A candle wick trimmer is the easiest way to get a cleaner burn from any jar. The wick is the cotton string that feeds the flame. If it grows too long, the flame gets taller and can leave black soot on the glass. Ten seconds with a trimmer before you light up fixes that.

How Short To Trim With A Candle Wick Trimmer

The National Candle Association is the US industry body. It says to trim the wick to a quarter inch before each use, to prevent high flames and soot. That is about 6mm. The Candle Wick Trimmer in our range suggests 0.5cm. Both land in the same spot.

So aim for about half a centimetre of wick above the wax. Here is the routine:

• Let the candle cool and the wax set first.
• Hold the trimmer flat across the wick.
• Cut to about half a centimetre above the wax.
• Tip any burnt bits out of the jar.

Do 3-wick jars need three trims?

Yes. A 3-wick jar has three wicks, so trim each one to the same height. Even wicks help the melt pool form evenly. The melt pool is the circle of liquid wax around the wick. A jar like Teakwood & Rum, with teakwood up front and tonka bean underneath, burns best when all three are level.

What Comes In A Candle Care Kit?

A candle care kit puts the small tools in one box. Our Candle Care Kit holds a wick trimmer, a snuffer, a wick straightener and a tray. The snuffer is a small cup on a handle that covers the flame to put it out. The straightener nudges a leaning wick back to the centre.

The tray gives you somewhere safe to rest the tools between uses. Keeping them together also means you are more likely to use them. You can browse the rest of the candle lighters and care range if you want to add a lighter.

Wick Trimmer For Candles: When To Use It

Trim before every burn, not during one. Never trim a lit candle. If the flame looks tall or flickers, blow it out, let the wax set, then trim.

You may also see a small dark lump on the tip of the wick after a burn. That is normal. Trim it off next time and the flame will look neater. New to candle care? Try it on one of the 3-wick jars. You can see the difference across all three flames.

Quick answers

How short should you trim a candle wick?

Trim it to about a quarter inch, or 6mm, above the wax. The National Candle Association gives that length for every burn. Half a centimetre works just as well.

Do you need a candle trimmer or will scissors do?

Scissors can work, but a trimmer holds the wick steady. Ours is 17.5cm long, so it reaches down into a tall jar without your fingers near the glass.

If your candle care is sorted and you want a warm, woody scent to try next, the Exotic range is a good place to start.

Related reading

• Scented Candles: Five Safe Habits For A Cosy Night In: simple rules for burning candles safely at home
• Candle With Fragrance: How Long Should You Burn It?: how long a first burn needs to be
• Electric Candle Lighter: A Calmer Start To Your Evening: an easier way to light a deep jar