How to Look After a Candle and Get the Best Burn Every Time
You've chosen your candle, found the perfect spot and you're ready to light it.
But a few simple candle-care habits can make a big difference to how your candle burns.
From that all-important first burn to knowing when it's time to say goodbye, here's our quick guide to burning a candle properly and getting the best from it.
Get the First Burn Right
The first burn is one of the most important.
Allow enough time for the melted wax to spread towards the edges of the candle rather than extinguishing it after a few minutes.
For our 30cl Familiar Glow candles, we recommend allowing around 3–4 hours for the first burn.
This helps establish a good, even burn for the rest of your candle's life.
Trim Your Wick Before Every Burn
Before relighting your candle, check the wick and trim it to approximately 5mm.
A properly trimmed wick helps control the flame and encourages a cleaner, more even burn.
If you notice a little carbon build-up or “mushroom” on the end of the wick after burning, don't panic. Simply allow the candle to cool completely and trim it away before lighting it again.
Never trim a wick while the candle is burning or the wax is still liquid.
Don't Leave Your Candle Burning All Day
We know it's tempting — especially when your house smells amazing.
But longer isn't necessarily better.
Follow the recommended maximum burn time for your candle rather than leaving it burning for extended periods.
For Familiar Glow candles, we recommend no more than around 4 hours at a time.
Allow the candle and wax to cool completely before relighting.
What If There's Wax Around the Edge?
A little wax around the edge during the early stages of a burn isn't necessarily something to worry about.
The melt pool develops as the candle burns, and a small amount of wax can remain temporarily around the sides.
However, repeatedly extinguishing a candle too quickly can contribute to tunnelling, where the candle continually burns down through the centre rather than using the wax more evenly.
That's another reason giving your candle enough time to burn — particularly on its first use — is important.
Keep the Wax Clean
Keep the wax pool free from wick trimmings, spent matches and other debris.
Before lighting, check that the candle is clean and the wick is correctly trimmed.
It's a tiny bit of candle care that takes seconds.
Choose the Right Place for Your Candle
Always place your candle on a stable, heat-resistant surface, away from draughts and anything that could catch fire.
Keep burning candles away from children and pets, and never leave one unattended.
Draughts are worth avoiding for another reason too — moving air can cause the flame to flicker excessively and lead to a less even burn.
Know When It's Time to Stop
As much as we'd all like to squeeze one final evening out of a favourite candle, don't burn it right to the bottom.
For our candles, stop burning when approximately 1cm of wax remains in the bottom of the vessel.
Then it's time to retire that candle and choose the next memory.
Quick Candle Care Checklist
Before you light your candle:
✓ Trim the wick to approximately 5mm
✓ Place it on a stable, heat-resistant surface
✓ Keep it away from draughts
✓ Keep the wax free from debris
✓ Allow 3–4 hours for that important first burn
✓ Don't burn for longer than the recommended time
✓ Never leave a burning candle unattended
✓ Stop using it when around 1cm of wax remains
A little candle care goes a long way.
Our 30cl Nostalgic Candles are hand-poured in the UK using Premium Apricot & Coconut Wax and offer 30+ hours of burn time when cared for correctly.
And, of course, each fragrance has a memory behind it.
Smells like home. Feels like childhood.
Written by Natalie & Rebecca | Familiar Glow
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