How to Make Your Candles Last Longer

Prolonging the Life of the Candle

Place your candle in the fridge or freezer to harden the wax. When the wax is harder, it will take more time and effort for it to melt. Place your candles in the fridge for a day or two, or set them in the freezer for 1-8 hours, depending on their thickness. For thin candles, they will likely only need an hour or less in the freezer, while thicker pillar candles will need 6-8 hours. If you have more than one candle, test just one in the freezer before adding the others—some candles have been known to crack when frozen.

Mix table salt into the wax to slow down the melting rate. Light your candle and let it burn until there's a puddle of melted wax around the wick before blowing the candle out. Sprinkle in a small palm-size measurement of salt, using a spoon or toothpick to mix it around so the salt isn't just on the top. You'll need to work quickly once you blow out the candle so the wax doesn't harden before you're able to sprinkle in the salt.

Trim the candle wick to help ensure a longer burn time. Long candle wicks tend to speed up the burn process, so it's best to have a shorter wick. Use a pair of scissors or nail clippers to snip off the top section of the wick, leaving the wick roughly 0.25 in (0.64 cm) tall. Always wait until the wax and wick have cooled before trimming it.

Recenter the wick if it moves out of place. If you notice the wick of the candle is lopsided or has shifted spots, blow out the candle and wait for it to cool. Carefully use your fingers or a pair of tongs to move it back in its original position. If your candle is burning with the wick uncentered, it will burn unevenly.

Caring for a Lit Candle

Avoid placing the candle in a drafty area so it burns evenly. If you put your candle in front of a vent, fan, open window, or other source of air flow, it may not only extinguish it, but cause the candle to burn unevenly. Try to find a spot for your candle where it can burn without being inhibited by any type of wind. If you're not sure whether the area is drafty, look at the flame of the candle—if it's flickering or moving to one side, it's being affected by the air.

Melt the top layer of wax when the candle is first lit to prevent tunneling. Tunneling is when a candle burns the wax right around the wick, but the outer edges of the candle never melt, creating a tunnel-like appearance. The first time you light a candle, let the entire top layer of wax melt completely, creating an even pool across the surface, before extinguishing it. This may take roughly 2 hours for a thick candle, and much less time for a thinner candle.

Burn a candle for no more than 4 hours at a time. Burning a candle for more than 4 hours at once can cause a buildup of super hot wax, which is harmful to the candle's scent. After 4 hours, let your candle take a break before lighting it again.

Allow the candle to cool completely before lighting it again. Once the candle is extinguished, let the wax cool and harden before starting to burn it again. This is to make it safer for you to trim the wick and clean off any wax, if necessary. Most candles will take roughly 2 hours to cool.

Extinguishing and Storing Your Candle

Blow out the candle gently to avoid spraying melted wax. You can do this by blowing on the flame with a small puff of air, or by using a snuffer to extinguish the flame. This will help make sure the wax isn't blown all over the place and there isn't any debris in the melted wax.

Let the candle cool before putting it away. This is especially important if your candle has a lid—you want to wait until the smoke has disappeared before placing a top back on the candle. Wait a few minutes, letting the wax start to harden, before storing your candle in a safe spot.

Store your candle in a cool, dark place. This is so that your candles won't melt or warp due to higher temperatures. Pick out a dry, cool place for your candles, such as on a shelf in a closet or in a drawer, placing them carefully in their storage spot so they don't become damaged. Avoid letting your candle sit out in the sunlight for extended periods of time.

Wipe away any burn spots from the candle holder, if necessary. If your glass candle holder has black burn marks on it from the candle's flame, find a cotton pad or paper towel and dampen it with soapy water. Rub the burn marks gently with the wet cotton pad, scrubbing until the marks are gone. Dry the glass thoroughly before lighting the candle again. Burn marks usually only happen when your candle has burned for too long, so try to blow out the candle within 4 hours of it being lit.