How to Make a Candle Burn More Slowly

Making your house smell like vanilla or sweet lavender doesn’t come cheap these days, so follow these tips to make your candles last longer.

Step 1: Choose a candle Choose a candle with a regular shape, such as a cylinder or sphere, preferably with multiple wicks. These burn more evenly and waste less wax.
Step 2: Refrigerate the candle Refrigerate the candle for at least one hour prior to lighting to slow the heating of the wax.
Step 3: Place in a draft-free area Place the candle in a draft-free area to limit uneven melting.
TIP: Avoid burning candles on windowsills or near anything flammable.
Step 4: Read instructions Read any instructions for burning that may have come with your candle.
Step 5: Trim the wick Trim the candle’s wick to ¼-inch with scissors or nail clippers prior to each use to reduce smoking and increase oxygen flow to the candle flame
Step 6: Limit burning time Limit the amount of time you leave a candle burning. Burn time should be two to four hours depending on the candle size.
TIP: Allow the candle wax to melt all the way across the candle – not just a small pool in the center – before extinguishing the flame.
Step 7: Use a snuff Use a candle snuff to extinguish your candle. Store it in a cool, dark, dry place when not in use.
FACT: In India, candles were originally made by boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree.