The Art of Candle Care: Tips to Make Your Candles Last Longer

Candles are the perfect way to create ambience, set the mood, and fill your home with inviting scents. Whether you're enjoying a relaxing evening or adding a touch of luxury to your decor, taking proper care of your candles can help extend your life and enhance the fragrance experience. Here are some expert tips on how to make your candles last longer and burn more efficiently:

1. Trim the Wick Before Each Burn

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to prolong the life of your candle is by trimming the wick. Before lighting your candle, always trim the wick to about ¼ inch. This helps prevent the wick from burning too hot, reducing soot buildup, and ensures an even burn. It also prevents excessive flickering, making the candle burn more efficiently.

2. Allow the Wax to Melt Completely

When you light a candle, let the wax pool melt at the edge of the container. This may take a few hours, but it prevents tunnelling, which occurs when only the centre of the wax melts and leaves a ring of unused wax along the edges. Tunnelling reduces the candle's overall burn time and can affect the fragrance throw. To avoid this, always let the wax fully melt on the first burn.

3. Keep Your Candle Away from Drafts

Candles can be easily affected by air currents, which can cause them to burn unevenly, flicker, or even extinguish prematurely. To get the most out of your candle, place it in a draft-free area away from vents, fans, or windows. A calm environment will allow your candle to burn consistently, resulting in a longer-lasting experience.

4. Store Candles Properly

When your candles are not in use, store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Sunlight and heat can cause the wax to melt unevenly or discolour, while exposure to air can cause the scent to fade. Keep the lid on your candles (if applicable) to protect them from dust and preserve their fragrance.

5. Avoid Burning for Long Periods

Although it’s tempting to keep a candle burning for hours on end, prolonged burning can lead to excessive wax pooling, blackened wicks, and reduced fragrance throw. To get the most from your candle, avoid burning it for more than 3-4 hours at a time. If you need more ambience, light a second candle or take a break before lighting it again.

6. Keep the Wax Clean

Over time, dust, soot, and debris can accumulate on the surface of the wax. To keep your candle clean and burn evenly, wipe the top of the wax gently with a soft cloth before lighting it. You can also remove any old wick trimmings or soot from the wax with a cotton swab.

7. Choose the Right Size Candle for Your Space

Sometimes, the best way to extend the life of a candle is by choosing the right size for your room. Large candles are great for spacious areas, while smaller candles work better for more intimate settings. If you use the appropriate-sized candle for the space, it will burn more efficiently and provide the right amount of fragrance without wasting wax.

Final Thoughts

By following these simple tips, you can make your candles last longer and enjoy them to the fullest. Whether you’re lighting a calming Lavender candle or a warm Cinnamon Spice, proper care ensures that each candle burns cleanly, evenly, and with a beautiful fragrance that fills your space. Treat your candles with love, and they’ll return the favour by lasting longer and enhancing your home with every flicker.

Ready to extend the life of your favourite Aroma Bloom candles? Check out our collection and start enjoying the art of candle care today!