5 Common Candle Mistakes and How to Fix Them

You light your candle expecting a beautiful glow and a room full of fragrance.

Instead, the wax starts tunneling down the middle. The flame looks a little wild. There is black soot around the jar. Or you are sitting across the room wondering, "Why can't I smell this candle?"

Let's fix that.

I have been making candles for more than 20 years, and one thing I have learned is that candle performance is a partnership. A well-made candle matters, but how and where you burn it matters too.

And sometimes? The candle really can be the problem.

So before you throw away a candle you love, here are five common candle mistakes, what they can cause, and what you can do differently.

First, Is Something Actually Wrong With Your Candle?

Not every candle problem means you did something wrong.

How a candle burns depends on several things, including the wax, wick, fragrance, vessel, room, airflow, and how the candle is used.

For example, a candle that keeps tunneling even after several proper burns may have a wick that is not the right match for that candle. A flame that stays extremely large after the wick has been trimmed can also be a sign that something is off.

If you are following the candle maker's instructions and the candle still does not perform properly, reach out to the maker.

A good candle maker should want to know.

Now, let's talk about the things you can control.

Mistake #1: Blowing Your Candle Out Too Soon

You light your candle for 30 minutes because you just want a little fragrance while you get ready.

Then you blow it out.

Do that enough times and you may start seeing a little hole forming around the wick while wax stays around the edges.

That is candle tunneling.

Your first burn is especially important. You want to give the wax enough time to create a good melt pool instead of repeatedly melting only the center.

For many container candles, that means allowing the wax to melt close to the edges before extinguishing it while still following the candle maker's recommended maximum burn time.

What if your candle is already tunneling?

If the tunneling is still shallow, a longer proper burn the next time may allow the melt pool to widen and use more of that wax.

If the tunnel has become deep, however, it may not completely correct itself.

And if you have given your candle enough burn time and it continues tunneling badly every single time, don't automatically assume you are burning it wrong. The wick may simply not be properly matched to the candle.

Want more tips on getting the most from every candle? Read my How to Make Your Candle Last Longer: A Real Candle Maker's Tips guide next.

Mistake #2: Forgetting to Trim the Wick

That little mushroom shape on top of your wick?

It is trying to tell you something. 

Before each burn, trim your cotton wick to about 1/4 inch unless the candle maker gives you different instructions for that particular wick.

A wick that gets too long can create a larger flame, more flickering, soot, and carbon buildup on the tip of the wick.

If your candle starts smoking or you notice the flame getting unusually high, put it out safely. Let it cool. Trim the wick. Check that the candle is not sitting in a drafty area, then try again.

And please do not drop those little trimmed wick pieces into the wax.

Keep the melt pool clean and free from wick trimmings, matches, and other debris.

Ten seconds of wick care can make a big difference.

Mistake #3: Burning Your Candle for Too Long

I know.

You finally find a candle that smells amazing and suddenly you want it burning from breakfast until bedtime.

Don't do it. 

More burn time does not automatically mean more fragrance.

Always follow the burn instructions that came with your candle. As a general rule, many candles should not burn for longer than about four hours at a time.

When a candle burns too long, carbon can build up on the wick and create that mushroom shape we just talked about. The flame can become too large or unstable, and the candle may begin to smoke or soot.

Give your candle a break.

Extinguish it safely. Let the wax cool completely. Trim the wick before lighting it again.

Your candle does not need to work a double shift.

Mistake #4: Putting Your Candle in the Wrong Spot

Where you place your candle matters more than you might think.

A candle sitting directly under a ceiling fan, beside an air vent, or near an open window has moving air constantly hitting the flame.

That can make the flame dance, flicker, smoke, or burn unevenly.

Look for a flat, heat-resistant surface away from drafts, fans, air conditioners, open windows, children, pets, and anything that could catch fire.

And do not forget about people walking by.

That beautiful candle on the edge of a busy kitchen counter may look cute, but if everybody is brushing past it all evening, let's find that candle another home.

A steady flame is a happy flame.

Mistake #5: Storing Your Candle the Wrong Way

Candle care does not stop when you blow out the flame.

Once your candle has completely cooled, put the lid back on if it has one and store it somewhere cool, dry, and away from direct sunlight.

Why?

Heat and light can affect the appearance and performance of a candle over time. Leaving the candle uncovered also allows dust and debris to settle onto the wax.

I know a beautiful candle can become part of your decor, but I still want you to protect it.

You paid for the fragrance.

Let's keep it smelling good.

Bonus Mistake: Expecting Every Candle to Smell the Same in Every Room

This one frustrates a lot of candle lovers.

You burn a candle in your bedroom and think, "Ohhhh, this smells GOOD."

Then you move that exact same candle into a huge open living room and suddenly it seems lighter.

That does not automatically mean the candle stopped working.

Room size and airflow can change how you experience fragrance.

A smaller bedroom or bathroom may hold fragrance more easily than a large open-concept living area with high ceilings, fans, vents, and people moving through it.

The scent itself matters too. Some fragrance profiles naturally feel softer while others make their presence known the minute you walk through the door.

This is also why I love having more than one type of home fragrance available.

Sometimes I want the glow and slow fragrance experience of a candle. Other times, I want a wax melt or room spray.

Not sure which one fits your space? Read Wax Melts or Candles? Here's How to Choose for a simple breakdown.

One More Candle Safety Rule I Don't Want You to Ignore

Eventually, every candle has burned all it safely can.

For a container candle, stop burning it when about 1/2 inch of wax remains at the bottom, or follow the candle maker's instructions if they tell you to stop sooner.

I know seeing that little bit of fragrance left in the bottom makes you want to squeeze out one more burn.

Let it go, Candle Peeps. 

Safety wins.

Every time.

Better Candle Habits Make a Better Burn

Most candle mistakes are small.

Burning it for too little time. Forgetting to trim the wick. Putting it beside a vent. Leaving it uncovered between burns.

But those little habits can change the way your candle performs.

And remember, candle care goes both ways.

You should follow proper burn instructions, but the maker should also do the work behind the scenes to create and test a candle that performs the way it should.

That is something I take seriously at Kandie's Scents.

Every candle is hand poured in small batches in Memphis, Tennessee, and I want you to enjoy every minute of the experience, from the first light to the last safe burn.

Now that you know what to watch for, all you need is a candle worth lighting.

Shop Kandie's Scents Best Sellers and find the scent that deserves the next spot in your home.

Scented with Soul. Poured with Purpose.