There's nothing quite like the warm glow and elegant ambiance of a premium candle. Whether you've invested in one of our handcrafted luxury candles or received one as a gift, proper care ensures you'll enjoy every moment of its burn time. Follow these expert tips to maximize the life and beauty of your candles.
The First Burn: Setting the Foundation
The first time you light your candle is the most important. This initial burn creates a "memory ring" that affects how your candle will burn for its entire life.
The golden rule: Allow the wax to melt completely across the entire surface on the first burn. This typically takes 2-4 hours, depending on the candle's diameter. For our standard candles, plan for approximately 3 hours.
Why does this matter? If you extinguish the flame before the wax pool reaches the edges, your candle will "tunnel" – burning straight down the middle and wasting the beautiful wax around the perimeter. A proper first burn ensures an even, clean burn every time after.
Wick Trimming: The Secret to a Perfect Flame
Before each lighting, trim your wick to approximately 5mm (about 1/4 inch). This simple step:
- Prevents excessive smoking and soot buildup
- Ensures a steady, controlled flame
- Extends your candle's burn time
- Protects your beautiful glass vessel from heat damage
Use proper wick trimmers or sharp scissors. Remove any wick debris from the wax pool before lighting – these "mushroom" formations can cause uneven burning and smoking.
Burn Time Guidelines
Minimum burn time: 1-2 hours per session to prevent tunneling
Maximum burn time: Never exceed 4 hours in a single session. Extended burning can cause the vessel to overheat and the wick to become unstable.
For our luxury candles with 40+ hour burn times, this means you'll enjoy many evenings of sophisticated ambiance when cared for properly.
Placement and Safety
Choose your candle's location thoughtfully:
- Stable, heat-resistant surface: Protect your furniture with a decorative tray or candle plate
- Away from drafts: Windows, fans, and air vents cause uneven burning and excessive flickering
- Clear space: Keep at least 30cm away from curtains, books, and other flammable materials
- Level surface: Ensures even wax pooling and prevents vessel tipping
Never leave a burning candle unattended, and keep away from children and pets.
Extinguishing Your Candle
Avoid blowing out your candle – this creates smoke and can cause hot wax to splatter.
Better methods:
- Use a candle snuffer to gently extinguish the flame
- Dip the wick into the melted wax using a wick dipper, then straighten it
- Use a candle lid if your vessel has one
After extinguishing, you may notice a small amount of smoke – this is normal. Ensure the wick has stopped glowing before leaving the room.
Storage and Longevity
When not in use, protect your candles:
- Cover with a lid or dust cover to preserve the fragrance and prevent dust accumulation
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight (heat can cause discoloration and scent degradation)
- Keep away from strong odors – candle wax can absorb surrounding scents
Properly stored luxury candles maintain their quality for years, though we recommend enjoying them within 12-18 months for optimal fragrance.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Tunneling despite proper first burn? Create a foil tent around the candle's top, leaving the center open. Burn for 2-3 hours to allow the wax to melt to the edges.
Soot on the glass vessel? This indicates the wick is too long or there's a draft. Trim the wick and relocate the candle.
Weak fragrance throw? Ensure you're burning in an appropriately sized room. Our candles are designed for rooms up to 30 square meters. Also, check that the wax pool is fully melted – fragrance releases best from liquid wax.
Wick drowning in wax? Carefully pour off some melted wax (into a heat-safe container, never down the drain) and trim the wick before relighting.
Styling Your Candles
Even when unlit, your luxury candles are decorative pieces. Display them:
- Grouped in varying heights on a decorative tray
- Paired with our windlights and lanterns for layered lighting
- On mantels, dining tables, or bathroom counters as elegant accents
- In seasonal vignettes with natural elements like pinecones or fresh flowers
The gold accents on our vessels catch and reflect light beautifully, adding warmth to your space day and night.
When to Say Goodbye
Stop burning your candle when approximately 1cm of wax remains at the bottom. Continuing to burn beyond this point can:
- Overheat and crack the glass vessel
- Create a fire hazard
- Damage the surface beneath
Give your vessel a second life: Our premium glass containers are perfect for storing small items, holding fresh flowers, or displaying as decorative objects. Clean out remaining wax by placing the vessel in the freezer for a few hours – the wax will contract and pop out easily.