First Burn Matters
The first time you light your candle, let it burn until the entire top layer of wax has melted edge to edge. This is called the melt pool, and it prevents tunnelling — where wax builds up around the wick and wastes product. Depending on the size of your candle, this can take 2–4 hours, so set aside some time for that first session.
Trim Your Wick Before Every Burn
Before lighting your candle, always trim the wick to about 5 mm (¼ inch). A shorter wick means a cleaner, slower burn, less soot, and a more even flame. Long wicks can cause mushrooming, flickering, or black smoke. Use a wick trimmer or small scissors for best results.
Burn Time Limits
Never burn a candle for more than 4 hours at a time. Extended burns overheat the vessel and can affect both scent throw and the integrity of the wax. After 4 hours, extinguish the flame, let the wax cool and re-solidify, then trim the wick before relighting.
Keep It Away from Drafts
Place your candle on a flat, heat-resistant surface away from open windows, fans, and air vents. Drafts cause uneven burning, excessive flickering, and can shorten the life of your candle significantly.
Know When to Stop
Stop burning your candle when there is about 1 cm (½ inch) of wax remaining at the bottom. Burning below this point can overheat the vessel and, in some cases, cause cracking or damage to the surface beneath it.
Store Your Candles Properly
Keep unused candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. UV light can fade the colour of the wax and diminish the fragrance over time. If your candle comes with a lid, use it — it keeps dust off the wax and helps preserve the scent.
Caring for Your Vessel
Once your candle has burned down, you can repurpose the vessel. Remove any remaining wax by placing the container in the freezer for an hour — the wax will shrink and pop out cleanly. Wash the jar with warm soapy water and it's ready to use as a planter, storage jar, or decorative piece.