Here at Firefly Candle Co., we want to make sure you get the most out of each candle-burning session. Candle care is a must every time you burn your candle, so we are here to share some of our best tips and tricks for keeping your candle burning its best ‘til the very end.
#1 Trim the Wick / Check the Wax
Before every burn, you should trim your candle’s wick from ⅛ to ¼ inch long. Wicks are easily trimmed with a specialized wick trimmer tool, scissors, or nail clippers. We recommend scissors or nail clippers if you are in a pinch but for an elegant display, a cleaner cut, and a longer reach into a taller vessel, a wick trimmer is a must-have for the candle collector.
Wick trimming helps your candle have a cleaner, brighter, and longer burn. This practice helps keep the flame in control and prevents smoke stains from forming on the vessel. During trimming, it is a great time to check for debris in the wax pool and remove any fallen wick, matches, or soot. Always remove any debris in the wax to avoid the flame surging and fire hazards.
#2 Placement is Important
Finding the best spot to set your candle is an important part of the burn. We recommend avoiding exposing the flame to moving air such as open windows, air conditioning units, heaters, or high-traffic areas - this causes the flame to be disrupted leaving soot and stains on the vessel.
It is always advised to burn your candle away from anything highly flammable. Never leave a burning candle unattended and make sure the flame is completely out before leaving the room. Always let your candle cool after burning and never move your candle while it is lit or the vessel is still hot.
#3 Keep the Flame Alive
The first burn is crucial for a lasting candle. To avoid tunneling and wasting any wax, you should set aside enough time to let the candle burn to the edge and melt all the way across. Candles typically burn one hour for every inch in diameter. For example, if a candle is 3 inches in diameter, the first burn should be three hours.
#4 Extinguish in Style
Blowing out a candle can be as easy as a big puff of air but doing it the old-fashioned way does lead to soot and ash being stuck in your wax alongside discoloration of the vessel. We recommend using a candle snuffer to extinguish your candle and avoid wax splattering.
Glow is a creative and expressive blog space from Firefly Candle Co. These articles are here to serve you - as a resource for all your candle questions, for style inspiration in your spaces, and all things in between. If you have any questions or requests, please reach out to hello@firefly.com.