You may be thinking, ummmm I already know how to burn a candle. It’s called lighting it?
But if that’s what you’re thinking you would be sadly mistaken, my friend.
This is not the kind of sh*t they’re going to tell you at Bath & Body Works {although, no shade. One of my fav Fall candles is from there}.
But if you’re buying a bougie candle {Side note- did you know Bougie means wax candle in French? Here I’m using it as-in…slightly pretentious} the truth lies inside.
I owe my candle knowledge to the fact that I’m a freaking nerd who loves reading directions. I’m not necessarily a huge rule-follower but I like to know the rules before I break them, you know? #knowledgeispower
Anyway, I first discovered the laws of candle burning in the pamphlet of one of my Diptyque candles and have noticed a similar note in every bougie candle I’ve bought since.
If you’re spending serious coin on candles, you want to make them last as long as possible, right?
These are the must-know tips to maximize your candle burning experience and longevity.
Candle Burning Tips
+ The First Burn is the Most Important – The first time you burn your candle burn it at least 2 hours or until the ENTIRE candle surface becomes liquid. Candles have a “burn memory” and if you don’t let the entire surface become liquid it will burn unevenly. Even though the first burn is the most important, try to let the entire top become liquid each time.
+ Don’t Burn Too Long – Don’t burn your candle for more than 3 hours at a time for the first third of the candle or 1 to 2 hours during the remaining two thirds.
+ Trim Your Wick – MUST HAVE candle item: a wick trimmer . Every. Single. Time. You light your candle you MUST trim your wick to 1/8 – 1/4 inch. This stops the candle from burning too quickly and keeps the candle from sending up black smoke or getting smoke smudges on your candle glass. If you light your candle and it’s smoking, snuff it out right away, trim and re-light.
+ Don’t Blow out your Candles – If you blow it out you can disrupt the wax and will likely put some ash flecks from your wick into the wax which is bad for the candle, plus you get black smoke which is gonna be a no from me, dawg. Use a candle snuffer, cloche or candle lid.
+ Movement Matters – Don’t move a lit candle or place a candle near a draft. This will ruin your even wax layer and cause the candle to burn more quickly.
+ To Burn or not to Burn – Don’t burn your candle all the way down, it’s a safety hazard. Stop with about a 1/4″ of wax left in the bottom. I then put the candle in the freezer, pop out the wax and use that wax in a wax warmer so you’re not wasting the last 1/4″. Also, never burn your candle directly on glass/tile/marble because a hot candle may crack those.
Xx,
