Basic Candle Care: Burning, Wick Trimming & More

Candle scents from Yankee Candle® offer hours of burn time and can bring you on a fragrance journey from room to room. Caring for your candles is equally as important as the ambiance they create. Whether you're a candle connoisseur or just beginning to curate your collection, understanding proper candle care is essential to maximize your candles' fragrance, longevity, and overall candle-burning experience.

We’ll guide you through candle care essentials from how to get a candle to burn evenly to what to do with leftover candle wax and how to ensure an even candle burn after each lighting.

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The Basics of Candle Burning: Candle Care Essentials

Here’s how to get the most out of your candle collection with proper maintenance:

If you’re wondering how to make your candle last longer or are curious about how to fix candle tunneling issues, here are a few essential tips for an enhanced candle burning experience:

• Uncover How to Light a Candle Correctly: Candle burning starts with lighting the wick. We'll show you how to light a candle to get the best burn possible with our helpful techniques.
• Harness How to Get a Candle to Burn Evenly: Discover how to get your candle to burn with an even glow by pooling wax to avoid candle tunneling and wasting wax.
• Take Care of Trimming Your Wicks: Do you know how to trim candle wicks properly before the first burn? Uncover how to cut the candle wick, at first light and after, to prevent excessive smoking and black soot buildup.
• Discover What to Do with Leftover Candle Wax: Don't let the last bit of wax go to waste. We'll share some creative and practical tips for repurposing leftover candle wax—and what to do with your leftover candle jar, like upcycling!

How to Light a Candle

When you light your favorite candle, you do more than just ignite a wick; you inspire a mood for the room and for your day. Be sure to use these techniques for how to light a candle correctly to get the most out of your candle:

• Use Long Matches or a Candle Lighter: Use long matches or a candle lighter to take precautions when lighting a candle. Longer matches and candle lighters help keep soot from forming on the glass.
• Hold the Candle at an Angle: When you light the wick, hold your candle at a slight angle to ensure a steady flame.

These techniques can help enhance your candle experience.

How to Get a Candle to Burn Evenly

An even burn is crucial for maximizing the life of your candle. Here are some tips on how to get a candle to burn evenly to avoid common issues like tunneling and uneven wax. Follow these tips to achieve a balanced glow that dances elegantly across your space:

1. Let the Wax Pool: When you light a candle for the first time, allow it to burn until the wax pool reaches the edge of the container. This is how to fix candle tunneling while promoting an even burn.
2. Trim the Wick: Before each burn, trimming the wick helps prevent soot buildup and helps the candle burn evenly. Read on for a step-by-step process on how to trim candle wicks.
3. Keep Away from Drafts: If you want to reduce flickering and smoke, keep your candle away from drafts or use an Illuma-Lid® Jar Candle Topper or Jar Candle Shade. These are great accessories to use with our Original Large Jar Candles.

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With these simple tips, you’re candle will be in the best shape and burn for creating the perfect ambiance for in any room.

How to Trim Candle Wicks

Learning how to trim candle wicks is vital for a radiant flame. This simple, yet crucial, step can prolong your candle's life and give your candle a fresh start before each burn, ensuring optimal performance. With your Yankee Candle wick trimmer, follow these steps on how to trim candle wicks to make the most of every flame:

1. Wait for the Wax to Cool: Ensure the candle is completely cool before trimming the wick.
2. Use a Wick Trimmer: Cut the wick to the length stated on the candle’s bottom label. You can also use sharp scissors for this step.
3. Remove Debris: Clear trimmings or soot to keep the wax clean and ready for the next burn.

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Regular wick trimming is an important step of candle care, helping to maintain a steady flame and prevent excessive soot and smoke.

What to Do with Leftover Candle Wax

Did you know you do not have to throw out your candle vessels? By repurposing your leftover candle wax and jars, you can find simple and creative ways to extend the life of your candles beyond their initial use. Here are a few common ideas for what to do with leftover candle wax to get you started:

1. New Candles: If you can reimagine the remnants of your old candle wax and repurpose them, use a new wick, a candle mold, and your old candle jar to create new candles.
2. Tealights: For smaller portions of wax, transform leftovers into charming tealights. Add your wax and a fresh wick to small tealight molds, before transporting them into tealight containers.
3. Scented Sachets: Hold onto your favorite candle scents and create scented sachets. With your leftover wax, essential oils, small candle molds, and small sachets or pouches, you can make scented sachets that add a pleasant aroma to your drawers and closets.

Let your creativity shine by transforming your old candle jars into fun and functional items to upcycle! Repurpose your candle jars with these creative DIY upcycling ideas:

1. Create a Propagation Wall: Transform empty candle jars into stylish and functional plant propagation stations. This is a beautiful way to give your candle jars a new life while adding a touch of greenery to your space.

