Scented candles may look small and unassuming, but they can instantly transform the feel of your apartment home. With all the scents you can choose from, the feel of your home can change every day.
If you’re a scented candle enthusiast, you’ll know the frustration of lighting a candle only for the wax to tunnel. This only gets worse over time and it can shorten the lifespan of your scented candle.
Good thing there are hacks to make your scented candles burn longer. Read on to find out more.
Trim the Wick
If you light a wick that’s too long, the flame will burn too high and create more soot. If you notice your candle jar looking burnt and sooty, it’s probably time for you to trim the wick to 1/4–1/8 inch every time you light it. You can use scissors or nail cutters if you don’t have a wick trimmer.
Burn Until the Wax is Even
The first burn of the candle is the most important. It will form a memory onto the wax that all succeeding burns will follow. If you blow out your candle prematurely, it will leave a tunnel in the middle of the wax pool. Make sure to let the flame be for 3-4 hours on the first light. The next light can be shorter—just be sure that the wax is even when you snuff out the flame.
Let the Candle Cool
Before lighting the wick again, make sure the candle has cooled. This way, the candle will burn evenly. A cool candle is also much easier (and safer!) to handle. You can trim and straighten the wick with no problem.
Straighten the Wick
After every burn, the candle’s wick tends to droop until it’s facing the pool of wax. If you see the wick leaning to the side, carefully adjust it with your fingers. Don’t tug on it too hard because the wick might snap off completely. While a trimmed wick is ideal, it should not be less than 1/4 inches.
Sprinkle Salt in the Wax
A sprinkle of salt in the wax can prolong your scented candle’s burn time. After blowing out the flame, sprinkle a little bit of salt in the melted wax. Stir it with a toothpick or anything pointed you have on hand and then let the wax cool.
Use Foil to Flatten the Wax
If you still find yourself with an uneven pool of wax, it’s time to bring out the aluminum foil. This household item will help you burn the wax evenly on your next light. Surround the rim of the jar with aluminum foil so that the heat from the foil and flame will melt the wax evenly.
We at Woodhaven at Park Bridge would like to prevent any accidental fires so that we can keep all of you safe. Just make sure to keep the candle in your sight at all times. Follow our tips above so that your scented candles will burn for a long time.
Woodhaven at Park Bridge in Alpharetta, GA