Hey there, candle lovers! 🕯️✨ If you're like us, you love the warm glow, cozy vibes, and delightful scents that a good candle brings to your space. But did you know that how you care for your candle can make all the difference in how long it lasts and how well it burns? Yep, it's true! Taking proper care of your candle isn’t just about getting the most out of it—it’s also about ensuring a clean, safe, and enjoyable experience every time you light up. So, let’s dive into some easy-peasy tips on how to keep your candles in tip-top shape and burning beautifully.
1. The First Burn: Set the Tone
Alright, let’s start with something super important—the first burn. When you light your candle for the very first time, you’re setting the stage for how it’s going to burn in the future. We recommend letting your candle burn long enough for the melted wax to reach the edges of the container—this usually takes about 2-3 hours, depending on the size of your candle. This helps create an even wax pool and prevents that dreaded tunneling effect (you know, when the candle burns straight down the middle, leaving wax stuck to the sides).
Pro Tip: Patience is key here! The first burn is the most important one, so take your time and let it burn evenly.
2. Trim That Wick, Honey!
Want to avoid a smoky mess and keep your candle burning clean and bright? Then make friends with your wick trimmer! Before each burn, trim the wick to about 5mm. A trimmed wick helps control the flame size, reduces soot, and ensures a longer burn time. Plus, it keeps that cute glass jar looking fresh and clean.
Pro Tip: Don’t have a fancy wick trimmer? No worries—a small pair of scissors will do the trick. Just be sure to snip it straight!
3. Keep It Clean
Ever noticed a bit of soot or debris floating in your melted wax? It’s usually caused by a wick that’s too long or debris like matchsticks. To keep your candle burning beautifully, make sure to remove any leftover wick trimmings or debris before relighting it. A clean wax pool = a happy candle!
Pro Tip: If you do see soot on the glass, just wipe it away with a clean, damp cloth once the candle has cooled.
4. Watch Out for Drafts
Candles and drafts don’t mix well. A strong breeze can cause your candle to flicker, leading to uneven burning, excess soot, and even a little splatter of wax (yikes!). To keep your flame steady, place your candle away from windows, vents, and fans.
Pro Tip: Not only does this help with burning, but it also keeps your candle's fragrance from dispersing too quickly. Win-win!
5. Know When to Say Goodbye
We know, we know—it's hard to part with your favorite candle! But to keep things safe, it’s important to stop burning your candle when about 1/4 inch of wax remains at the bottom. This prevents the jar from overheating, which could crack the glass or damage your surfaces.
Pro Tip: Not ready to say goodbye? Recycle the remaining wax by making wax melts or creating a new candle!
6. Store It Right
Believe it or not, where and how you store your candles can affect their lifespan. To keep them fresh and ready to burn, store your candles in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. This helps preserve the fragrance and prevents the wax from melting or fading.
Pro Tip: If your candle has a lid, pop it on between uses to keep dust and dirt out of the wax.
7. Extinguish with Care
Blowing out your candle can sometimes cause unwanted splatters of hot wax or a smoky smell that lingers. Instead, use a candle snuffer (if you’re feeling fancy) or gently dip the wick into the melted wax pool using a wick dipper or a metal tool, and then straighten it, or simply use our Núr candle lid to cover it. This method extinguishes the flame without the smoke and helps prime the wick for the next burn.
Pro Tip: After extinguishing, let the wax cool and solidify before moving the candle to prevent spills.
8. Enjoy and Repeat
With these tips, you’re all set to enjoy your candles to the fullest! Remember, each candle is a little work of art, and with the right care, it can bring you hours and hours of joy, light, and beautiful scents.
So go ahead—light up, relax, and let your Núr candles fill your space with stories, memories, and a whole lot of love. 🕯️💖
Got Candle Care Tips of Your Own?
We’d love to hear them! Share your best candle care tips with us on Instagram @nurscentedstories and tag #CandleCareWithNúr. Let’s keep those candles burning bright!