While candles make great mood enhancers, they can also be an expensive way to light your home up in the evening time. However, it's possible to extend the life of your candles, saving you money and allowing you to enjoy them over a more extended period. The key to maintaining proper candle care, especially when storing and extinguishing them safely once used. In this article, we’ll make discussion on 15 different tips to make your candles last for long.
15 Different awesome tips to make your candles last for a long time
If you love candles as much as we do, you'll want to learn how to make them last longer between refills. A candle that burns down can be more environmentally friendly and save you money in the long run by reducing your total candle consumption. Check out our list of 15 tips for making your candles last longer.
1) Don’t burn them all at once
When you first get your candles, it can be tempting to want to burn them all at once. But resist the urge! Burning them all at once will shorten their lifespan significantly—instead, space out your candle-burning sessions to make them last as long as possible. The average burning time of a candle is 12 hours per inch of height. So if you have a 3-inch tall candle, each session should be about 36 hours apart.
Your candle will last between 100 and 120 hours before being used up. If that seems too much work, try just waiting until there's an hour or two left before lighting a new one.
2) Burn the right candle in the right place
If you want your candles to last as long as possible, it's essential to burn them correctly. Avoid drafts, direct sunlight, and heat sources, which can all cause your candle to burn faster. In addition, use votives or tealights instead of larger candles, so they don't have to be lit for as long. It would be best if you also trimmed the wick before every time you light a candle since it's the wick that burns down.
Be sure to blow out your candles to avoid an unattended fire hazard when you're done with them. Finally, store your candles away from other flammable materials (like paper).
3) Cut down on scent intensity
To make your candles last longer, start by reducing the scent intensity. You can do this by trimming the wick before each burn and using a lower temperature setting on your diffuser. You can also try using a smaller candle or burning it for a shorter period. Doing these things allows you to enjoy your candles for longer without replacing them often. Mixing two is a great way to get more out of your favorite scents!
Complementary scents create an intoxicating blend much more potent than individual scents. Citrusy smells like lemon, and lime will mix well with lavender and peppermint-scented candles. If you want something spicy, combine gingerbread with cinnamon apple spices.
4) Ventilate properly
Ventilation is key to making your candles last longer. If you don't have proper ventilation in your home, the heat from the candles can cause them to melt and become misshapen. Ensure to open a window or door when burning candles, and never leave them unattended. Avoid using candles near drafts that may blow out the flame.
Candles should also be placed on a level surface away from flammable objects like curtains and furniture. And always trim wicks before each use to prevent soot build-up around the candle.
5) Don't move lit candles
Always avoid moving lit candles, as this will result in the melted wax spilling over furniture and carpets. Keep an eye on their liquid levels: You want to keep an eye on how much liquid is left in your candle if it's not a jar candle. An excellent way to tell how much liquid remains is by observing how low the wick has burned down - if there's still plenty of liquid lefts, then you're safe! But if you see that the wick has reached halfway down into the jar, chances are there isn't enough liquid left, and it's time to replace your candle.
6) Never leave lit candles unattended
As previously mentioned, make sure never to leave a lit candle unattended. Leaving a burning candle alone can result in fire hazards such as soot build-up and melting wax, potentially leading to accidents such as fires or burns. Be careful when handling lit candles. They can get boiling. It's essential to keep pets and children away from any flame source, gas, oil, or electric stovetops. Otherwise, they risk severe burns and injuries that could put them in danger.
7) Taper off
As your candle burns, the heat from the flame melts the wax near the wick. If you allow your candle to burn down to the bottom, there will be nothing left to draw up the liquid wax, and your candle will go out. By gently tapping the side of your candle with a blunt object, you can cause the molten wax to spread out and cool more quickly.
Extinguish candles about two inches high before leaving them unattended for long periods or if they are not in use. Consider using double-wicked candles so that one candle lights another when it begins to sputter and die.
8) Store them correctly
The first step to making your candles last longer is to store them correctly. That means keeping them away from heat sources, direct sunlight, and drafts. They'll last much longer if you store them in a cool, dark place. It's also essential to keep the wick trimmed so that it doesn't become too long and burn down into the wax where it can't be replaced.
It's always best to trim the wick before burning it, but if you notice that it has grown too long while burning, extinguish the flame and use scissors or a matchstick to trim the wick at least 1/4 inch below the wax level.
