Candle Expert Reveals The Correct Way To Burn Your Candles

There's something undeniably comforting about walking into a room filled with your favourite scent, whether you opt for the invigorating zest of citrus, the soothing notes of bergamot, or the uplifting fragrance of sandalwood.

Want to make sure you’re making the most of your scented products? Here the candle and reed diffuser Lancashire-based company From today…, share some essential tips and tricks to elevate your home scent experience.

Prevent candle tunnelling

Ever lit a candle only to find it burning a hole down the middle, leaving wax untouched at the edges? This is known as candle tunnelling, and it's a common frustration. Preventing this starts from the very first burn, as this sets the candle memory. When a candle is burned, a wax pool forms around the wick. If the candle is extinguished before the entire surface has melted, it can create a "memory ring" where the wax solidifies, conforming to the shape of the pool formed during the previous burn, which in turn can lead to an uneven burn and eventually lead to tunnelling. To prevent this, ensure that the first burn is long enough to melt the wax to the edge of the container.

The good news is that if you have a candle that has already tunnelled, there is an easy fix for this. To start, cut a piece of kitchen foil and form it into a dome shape to place on top of the candle, with a hole in the middle to let the candle smoke out. Then light the candle, place the kitchen foil dome on top, and let it burn until the tunnelled wax has completely melted and evened out. After this, simply put the candle out and leave the wax to fully harden for a couple of days, and you should be left with a candle without a tunnel.

Care for the wick

A well-maintained wick is essential for a clean and consistent burn. As well as optimising the dispersion of the fragrance, this is also beneficial when it comes to preventing tunnelling. Care for the wick of your candle by trimming it to approximately 6mm before each use to prevent excessive smoke and soot. This also helps to control the size of the flame, promoting a longer-lasting candle.

Keep it clean

Keeping your candle clean inside and out doesn’t just make it more appealing to the eye, but also ensures a more efficient burn. Clean any soot, dust, and debris from your candle regularly to ensure a fresher, longer-lasting fragrance. If you have an old (clean!) pair of nylon tights hanging around, you can use these to remove dust from the surface wax as nylon is effective at removing dust while also being gentle enough to not damage the candle. Alternatively, use a lightly dampened microfiber cloth to remove dust and soot. To prevent the candle from becoming very dirty in the first place, avoid placing it in a draughty area or near an air vent, as this can cause uneven burning and sooting.

Put it out safely

Extinguish your candle with care to both prevent accidents and prolong the lifespan of the product. A candle snuffer is ideal for this task, as it minimises the risk of hot wax splattering. Avoid blowing out the flame, as this allows the wick to continue to glow and emit smoke, which in turn can lead to soot forming. A good candle care kit should come with a snuffer for extinguishing the candle safely, as well as a wick trimmer for more efficient burning.

Lauren Grainger, From today said:
“Proper care and maintenance are key to getting the most out of your scented products. Fortunately, the simple tips above should be all you need to prolong the lifespan of your candles and diffusers. The only thing you need for taking care of diffusers is a stock of extra reeds for replacing old blocked ones, while a simple candle kit will have all the essentials you need for keeping a long-lasting, even burn.

“One of the best ways to ensure your home is fragrance-filled is to invest in top-quality candles and diffusers in the first place. Not only do the higher quality version of these home scent essentials often come with more pleasant fragrances, but they also tend to last longer, making them a worthwhile investment.”