Candle Care 101: How to Get the Most Out of Your Soy Candle
A few consistent habits can significantly improve how your candle burns and how long it lasts. Here's what we recommend.
The First Burn Sets the Pattern
Soy wax has a memory. The first time you light your candle, allow it to burn long enough for the melt pool to reach the edge of the glass before extinguishing it. If you blow it out too early, the wax will only melt in the center going forward — a phenomenon called tunneling. Once tunneling begins, it is difficult to reverse. A complete first melt pool, even if it takes a couple of hours depending on the size of your candle, sets it up for an even, consistent burn every time after that.
Trim Your Wick Before Every Burn
Before you light your candle — every single time — trim the wick. A clean wick produces a controlled flame and minimal soot on the glass. An untrimmed wick mushrooms at the tip, draws too much fuel, and produces a larger, flickering flame that can blacken the jar and shorten the candle's life. You can use a wick trimmer, nail clippers, or simply pinch off the dried tip with your fingers before lighting. Aim for roughly 1/4 inch.
Keep Burns to a Reasonable Duration
Do not burn a candle all day or leave it burning in a room unattended for hours on end. Extended burns cause the wick to drift and destabilize, the wax pool to become too deep, and the glass container to get very hot. Burn your candle in sittings of a few hours at a time, then allow it to cool and fully solidify before relighting. Always follow the guidance on your candle's warning label for maximum recommended burn time.
What's Normal for Soy Candles
If you are new to soy wax candles, a couple of things may look unusual at first — both are completely normal. Frosting is a white crystalline coating that can appear on the surface or sides of the wax. It is a natural characteristic of pure soy wax and does not affect the fragrance or the burn quality. Wet spots are small areas where the wax appears to have slightly separated from the inside of the glass. This is caused by temperature changes during shipping or storage and has no impact on how the candle performs.
Safety
Never leave a burning candle in an unattended room. Keep candles out of reach of children and pets. Always place your candle on a stable, flat, heat-resistant surface. Keep candles away from curtains, paper, books, and anything else that can catch fire. Keep them clear of drafts and air vents, which can cause uneven burning or tipping. Discontinue use when only a small amount of wax remains at the bottom of the jar — refer to the warning label on your specific candle for guidance. Never attempt to move a candle with liquid wax; the glass retains heat and the wax can slosh.
Follow Your Candle's Label
The warning label on every CandleTree candle is there for good reason. It covers the instructions specific to that candle. Read it before the first burn and keep it in mind every time you light it.