How to Care for Your Candle: Extending the Lifespan
Maximize Burn Time
A beautifully crafted candle exists to be enjoyed, not wasted. With just a few simple but powerful care habits, you can extend its life, get more hours of burn time, and preserve its fragrance so every moment feels intentional. Candle longevity isn’t about complicated rituals-it’s about forming a few straightforward habits that protect both the wax and the scent.
The first step to maximizing burn time is to be mindful of how long you let your candle burn in one sitting. It’s all about balance. As a general rule, allow the wax pool to reach the edges of the container each time, but avoid burning for more than 3-4 hours at once. Burning too briefly can cause tunneling, while burning too long can overheat the wax, reducing fragrance quality and shortening the life of the candle. Allow your candle to burn long enough for an even pool, but not so long that the candle becomes stressed.
Extinguishing your candle properly also makes a big difference. Blowing out the flame may be quick, but it often creates smoke and can disrupt the wick. Instead, use a candle snuffer to gently put out the flame without disturbing the melted wax. Another option is the “wick dip” method, where you use a tool to dip the wick into the wax pool and then straighten it-this not only extinguishes the flame but also coats the wick in wax, making it easier to relight next time.
Proper storage is another overlooked step in extending candle life. Keep your candles in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or intense artificial light, which can fade colors and weaken fragrances. Dust can also collect on wax surfaces, so covering your candles with their lids (if they have one) or storing them in a closed cabinet helps preserve their quality. Treat them as you would a fine fragrance or a quality skincare item-they last longer when protected from the elements.
Sometimes, even with the best care, issues can pop up. Uneven burns often happen when the wick isn’t trimmed or the candle isn’t burned for long enough. If you notice tunneling, you can carefully “rescue” the candle by wrapping aluminum foil around the edges and letting it burn for an extended period until the wax evens out. For drowning wicks (when the flame seems weak or keeps going out), gently absorb some of the excess wax with a cotton ball until the flame has room to breathe again.
These small interventions not only extend the life of your candle but also preserve the experience it was designed to create. At Erdlen Essence, we see each candle as more than a product-it’s a vessel for stillness, balance, and renewal. With proper care, your candle will carry that intention longer, giving you more opportunities to enjoy its light and fragrance, and to connect with the experience it represents.
-Ignite your fire. Live with essence.-