Good candle care begins before the flame is lit. Trim the wick, give the first burn enough time to create a wide melt pool, keep the candle away from drafts, and never burn it for more than three hours at a time. These simple habits help prevent tunnelling, soot and an unstable flame while making the most of the candle's fragrance and intended life.
Candle-care checklist
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Before every burn | Trim the wick to 1/4 inch and remove debris from the wax. |
| During the first burn | Let the melt pool spread broadly toward the vessel edge without exceeding three hours. |
| During every burn | Keep the candle on a stable, heat-safe surface, in sight and away from drafts. |
| If the flame is too high | Extinguish it, let the candle cool completely, trim the wick and check for drafts. |
| Near the end | Stop using the candle when 1/4 inch of wax remains. |
1. Trim the wick before every burn
Trim the wick to approximately 1/4 inch before lighting. A wick that is too long can create a tall or flickering flame, smoke, soot and uneven burning. Remove wick trimmings, match pieces and other debris before lighting so they do not become a second ignition point.
If a cooled wick develops a mushroom-shaped tip, remove that carbon buildup before the next burn. Keep the wick centred as the wax cools.
2. Make the first burn count
The first burn establishes how the candle will behave later. Let the melted wax spread broadly toward the edge of the vessel. Extinguishing the candle too soon can leave a narrow ring of melted wax around the wick; repeated short burns may deepen that ring into a tunnel.
Do not chase a perfect edge-to-edge melt pool by burning past the product's limit. Ollie & Co. recommends a two- to three-hour session and no more than three hours at a time.
3. Prevent candle tunnelling
Candle tunnelling happens when the centre melts faster than the wax near the vessel wall. The most common causes are a first burn that was too short, repeated short burns, a wick that is not performing properly, or a candle burning in a draft.
To prevent it:
- allow a broad melt pool on the first burn;
- plan enough time for a two- to three-hour session;
- keep the candle away from fans, open windows and vents;
- trim the wick before lighting, but do not cut it so short that the flame struggles.
If tunnelling has already formed, let the candle cool and try a candle lamp that warms from above. A dimmable lamp can soften the raised wax around the vessel without an exposed flame. Keep the lamp on a stable surface, follow its clearance and heat instructions, and keep its cord away from children and pets.
4. Reduce soot and smoke
A small amount of smoke when a candle is extinguished is normal. Ongoing smoke or dark residue while it burns usually signals a wick, airflow or burn-time problem.
Extinguish the candle if the flame becomes unusually high or repeatedly flickers. Let it cool fully, trim the wick and move it away from drafts before relighting. A candle snuffer can reduce wax splatter when extinguishing.
5. Improve scent throw
A candle releases fragrance as its melt pool warms. If the scent seems weak, check the practical factors first:
- Give the candle enough time to form a useful melt pool.
- Use the candle in a room appropriate for its size.
- Close exterior doors or windows if airflow is carrying fragrance away.
- Step out of the room briefly; fragrance fatigue can make a familiar scent harder to notice.
- Avoid burning several competing fragrances at once.
Ollie & Co. candles use layered, phthalate-free fragrance in soy wax. Scent perception still varies by room, airflow and personal sensitivity.
6. Burn safely
- Burn on a stable, heat-safe surface.
- Keep the candle within sight.
- Keep it away from paper, books, bedding, curtains and other flammable materials.
- Keep it out of reach of children and pets.
- Do not move the vessel while the wax is liquid; the glass may be warm.
- Let the candle cool before handling or covering it.
- Never use water to extinguish a candle.
- Do not burn for more than three hours at a time.
7. Know when to stop
Discontinue use when 1/4 inch of wax remains. Burning below that level can overheat the vessel and the surface beneath it.
After the candle has cooled, wipe out remaining wax, carefully remove the wick base, and wash the food-grade glass with soap and water before reusing it. Do not reuse a chipped or cracked vessel.
Candle care FAQ
How long should I burn a candle?
Ollie & Co. recommends two to three hours per session and never more than three hours at a time.
How short should I trim the wick?
Trim the wick to about 1/4 inch before every lighting. Remove the trimmed piece from the wax.
Why is my candle tunnelling?
It may have been extinguished before a broad melt pool formed, repeatedly burned for short sessions, placed in a draft, or affected by a wick issue.
Why is my candle producing soot?
A wick that is too long, a draft or an overly long burn can create an unstable flame and soot. Extinguish the candle, cool it, trim the wick and move it away from airflow.
When should I stop burning a candle?
Stop when 1/4 inch of wax remains in the vessel.
Continue exploring home fragrance
- Shop Ollie & Co. candles:
/collections/candles - Compare a room spray, candle and reed diffuser:
/blogs/home-fragrance-guide/room-spray-vs-candle-vs-reed-diffuser - Read the Ollie & Co. FAQ:
/pages/faq
Suggested images
- Hero: hands trimming an Ollie & Co. candle wick — alt:
Trimming a candle wick before lighting - First burn: wide melt pool inside an Ollie & Co. candle — alt:
Even candle melt pool during the first burn - Safety: candle on a clear, heat-safe surface — alt:
Soy candle burning on a stable heat-safe surface