Soy candles are a beautiful, sustainable way to bring warmth and fragrance into your home. They do, however, need a little care to perform their best. Understanding how and why to care for your candle ensures a cleaner, safer, and longer-lasting burn every time.
Trim Your Wick Before Every Burn
What to do: Trim the wick to ¼ inch before lighting.
Why it matters: A long wick creates a large, flickering flame that burns too hot and too fast. This can cause soot, smoke, or uneven melting. A properly trimmed wick helps your candle burn steadily and safely, and helps your fragrance last longer.
(Pro tip: Wick trimmers or even nail clippers work perfectly for this task!)
Let the Melt Pool Reach the Edges
What to do: On your first burn especially, let the melted wax reach the edges of the jar (usually 2–3 hours). Make sure you give yourself time to allow the candle to melt fully each time you light it.
Why it matters: Soy wax has “memory.” If you blow out the candle too soon, it will continue to burn only within that small circle next time. This is called tunneling. Allowing a full melt pool the first time sets the “memory” for clean, even burns going forward.
Know When to Stop
What to do: Stop burning your candle when about ½ inch of wax remains. Do not burn the wax all the way to the bottom of the jar.
Why it matters: Burning all the way down risks overheating the container and can become a safety or fire hazard. You also run the risk of the wick moving in the melted wax and causing damage to the jar. The remaining wax acts as a buffer to protect your jar (and your surfaces) from excessive heat. If you want to use all of the wax, you can melt the remaining wax on a candle warmer, or remove the wax from the jar and put in on a wax melter. It’s best to not use any flame once there is only ½” or wax remaining.
Burn Smart & Safe
-Never leave a burning candle unattended.
-Keep away from flammable items, pets, and children.
-Burn for NO MORE than 4 hours at a time.
-Always use a heat-safe surface and avoid drafts.
Why it matters: Candles are controlled flames. Proper supervision and burn time prevent overheating the jar, cracking, or accidental fires.
Store Your Candle Correctly
What to do: Keep candles in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
Why it matters: Heat and light can fade the scent, discolor the wax, and affect how evenly your candle burns. Proper storage keeps it looking and smelling its best.
Reuse & Repurpose Your Candle
What to do: Did you know we take back clean jars for a discount on your next order? (For in-person transactions only). Place your finished candle in the freezer to pop out leftover wax, then clean with warm, soapy water. You can use the leftover wax in a wax melter for extra fragrance! Return the jar to us, or reuse your clean jar for small plants, storage, or décor.
Why it matters: Reusing or recycling your candle jar helps reduce waste, save energy, and give your jar a second life, from a storage option to new candle refills. It’s a simple way to enjoy your candle and care for the planet.