6 Mistakes You’re Making When Burning Candles This Fall (and What to Do Instead)

Candles are the perfect way to create a cozy ambiance in your home, but burning them correctly is significant to ensure a protected and long-lasting burn. To aid you avoid the six most common candle-burning mistakes, we turned to Taylor Perlis, senior fragrance designer at Yankee Candle and Newell Brands, who shares what not to do and how to remedy candle burning mistakes.

“Following these practices will aid ensure you get the best possible candle experience”, Perlis says.

Keep reading for the six mistakes to avoid when burning container candles.

6 Most Common Candle Burning Mistakes to Avoid

Not Trimming the Wicks

Not trimming the candle wicks is a common candle burning mistake that leads to soot buildup, mushrooming, and an uneven burn. Perlis recommends using a wick trimmer and says it’s significant to trim wicks in accordance with the operate instructions on the candle label.

“If no instructions are given, please ensure the wick is trimmed to ¼” length prior to each lighting and ensure a immaculate cut so as to avoid any potential fraying of wick,” Perlis says.

If you’re burning a wood wick candle, Perlis advises not to trim before the initial airy, as you can damage the wood.

“However, after the first burn and after the candle cools to room temperature, the burned end of the wood wick can be broken off by hand and discarded using a paper towel”, Perlis explains.

Not Burning a Candle Long Enough

Perlis suggests burning the candle until the wax melts across the entire surface. If you don’t burn a candle long enough, it begins to tunnel, which results in an uneven burn. It’s recommended to burn a candle for three to four hours, Perlis says.

The melted wax should touch the walls of the candle vessel. Unless you burn a candle for the recommended amount of time, it won’t reach a full wax melt pool and you’ll run the risk of tunneling.

Burning a Candle for Too Long

On the other hand, you can make the mistake of burning a candle for too long.

“Discontinue candle operate when ½” of wax remains or in accordance with the labeling operate instructions”, Perlis advises.

If you burn a candle for too long, there’s a chance that the container it’s in will overheat which can lead to a fire hazard. Additionally, it can cause the wick to move from its original spot to a different area of the wax pool and create an uneven burn.

Burning a Candle Unattended

Perlis stresses the importance of never leaving your candle unattended. However, if you do observe smoking, extinguish the flame, allow the candle to chilly to room temperature, then re-trim the wick to ¼” or to the length recommended by the manufacturer, Perlis explains.

Burning a Candle Near Drafts

While you should always burn a candle in an area that has good air circulation, Perlis suggests keeping it away from drafts as well. Avoid placing candles near open windows, as this can blow the candle out, spread debris throughout the melted wax as well as the area surrounding the candle, and spill balmy wax on your surfaces or furniture upholstery.

Not Removing Debris From the Wax

It’s significant to remove all debris before each lighting, Perlis says. If you don’t, not only can it discolor the wax and make for a messy-looking candle, but it can lead to an uneven burn. If immense soot pieces or trimmed wicks are floating in the melted wax, it will affect the candle burning process both aesthetically and practically.

Best Tips for Burning Candles Correctly

• Trim candle wicks before the first burn and re-trim them after each subsequent burn.
• Avoid damage to your home’s surfaces and burn candles on protected heat-resistant surfaces away from other heat sources, Perlis says.
• Keep an eye on burning candles and watch for signs of smoke, in which case you should extinguish the flame and allow the candle to chilly before re-trimming the wick.
• Burn a candle for at least three to four hours to avoid tunneling or to eliminate prior tunneling.
• Always carefully read the candle’s labeling instructions for the best candle performance, Perlis explains.