I love a high-quality, finely scented luxury candle as much as the next person (okay, probably more). Sure, they can be a bit of an investment, particularly if you love burning them in every room of your house – like I do! I like to think of luxury candles as an investment in your well-being. As with any good investment, you want to make sure it’s long lasting.
Enter candle care and candle maintenance – so easy to forget, but so important for the longevity of your candles. I’ve created this easy list to help you integrate candle upkeep into your regular routine.
Candle Burning – The Basics
- Trim the wick about 1/4 of an inch to ensure even burning and to prevent your wick from mushrooming.
- The first time you burn a candle be sure to let the entire surface liquefy to prevent tunneling.
- Don’t burn your candle in a windy or breezy space as flames can easily be carried.
- Make sure that candles are at least three inches away from one another to avoid fusion and flaring.
- Before leaving an extinguished candle unattended, make sure that the flame is completely out.
- Keep candles away from anything flammable (such as curtains or plants).
- Many people are told to freeze their candles in order to make them burn for longer. While this technique does cause candles to burn for a few minutes longer, it also makes them far more likely to crack and break due to the heat difference – not worth the extra minutes of burn time, if you ask me.
- Don’t forget to place all candles that will be lit on fireproof surfaces to avoid damaging flammable materials.
Your Candle Toolbox
Yes, there is such a thing. Here are 3 candle tools every candle enthusiast should have on hand:
1. Wick Trimmer – Wick trimming at purchase and beyond is always recommended. This ensures an all-around better burn and eliminates the awkward trimming with regular scissors once the candle nears its end.
2. Wick Dipper – Picture this: your candle has filled your home with a wonderful perfume, only for you to blow it out and replace that fragrance with smoke. What a waste! This brilliant little tool extinguishes your candles cleanly and without the smoke, leaving you to enjoy the lingering aroma of your candle.
3. Candle Snuffer – Used for centuries, candle snuffers are also used to extinguish candle flames. So what’s the difference between this and a wick dipper, you may ask? While wick dippers work great for container candles, candle snuffers can be used for all types of candles. Consider this one the OG of candle tools.
Candle Storage
Candle care is just as important for when your candles are not in use.
- Just like medicine and vitamins, luxury candles should be stored in a cool, dry place to avoid melting (such as your fave chocolate – I know you have one!) and fading.
- To maintain the shapes of your traditional candle sticks, store them lying flat.
- To keep the scent fresh, lidless scented candles can be stored in a variety of ways:
- In their original box
- With silicone stretch lids
- In a small drawstring bag (bonus points if it’s extra cute)
- Individually wrapped in storage containers – this also helps keep glass vessels from breaking
- Use microfiber cloths to remove fingerprints and smudges
- Pour hot (not boiling) water over candleholders and dishes to remove unwanted wax
- If you’ve been “saving your candle for a special occasion” for longer than expected, easily clean off dust bunnies by using a swifter cloth – also, every day is a special occasion!
- Candles can fade, so keep yours out of harsh, bright lights and direct sunlight
Candle Care Tips: Create Lasting Memories
Next time you add a new candle to your repertoire, remember to check the manufacturer suggestions for product-specific safety instructions.
Now that you know some basic candle care, you can enjoy their delightful fragrances all year long. Consider adding some vintage matches to your candle collection for an extra pop to your home décor – and start making lasting memories!
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