5 Ways to Take Care of Your Candles

Trim That Wick. Let It Burn . Know When To Stop . Reuse It .Safety First

1 Trim that wick:

If you want a clean, even burn, make sure your candle's wick is the right length. This might require some trimming. Before you light your candle, double-check your wick's length. If it's longer than the recommended 0.25 inches, use scissors (or a wick trimmer) to neatly trim it. Try to be as precise as you can. A too-short wick can get lost in a sea of melted wax and fail to light.

2.Store your candles in a cool, dark place.

Unfortunately, your candles can expire over time. And while they're unlikely to spoil the same way food does, they can lose their fragrance, become discolored, or otherwise grow stale. Temperature fluctuations can speed the aging process up—and light can, too. Find a cool, dark place to store your candles between seasons. (Brown recommends storing your candles at room temperature.) And whenever possible, try to light your candles within 12 to 16 months of buying them.

3.Minimize mess when putting out your candle.

When it comes time to put out your candle, do so carefully. If your candle came in a jar, you can put it out by placing the lid back on. Or you can invest in a proper snuffer. "Blowing a candle out works, but should be done carefully.

4.Keep your candle clean.

Use tweezers (or something similar) to pluck wick trimmings from your candle's wax whenever you see them. Use a dry towel to wipe away soot, fingerprints, and other aesthetic distractions. (Don't use a wet towel, because water can disrupt your candle's burn.)

5.Make sure your candle burns evenly the first time you light it.

When you light a candle for the first time, let it burn for a while. You want to ensure the entire surface of the candle melts before you put it out. If you don't, your candle could end up with a rim of solid wax that never ends up melting. (This is called tunneling—and you've probably seen it happen.) If you want all the wax in your candle to burn, let it burn evenly before you put it out.