How to Make Your Candles Last Longer
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There's nothing quite like lighting a beautiful candle and filling your home with a gorgeous scent. But if your candles seem to burn out faster than expected, a few simple habits can make a big difference. Here's everything you need to know to get the most out of every burn.
1. Trim the Wick Before Every Burn
This is the single most important candle care tip. Before lighting your candle, trim the wick to around 5mm (about ¼ inch). A longer wick creates a larger, flickering flame that burns through wax much faster — and can produce soot. A trimmed wick gives you a steady, controlled flame and a cleaner burn every time.
2. Allow a Full Melt Pool on the First Burn
Candle wax has a memory. The first time you light a candle, let it burn long enough for the entire top layer of wax to melt from edge to edge — this is called the melt pool. If you blow it out too soon, the wax will "tunnel" down the centre, wasting all the wax around the edges. For most candles, this takes 2–4 hours.
3. Don't Burn for Too Long at Once
While you want a full melt pool, you shouldn't burn a candle for more than 4 hours at a time. Extended burns cause the wick to "mushroom" (develop a carbon build-up at the tip), which leads to uneven burning and excess soot. Let your candle cool for at least 2 hours before relighting.
4. Keep Your Candle Away from Draughts
Draughts from open windows, fans, or air conditioning cause your candle to burn unevenly and much faster. They can also cause the flame to flicker and produce black smoke. Find a sheltered spot for your candle to ensure an even, slow burn.
5. Store Candles Properly
Heat, light, and humidity are the enemies of candles. Store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. UV light can fade the colour and degrade the fragrance over time. If your candle came with a lid, use it — it keeps dust off the wax and helps preserve the scent.
6. Know When to Stop
Stop burning your candle when there's about 1cm of wax left at the bottom. Burning below this level can cause the glass to overheat. It's also the perfect time to clean out the jar and repurpose it — our candle jars make lovely little plant pots or storage pots!
Ready to Put These Tips to the Test?
Now that you know how to care for your candles, why not treat yourself to a new one? Our candles are hand-poured using premium soy wax, designed to give you a long, clean, and beautifully scented burn when cared for properly.
Some of our most-loved scents to try:
- Juicy Pear & Musky Freesia Candle — a fresh, fruity favourite
- Blooming Peonies & Oud Candle — floral with a warm, woody depth
- Rich Honey & Smoked Wood Mellow Melts — cosy and indulgent
Follow these simple steps and your Mellow Moments candles will reward you with hours of beautiful fragrance. Happy burning! 🕯️