Candle makers and candle fans alike know that proper care extends a candle's life and enhances its performance. Proper care is much more important than the average person may think!
From storage techniques to burning methods and creative repurposing, mastering these skills will transform your casual candle use into an art form.
Proper Storage Techniques
Candles require thoughtful storage to maintain their quality. Store them in cool, dark places away from direct sunlight, which causes fading and warping. Temperature fluctuations lead to cracking and uneven melting, so avoid windowsills and heat sources, too.
Wrap pillar and taper candles in tissue paper to prevent dust accumulation and scratches. For jar candles, replace lids when not in use to preserve fragrance and prevent dust from settling on the wax. Organizing candles by scent prevents fragrance transfer between different varieties.
The Art of Burning
The first burn sets the stage for a candle's performance. Allow the wax to melt completely across the surface—typically 1 hour per inch of container diameter—to prevent tunneling. This creates a "memory ring" that determines future melt patterns.
Trim wicks to ¼ inch before each lighting to control flame height and prevent smoking. For multi-wick candles, always light all wicks simultaneously to ensure even melting. Extinguish flames with a snuffer or by dipping the wick into melted wax and straightening it, avoiding the smoky aftermath of blowing them out.
Extending Candle Life
Freezing candles before use slows their burn rate, particularly beneficial for tapers at dinner parties. For uneven burning, the aluminum foil method works wonders—wrap foil around the candle's edge, leaving the tunneled area exposed, then burn until the wax levels out.
Salt extends burn time too—simply sprinkle a small amount into melted wax (not the flame). The salt slows the rate at which wax is consumed, adding hours to larger candles.
Creative Repurposing
Empty candle vessels find new life as storage containers for makeup brushes, office supplies, or bathroom essentials. Clean glass jars thoroughly by freezing them (which contracts the wax) and popping out the residue, then washing with hot, soapy water.
Leftover wax becomes new candles when melted in a double boiler and poured into molds with fresh wicks. Alternatively, wax melts for warmers offer fragrance without flames. Broken candles transform into fire starters for fireplaces—simply stuff wax pieces and leftover wick into cardboard egg carton sections.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Black soot on container walls indicates a wick burning too high or drafts affecting the flame. Carbon buildup on wicks (mushrooming) requires regular trimming. Memory rings that cause tunneling can be fixed by using a heat gun to remelt the surface or carefully scraping down high edges to level the wax.
Professional candle enthusiasts also recognize when to retire a candle—stop burning when ½ inch of wax remains in container candles to prevent overheating the container and potential cracking.
Final Thoughts
Through proper care and maintenance, maximize the functional life of your candles and improve their aesthetic appeal while you're at it!
