Wick’s Candle School
How to burn a candle like a pro
Seven small habits that make your candle burn cleaner, smell stronger and last longer. Wick will walk you through it.
Start lesson one ↓
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01
The first burn is the big one
Let your candle burn for 2–3 hours the first time, until the whole top is melted, edge to edge.
Why? Soy wax has a memory. Blow it out early and next time it only melts that same small circle, digging a tunnel down the middle. That wastes wax and scent.
Wick’s tipLight it on an evening in, not five minutes before you leave.
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02
Trim me before every light
Snip the wooden wick to about 5 mm and pinch off the black, charred bits, once it has cooled down.
Why? Too long means a big, smoky flame and black glass. Too short and the flame drowns in the wax. Just right gives you that soft crackle.
Wick’s tipNail clippers work great. So do scissors with a steady hand.
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03
Pick a good spot
Stand the candle on a flat, heat-resistant surface, away from open windows, fans, curtains and shelves, and out of reach of kids and pets. Keep 10 cm between candles.
Why? Draughts make the flame flicker, which means soot and an uneven melt. A calm spot burns clean and spreads the scent evenly.
Wick’s tipBurn it in the room you are actually in. Soy throws its scent best in a normal-sized room with the doors closed.
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04
Four hours, then a nap
Burn for max. 4 hours at a time. Then let it cool for about 2 hours, trim, and relight.
Why? After four hours carbon builds up on the wick, the flame grows and the jar gets hotter than it should. A break keeps everything calm.
Wick’s tipNever leave a burning candle alone, not even for a quick errand.
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05
Put me out gently
Snuff the flame or blow gently. Once the wax has cooled, screw the lid back on to keep dust out and scent in.
Why? Never use water: hot wax and water spit, and the glass can crack.
Wick’s tipA lid on a cool candle keeps it smelling fresh for months.
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06
Stop at 1 cm
When about 1 cm of wax is left at the bottom, it is time to say goodbye.
Why? Below that, the flame gets too close to the glass and the jar can get too hot.
Wick’s tipPerfect moment to pick your next scent.
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07
Give the jar a second life
Pop the jar in the freezer for a couple of hours. The leftover wax shrinks and pops right out. Wash it in warm, soapy water and peel off the label.
Why? Amber glass with a screw lid makes a great pencil pot, plant pot, bath-salt jar or cotton-pad holder.
Wick’s tipWe would skip food storage: it has had a candle in it.
Something off? Wick can fix that
My candle is tunnelling
The first burns were too short. Next time, let it burn until the melt pool reaches the edge. Stubborn tunnel? Wrap a strip of kitchen foil around the rim (leave the middle open) for an hour: it reflects the heat back and levels the wax.
There is black soot on the glass
The wick is too long, or there is a draught. Let it cool, trim to about 5 mm, remove the char and move it to a calmer spot. The soot wipes off the cool glass with a dry cloth.
My wooden wick won’t stay lit
Usually too much char or a wick that is too long. Trim it, pinch off the black bits and light the base of the wick while tilting the jar slightly. Give it a minute to build a melt pool.
I can hardly smell it
Soy releases its scent from the melted wax, so give it 30–60 minutes to build a proper melt pool. Close the doors, and don’t burn it next to an open window.
It stopped crackling
The crackle comes from a clean, short wooden wick. Trim to about 5 mm and remove the charred bits. The crackle comes right back.
The short version of all this is on the bottom of every jar. Still stuck? Mail us at info@smellsnburns.nl.
Class dismissed. Time to practise.
Three scents, one wooden wick, and now you know exactly what to do.
Pick your scent →