6 Ways to Make Your Candles Last Longer (And Three Things Not To Do)

Everyone has a favorite candle. While you might want to make it last forever, the only way to do that is to avoid burning it. But there are ways to improve your candle’s lifespan to enjoy it as long as possible. 

In this post, I’ll cover all the dos and don’ts of making your candles last longer. By following these tips, you’ll be able to get the full burn time out of your candle.

• Trim the Wick

Keeping your candle wick short and neat helps your candle burn evenly. Before each burn, trim the wick to ¼ inch above the wax with either a wick trimmer or your fingers. 

Achieving an even burn is important because it prevents tunneling. When your candle tunnels, it leaves extra wax around the edges of the container. Less wax= shorter candle lifespan.

• Burn Candles Properly

You want to burn your candles long enough to form a pool of melted wax across the entire top. Most of the time, this is between one and four hours. Doing this is especially important on a candle’s first burn. Candle wax has memory, so if you don’t allow the whole top of the candle to melt the first time, your candle will tunnel.

• Keep Candles Clean

Don’t let dust, debris, or soot build up in your candle. It won’t look as pretty and messes up how well your candle burns. To clean them, wipe down your candles with a soft cloth. If something gets in the melted wax, remove it with a toothpick before it hardens.

• Store Well

Heat and direct sunlight can melt candles or make their color fade or change. Always store your candles in a cool, dry place when you’re not burning them. If they have a lid, put it on once the candle is cool.

• Let It Cool

Let your candles fully cool after each burn, which takes about two hours. Not allowing your candle to reharden completely between burns can mess up your wax and reduce its burn time.

• Choose a Good Candle

Taking care of your wick and candle are two important parts of maximizing your candle’s lifespan. But choosing a well-made candle in the first place is another big part of that. Look for candles made of pure beeswax or soy for the longest burn times.

• Burn Near Air Currents

You want your candle flame to burn straight and steady to prevent tunneling or uneven wax melting. Always burn your candle on a flat surface away from any air currents, like drafts or vents, to make it last longer.

• Freeze Your Candle

Freezing candles is a popular internet hack claiming to make your candle burn slower and longer. But actually, freezing candles makes them crack or explode glass containers. It also burns at the same rate, while the cold causes your candles to melt unevenly.

• Put Salt in Your Candle

The better you care for your candles, the longer they survive. So take those few extra minutes before and after each burn to ensure they last as long as possible. While you’re here, check out our high-quality soy candles with a burn time of up to 40 hours. Stock up for fall with scents like Candy Apples, Pumpkin Roll, or our limited-edition Apple Butter candle.