hours of beautiful fragrance and a clean, even burn from the first light to the last. Happy burning! 🕯️