Candle Care 101: 4 Simple Tips for a Clean and Even Burn

Prevent tunneling and black soot! Essential candle care guide to make your hand-poured rapeseed and coconut wax candles last longer.

Have you ever noticed your candle burning down the center while leaving hard wax stuck to the sides? Or maybe the flame danced too high, creating unwanted dark smoke? With just a few simple maintenance steps, you can double the lifespan of your candles and enjoy a clean, flawless burn every time.

1. The First Burn is Crucial (Wax Memory)

When lighting a new candle for the first time, allow it to burn until the melted wax pool reaches all the way to the edges of the jar (usually 1–2 hours). Wax has a “memory”—if you extinguish it too early, it will continue to tunnel downward on future burns.

2. Always Trim the Wick

Before every single burn, trim your wick down to about 4–5 mm (1/4 inch). A wick that is too long causes high, flickering flames and excess soot. A neatly trimmed wick keeps the flame calm, steady, and clean.

3. Keep Away from Drafts

Avoid placing your candle near open windows, fans, or air vents. Drafts disrupt the flame, causing uneven melting and flickering soot.

4. Snuff It Out, Don’t Blow It Out

Instead of blowing out your candle—which creates dark smoke and an unpleasant burning smell—use a candle snuffer or a lid to gently extinguish the flame. This keeps your room smelling sweet and scented.