Candle Care 101: How to Make Your Candles Last Longer
Candles are more than just a way to light up your home—they’re about creating ambiance, soothing the soul, and adding a touch of luxury to your everyday moments. At Elm Design Candles, we craft long-burning candles with care, using the finest ingredients to bring the scents of Whidbey Island and the PNW right into your space. Our scented candles are made from non-toxic, natural ingredients like soy wax, designed to be kind to you and the environment.
To make the most of your candles and enjoy them for as long as possible, follow these simple care tips:
1. Trim the Wick
Before lighting your candle, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch. This keeps the flame steady, reduces soot, and helps your candles last longer. An untrimmed wick can lead to uneven burning, and nobody wants that!
Pro Tip: For our soy candles, trimming the wick also helps avoid excess smoke, ensuring a clean, non-toxic burn. If you want to learn more about common misconceptions regarding candle care and materials, check out our blog on Busting Candle Myths.
2. Burn Candles Long Enough for a Full Melt Pool
To get the most out of your scented candles, allow them to burn until the wax melts all the way to the edges of the container. This prevents “tunneling,” where wax gets wasted on the sides. A full melt pool ensures you enjoy the full fragrance of the PNW-inspired scents, like the fresh sea breeze of Whidbey Island or the calming notes of local flora.
3. Avoid Drafts
Wind or air movement can cause your candle to burn unevenly. Keep it away from drafts, fans, or vents to prolong its life. A stable environment ensures that your candles burn smoothly and safely.
Pro Tip: When your candle burns evenly, the natural fragrances like lavender, marine, or pine from our soy candles diffuse better, filling your room with the essence of Whidbey Island.
4. Use the Right Tools to Extinguish the Flame
Blowing out your candle can cause soot and splattering. Instead, use a snuffer to gently put out the flame without disturbing the wax pool. This is especially helpful for our soy candles, which are designed for clean, non-toxic burns.
5. Store Your Candles Properly
Candles designed for extended burns like ours are sensitive to temperature and light. Store them in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. This keeps the wax intact and preserves the scented candles’ natural fragrance, so they’re ready to bring a bit of the PNW into your home when you light them.
6. Know When to Say Goodbye
As much as we want to hold onto our favorite candles forever, it’s important to stop burning them when there’s about 1/2 inch of wax left at the bottom. This ensures safety, especially with glass containers, and avoids overheating. That way, you can enjoy your candle safely until the very last burn.
7. Clean the Wax Pool
If debris, like soot or bits of wick, gets into the melted wax, remove it gently with a cotton swab. A clean wax pool means a clean burn and better scent throw, allowing the natural fragrance of your non-toxic candles to fill the room.
8. Let the Wax Cool Between Burns
Allowing your candle to cool completely between burns is key to a long-lasting experience. It helps the wax reset, which gives you a longer-lasting and more even burn.
Final Thoughts
At Elm Design Candles, we create each candle with love, drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of Whidbey Island and the PNW. Our commitment to using non-toxic, soy wax ensures that you not only enjoy the rich, calming fragrances but also burn them with peace of mind.
By following these candle care tips, you can make sure your favorite scented candles last longer while getting the most out of their fragrance and ambiance. If you’re interested in creating the perfect atmosphere for your home, check out our blog on How to Choose the Perfect Candle Scent for Every Room. Whether you’re setting the mood for a cozy night in or bringing a touch of the PNW to your space, proper care will help your candles burn brighter and longer.
Looking for new long-burning candles to add to your collection? Check out our latest seasonal scents and learn about the unique fragrances in our Soy Candles and Home Fragrances blog post! Let us know your favorite in the comments below!