Candle Care Guide

A little candle care goes a long way.

Properly caring for your candle can help it burn more evenly, last longer and give you the best possible fragrance experience from beginning to end.

Whether you're lighting a new candle for the first time or trying to prevent tunnelling, here are our simple tips for getting the most out of every burn.

1. Trim Your Wick Before Every Burn

Before lighting your candle, trim the wick to approximately 1/4 inch.

Keeping the wick trimmed helps create a cleaner, more controlled flame and can reduce excess soot or mushrooming at the top of the wick.

If the wick becomes too long, the flame may burn higher than intended and the candle may burn through wax more quickly.

A wick trimmer works beautifully, but a small pair of scissors will do the job too.

2. Let the Wax Melt Across the Surface

The first burn is especially important.

When you light a new candle, allow the melted wax to reach close to the edges of the vessel before extinguishing it.

This helps create an even melt pool and can reduce the chance of tunnelling.

Tunnelling happens when a candle repeatedly burns down through the centre while leaving unused wax around the outside of the vessel.

Giving your candle enough time during its first few burns helps set it up for a more even burn throughout its life.

3. Don't Burn Your Candle for Too Long

It can be tempting to leave a favourite candle burning all evening, but longer isn't always better.

We recommend burning your candle for approximately 2–4 hours at a time.

Burning a candle for extended periods can cause the wick to become too long, create a larger flame and make the vessel hotter than necessary.

When you're ready to enjoy it again, simply let the candle cool completely, trim the wick and relight.

4. Keep Your Candle Away From Drafts

Place your candle somewhere away from:

• Open windows
• Fans
• Air vents
• Frequently opened doors
• High-traffic areas

Drafts can cause the flame to flicker or lean to one side, which may lead to uneven burning.

A calm, stable flame helps your candle burn more evenly.

5. Keep the Wax Pool Clean

Before lighting your candle, check that the wax is free from wick trimmings, matches or other debris.

Keeping the wax pool clean helps your candle burn safely and properly.

If a small piece of wick falls into the wax after trimming, simply remove it before lighting the candle.

6. Centre the Wick When Needed

After extinguishing your candle, you may occasionally notice the wick has shifted slightly to one side.

While the wax is still soft but the candle is no longer burning, gently reposition the wick toward the centre.

A centred wick helps the candle create a more even melt pool during future burns.

7. Know When It's Time to Stop Burning Your Candle

As much as we wish our favourite candles could last forever, it's important to stop burning your candle once only a small amount of wax remains at the bottom.

Do not continue burning a candle all the way to the very bottom of the vessel.

Leaving some wax behind helps prevent the base of the vessel from becoming excessively hot.

Always follow the safety instructions provided with your candle.

Why Is My Candle Tunnelling?

Candle tunnelling happens when only the wax around the wick melts, leaving a ring of unmelted wax around the sides of the vessel.

The most common reason is extinguishing the candle too quickly, particularly during the first burn.

To help prevent tunnelling:

• Allow enough time for the wax to melt toward the edges
• Avoid very short burns
• Keep the wick properly trimmed
• Burn your candle away from drafts

The good news is that catching tunnelling early often makes it easier to correct.

Why Does My Candle Wick Have a Mushroom Shape?

Sometimes the end of a candle wick develops a small rounded shape after burning.

This is commonly called wick mushrooming and can happen as carbon builds up on the wick.

Simply allow the candle to cool and trim the wick back to approximately 1/4 inch before your next burn.

Why Is There Soot Around My Candle?

A small amount of soot can sometimes appear if the wick becomes too long or the flame is disturbed by a draft.

Regularly trimming the wick and keeping your candle away from fans, windows and vents can help.

If you notice soot on the inside of the vessel, wait until the candle has completely cooled before gently wiping the glass clean.

How Can I Make My Candle Last Longer?

If you want to get the most from your candle, remember these four simple habits:

Trim your wick.

Avoid very short burns.

Don't burn your candle for excessively long periods.

Keep it away from drafts.

Simple candle care can make a noticeable difference in how evenly your candle burns and how long you're able to enjoy it.

Candle Safety

Candles should always be enjoyed responsibly.

Never leave a burning candle unattended.

Always:

• Keep candles away from children and pets
• Keep candles away from curtains, bedding and other flammable materials
• Place candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface
• Keep burning candles away from drafts
• Never move a candle while the wax is hot
• Never leave a candle burning while sleeping or leaving the room

Always follow the warning label and instructions included with your candle.

Enjoy Every Burn

At Kind Reason Co., we believe fragrance can make even the simplest moments at home feel a little more special.

Taking a few extra seconds to trim your wick and care for your candle will help you get the best experience from every burn.

Ready to find your next favourite?