   Learn how to make your own Propagation Wall.

2. Upcycle a Fall Adventure Jar: Embrace the essence of autumn by crafting a Fall Adventure Jar using your leftover candle jars. This DIY project is perfect for making memories solo or with the ones you love this fall.

   Welcome Autumn with your own Fall Adventure Jar.

3. Halloween Character Jars: Get into the spooky spirit by turning your used candle jars into charming Halloween character decorations. This fun and festive idea is great for adding a personalized touch to your Halloween decor.

   Add a touch of fright with your own Halloween Character Jars.

4. Twinkling Lights Upcycled Votive Holder: Add a warm, twinkling glow to your home with upcycled votive holders made from your old candle jars. This DIY project gives your space a cozy ambiance while beautifully reusing your candle jars.

   Light up the room with your own Twinkling Lights Upcycled Votive Holder.

At Yankee Candle®, we’ve partnered with TerraCycle® to recycle candle jars via mail. Once enrolled in the program, you can easily recycle glass candle jars and some additional home fragrance products.

To be certain about your recycled candle, it's always recommended to check your local recycling programs for specifics.

How to Enjoy your Candle Fragrance to Its Fullest

Finding your favorite fragrance for the home means you can enjoy inviting ambiance in any room. Here are some tips to ensure your candle burns consistently:

• Let the Wax Pool Fully: Allow the candle to create a complete melt pool from edge to edge during each burn. Pooling the wax not only means an even burn but helps ensure sufficient fragrance release.
• Choose High-Quality Candles: Look for candles with high-quality components like essential oils and premium wax blends which help result in stronger, longer-lasting scents.
• Use Wax Warmers: For a new and consistent fragrance experience that is true-to-life without the flame.
• Place in Optimal Locations: Place your candle in areas with good air circulation but away from direct drafts. Proper placement helps in the even distribution of fragrance.
• Store Candles Properly: Keep your candles covered and in a cool, dark place. This helps preserve the integrity of the fragrance oil distribution throughout the wax and ensures a consistent scent experience.

These techniques for how to enjoy your candle to its fullest will help you enjoy fragrance from your candles. Proper candle burning means you get the best out of your candle.

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How to Store Candles

If you’re a candle enthusiast or candle collector, understanding the best practices for candle storage can make all the difference in candle care. By storing candles correctly, you’ll ensure they maintain their fragrance, functionality, burn quality, and overall appearance. Here are some essential tips on how to store candles and keep them in prime condition:

1. Store Candles in a Cool, Dark Place: Keep candles in a cool, dark location away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Excessive heat can cause the wax to soften or melt, while sunlight can fade the color.
2. Use Candle Covers or Lids: Protect your candles from dust, dirt, and other debris by covering them with lids or using protective coverings.
3. Avoid Temperature Fluctuations: Ensure that candles are stored in areas where the temperature remains consistent. Exposure to sudden temperature changes can cause the wax to crack or melt in certain areas.

Understanding how to store candles properly helps ensure they remain in the best condition until you're ready to light them and illuminate your space.

Best Practices for Extinguishing Candles

Caring for your candles is important from the first lighting. Before you snuff out the flame, it's essential to understand how to extinguish candles properly to ensure both safety and optimal candle burning. Here's how:

• Use a Candle Snuffer: A candle snuffer helps extinguish the flame cleanly without causing smoke.
• Avoid Blowing: Blowing out a candle can cause splattering and soot. Use a candle snuffer to extinguish your candle.
• Keep it clean: Keep your candles free from dust and debris by wiping them down regularly.

Following these tips will help maintain the quality of your candle's wax and wick. Proper candle care can enhance your candle experience. Enjoy the ambiance and warmth that a well-maintained candle brings to your home.

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Tips for How to Make Candles Last Longer

Enjoy your candles to their fullest with these detailed longevity tips:

1. Proper Burning Times: Don't burn candles for more than 4 hours at a time to help prevent mushrooming wicks and uneven wax pools.
2. Regular Wick Trimming: Trimming the wick before each burn helps ensure a steady flame and minimize soot.
3. Avoid Drafts: Place your candles in draft-free areas which helps ensure even burning.

These practices will help you enjoy your candles to their fullest.

You've Mastered the Basics of Candle Care

Understanding candle care keeps your candle in condition for the longest possible use. Now that you know the essentials, from how to get a candle to burn evenly to learning what to do with leftover candle wax, you can delight in decadent scents that give ambiance to your space. Remember to follow our guidelines for burning, storing, and maintaining your candles, and prepare to enjoy a candle-burning experience.

Ready to enhance your candle experience? Explore our wide selection of candle scents and join our community of candle connoisseurs.

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