A candle with fragrance feels like a treat you can light and forget. It is not. The National Candle Association, a US industry body, says to burn a candle for no more than four hours at a time. That is its position, not a law. It is still a sensible rule, and it keeps a sweet jar smelling good for longer.

Burning Candles With Fragrance For The First Time

The first burn sets the pattern for the whole candle. The National Candle Association guide says to burn one hour for every inch of jar width. One inch is about 2.5 cm.

So a jar about 7.5 cm wide needs about three hours. A small one needs less. A wide jar, like our 3-wick jars, needs more, so plan a long evening.

Stop too early and the wax melts only in the middle. The candle then burns straight down and leaves a wall of wax up the sides. That is called tunnelling, and it wastes the scent.

How often should you trim a candle wick?

Trim the wick to a quarter inch, about 6 mm, before every burn. The same guide says trimming every couple of hours can help a candle last up to 25 per cent longer.

A Candle Wick Trimmer Keeps The Flame Tidy

A long wick makes a tall, flickery flame. A short one burns calmer. Scissors work, but a proper trimmer is easier and safer for your fingers.

Take out any bits of burnt wick or match from the wax too. The guide says to do this before each light. You can find trimmers and lighters in our candle care range.

Here is the simple routine:

• Burn one hour for every 2.5 cm of jar width.
• Trim the wick to 6 mm before each light.
• Stop at four hours, then let it rest.
• Keep it away from fans and open windows.

Make A Strong Vanilla Candle Last Through Spring

Spring is when Australian homes open up. Windows go up and fans go on. The guide says drafts disturb the flame, so give your candle a calm corner instead.

That matters most for sweet scents. A strong vanilla candle from the Indulgent range fills a room best when the flame burns evenly. The guide also gives fragrant candles a life of 6 to 12 months, so use yours while it is fresh.

Quick answers

How long should you burn a candle for the first time?

Burn it for one hour per inch of jar width, which is about 2.5 cm. A jar 7.5 cm wide needs about three hours. This lets the wax melt all the way across the top.

How long should a candle cool before you relight it?

Let it cool for at least two hours. The National Candle Association says to rest it that long after a burn of up to four hours.

If you love sweet scents, have a look at the Indulgent range. Add a trimmer from the care range and your next jar will burn cleaner, and smell stronger, from the first light to the last.

Related reading

• Strong Scented Candles Start With A Full Melt Pool: why the first burn matters so much.
• A Candle Wick Trimmer Fixes A Smoky Candle Flame Fast: what to do when the flame misbehaves.
• Scented Candles: Five Safe Habits For A Cosy Night In: more habits for a calm evening.