Do's and Don'ts

Do Let It Burn for About 3 to 4 Hours at a Time

One of the most common candle mistakes we see is letting candles burn too long—or not letting them burn long enough. Candles are developed to be burned three to four hours at a time, so you'll want to get as close to this burn duration as you can.

If you go too short, your candle may tunnel, or it may not smell very fragrant. Fragrance is emitted via evaporation from the pool of hot wax. So the larger the hot wax pool, the more it can emit. If you go too long, your candle may get too hot, and its wax may get too thin. The heat can damage some of the fragrance oils in your candle, and the thin wax can cause your candle to put off soot.

​Don't Put It in a Windy Spot

Wind can cause your candle to burn unevenly, which can lead to tunnelling. Keep the candle away from air vents, windows, or drafts. If you notice the flame flickering, or it appears to be tunnelling, move the candle to a place with less air movement.

Do Put It on a Heat-resistant Surface

This one may seem obvious, but it bears repeating. Be sure your candle is on a steady, heat-resistant surface before you light it. Otherwise, you may damage your furniture. (And of course, keep your candle away from flammable objects—and away from any kids or pets who might knock it over.)