Are You Burning Your Candles Incorrectly?

If shiny new homeware is very much your idea of fun, there’s nothing quite as exciting as picking up a new candle – but you might be wondering how to keep it in good shape after you start to burn it. According to the experts, this is the correct way to burn a candle…

What Is The Correct Way To Burn A Candle?

From the risk of wasted wax to the dreaded tunnel effect, anyone with a particular affinity for scented candles will know that it can be tricky to keep them in good condition. In fact, the way you light and maintain your candles can make a huge difference to how they burn – at least according to Jo Cunliffe, an interiors specialist from homeware and gifting supplier Widdop and Co.

How To Make Candles Burn Evenly

To ensure an even burn, you need to start right at the beginning. ‘A lot of people light a candle for a short time, blow it out, and then wonder why it’s not burning evenly,’ says Jo. ‘The key is in the first burn.’

So, what’s the secret? ‘The first time you light a candle, you need to let the wax melt all the way to the edges of the container,’ Jo advises. 

How To Stop Candles From Tunnelling

Allowing the wax to melt to the edges is what will stop your candle from tunnelling – only burning at the centre and leaving a ring of wasted wax around the sides.

Tunnelling can also be prevented using the handy three-hour rule. ‘The idea is to burn your candle for about one hour per inch of its diameter,’ explains Jo. ‘So, if you have a three-inch-wide candle, you should let it burn for at least three hours.’

(c) Laura Hammett Living

How To Fix A Candle That’s Burned Unevenly

‘If your candle has already tunnelled, don’t panic – there’s a nifty trick involving aluminium foil,’ says Jo. ‘It’s one of the best hacks for an uneven burn.’

All you’ll need is a strip of foil and a lighter or match. ‘First, wrap a strip of foil around the top of the candle, leaving an opening at the centre,’ explains Jo. ‘Then, light the wick and let the heat circulate inside the foil for about 30 minutes. This helps the wax around the edges melt down at the same time and essentially resets the candle, allowing it to continue to burn evenly.’

How To Properly Maintain Your Candles

Another way to keep your candle looking fresh is to trim the wick before each burn. ‘A long wick creates a bigger flame, which can cause excessive soot and an uneven burn,’ Jo tells us. ‘Ideally, you should trim the wick to about a quarter of an inch before lighting your candle each time.’

Finally, make sure to keep your candles away from drafts, which can cause flickering and uneven burning. Resist the temptation to blow them out, too: ‘Use a candle snuffer instead,’ Jo advises. ‘This will prevent excess smoke and keep the wax looking clean.’