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Caring for your candles | Thistle & King

Caring for your candles

 

 

Candle Care Guide: How to Make Your Candles Burn Longer

Proper candle care is the key to a cleaner burn, a stronger fragrance throw and a longer-lasting candle. At Thistle & King, every candle is chosen to bring warmth, atmosphere and everyday luxury into your home. Follow these simple candle care tips to get the most from every burn.

1. Trim Your Wick Before Every Burn

One of the most important candle care steps is maintaining the wick. Before lighting your candle, trim the wick to about 5mm above the wax surface. This helps prevent excessive smoking, reduces soot build-up and encourages an even burn.

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2. Allow the Wax to Melt Fully on the First Burn

On the first burn, allow your candle to burn long enough for the entire top layer of wax to melt evenly across the surface. This usually takes 2 to 4 hours, depending on the size of the candle.

Skipping this step can cause candle tunnelling, where the candle burns down the centre and leaves unused wax around the sides. A full melt pool on the first burn helps set the wax memory for a more even burn later.

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3. Keep Candles Away From Drafts

Drafts from open windows, fans or air conditioning can cause uneven burning and excessive flickering. Place your candle in a stable, sheltered spot away from moving air.

A draft-free environment helps keep the flame steady and can reduce soot on the inside of the jar or glass.

4. Never Leave a Burning Candle Unattended

Always stay in the room while your candle is burning. Extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to sleep, and keep them out of reach of children and pets.

Good candle safety protects your home and lets you enjoy the ambience with greater peace of mind.

5. Use a Candle Snuffer to Extinguish the Flame

Rather than blowing out your candle, use a candle snuffer where possible. Blowing can scatter hot wax and create excess smoke, which may affect the fragrance experience of the remaining wax.

A gentler extinguish helps keep your candle cleaner and preserves the overall experience for your next burn.

6. Store Your Candles Properly

Store candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Heat and UV exposure can soften the wax, fade the colour and weaken the fragrance over time.

Proper storage helps your home fragrance and candles stay beautiful and fragrant for longer.

By following these candle care tips, you can maximise the beauty, scent and burn time of every Thistle & King candle.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Candle Care

How long should I burn a candle for the first time?

Burn your candle until the entire surface melts into a full wax pool. This usually takes between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the candle size, and helps prevent tunnelling on future burns.

Why is trimming the wick important?

Trimming the wick to about 5mm before each burn helps prevent soot, smoking and uneven burning. It creates a steadier flame and can help your candle last longer.

What causes candle tunnelling?

Tunnelling happens when a candle is extinguished before the wax melts evenly across the full surface. Always allow a complete melt pool on the first burn.

Where should candles be stored?

Store candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources to help preserve their colour, scent and wax quality.

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