Candles are simple to use, but a handful of small habits separate a candle that burns evenly for its full life from one that tunnels, smokes, or gets thrown away half-used. None of these steps take more than a minute.
Always trim the wick to about a quarter of an inch before lighting. A wick that is too long causes a larger flame, more soot, and uneven melting. On the very first burn, let the candle burn long enough for the entire top layer of wax to melt to the edges of the container. This usually takes one to two hours depending on the size of the candle, and it prevents tunneling for the rest of the candle's life.
Keep candles away from drafts, open windows, and anything flammable such as curtains or paper. Never leave a burning candle unattended, and keep it out of reach of children and pets. Burn sessions of three to four hours are generally ideal; burning for much longer than that can cause the container to overheat.
Extinguish the candle once about half an inch of wax remains at the base of the container. Continuing to burn a candle down to the very bottom can cause the container to crack or the flame to burn too close to the base.
Store candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, which can cause discoloration and fading of fragrance. Once a candle is finished, many jars and containers can be cleaned out and reused for storage or as small planters.
Good candle care is mostly about patience during that first burn and consistency after that. A few extra minutes of attention early on means a cleaner burn, a stronger scent, and a candle that lasts as long as it is supposed to.
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