9) Where you buy your candle
Most people don't think about where they buy their candles, but it can significantly affect how long they last. Look for a reputable store that specializes in selling candles. Avoid places that sell candles as an afterthought, such as gift shops or home goods stores. You'll pay a little more, but it's worth it in the long run.
10) Keep wicks trimmed
One of the best ways to make your candles last longer is to keep the wicks trimmed. If the wick is too long, it will draw too much liquid wax up the wick, causing the flame to become too large and unstable. Trimming the wick before each use can help avoid this problem.
Finally, when lighting a candle, ensure you never leave it unattended or in reach of children and pets - accidents happen!
11) Don't move them around a lot
If you constantly move your candles around, they will lose their shape and won't burn as evenly. Keep them in a place where they'll get plenty of air circulation so they can breathe, but don't put them someplace where they'll be in the way or where they might get knocked over. Make sure that the candle's wick is trimmed every time it burns for about an hour (which should happen about once per week). Lastly, make sure that the candle holder is sturdy enough to support the weight of the candle.
12) Keep an eye on the temperature
The right temperature can help your candles last longer. If it's too hot, the wax will melt, and the wick will burn too quickly. If it's too cold, the wax will harden, and the candle won't be able to draw the wick up correctly. The ideal temperature for most candles is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
You'll know that you're getting the correct temperature if your room isn't noticeably warm or cool. You can also invest in a thermometer that plugs into an outlet and tells you the ambient temperature (some are even remote-controlled).
13) Avoid drafty places
If you want your candles to last as long as possible, it's essential to avoid burning them in drafty places. Drafts can cause the flame to flicker and the candle to burn unevenly, which will shorten its lifespan. Instead, try to burn your candles in a relatively warm room free of drafts. The best way to accomplish this is by lighting the candle on one side of the room and sitting on the other with a book or other hobby. Also, ensure that you don't light multiple candles in one space – only light one at a time for maximum effect!
14) Get a suitable jar or container
The first step to making your candles last is to get a suitable jar or container. If you're using a glass jar, make sure it's heat-resistant. You'll also want to ensure the jar is big enough so the candle can burn evenly. A good rule of thumb is to get a jar that's 1 inch wider than the candle itself. When shopping for containers, make sure they are made from metal or ceramic, not plastic. Remember: If you have trouble finding containers that meet these criteria, try purchasing empty vessels and pouring your wax into them yourself.
15) Use high-quality, non-toxic ingredients
When it comes to candles, you get what you pay for. To get a long-lasting candle, it's essential to use high-quality, non-toxic ingredients. This will not only make your candle last longer, but it will also be better for your health. If you're concerned about toxins in the air and want to avoid them in your home, try using soy wax or beeswax.
These materials are naturally clean and produce little odor when burning compared to paraffin waxes which produce soot and toxins. Soy wax is easier on the environment than paraffin because less petroleum is needed for production.
Final Thoughts
We can't all afford the high-end candles that smell amazing and last forever, but you don't have to settle for bad-smelling candles that only burn for an hour or two. You can do some simple things to make your homemade candles burn longer than ever before, and you don't even need much special equipment.
Making Your Candles Last Longer: The Top Three FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions about candles.
1. What Should I Do if My Candle Burns Down Past the Wick?
If your candle burns down past the wick, there's unfortunately not much you can do to salvage it. First, make sure you're trimming your wicks before each use. This will help them burn more evenly and slowly. Second, avoid drafts in your home – they can cause your candles to burn unevenly and too quickly.
2. Is It Safe to Burn Unscented Candles in an Open Room?
While unscented candles are generally safe to burn in an open room, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
- First, make sure the wick is trimmed to 1⁄4 inch before each use. This will help prevent the candle from smoking and will also help it burn more evenly.
- Second, keep the candle away from drafts. Drafts can cause the flame to flicker and can also cause the candle to burn more quickly.
- Finally, don’t leave the candle unattended.
3. Where Should I Place My Candle?
When choosing the perfect spot for your candle, there are a few things to consider.
- First, consider the height of the area where you'll place your candle. You'll want to make sure the wick is long enough to reach the flame without being too close to it.
- Second, consider the draftiness of the room. If there are a lot of airflows, your candle will burn faster.
- Finally, take into account the type of fragrance you're using. Some scents have more pungent smells and can permeate a more prominent space more quickly.