Most people don’t realize how much proper candle maintenance affects the way your candle burns — and lasts. The truth is, it all comes down to basic science.
When you first light your candle, the flame melts the top layer of wax, creating a small pool. That melted wax is what fuels your candle and allows it to burn evenly from edge to edge.
When you’re finished burning, simply put the lid on to extinguish it — that seals in the fragrance and keeps the wax clean for next time.
The Wick “Mushroom” Effect
Here’s where most people go wrong: they forget to trim the wick before relighting.
After the first burn, your wick develops a little “mushroom” at the top — a carbon buildup from the previous flame.
If you don’t cut that off, the next time you light the candle, your flame will be larger than normal. That bigger flame burns hotter, which can cause:
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Black soot inside the glass
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Overheating of the container
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Faster wax burn (shorter candle life)
You might notice your glass turning black — that’s soot.
It’s harmless, but it’s a sign your wick needs trimming.
If it happens, just wipe the inside of the jar with a paper towel once the wax is cool, and make sure to trim your wick to ¼ inch before lighting again.
The Perfect Burn Every Time
For the first burn, always let your candle melt all the way to the edges — usually about 2 hours for most sizes.
This helps create an even wax pool and prevents tunneling (that annoying hole that forms down the middle when you blow it out too soon).
Each time after, let your candle burn for at least one hour so the wax stays level and burns clean.
💡 Quick Candle Care Tips
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Trim wick to ¼ inch before every burn
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Let the first burn reach the glass edge
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Burn at least one hour each time
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Extinguish by placing the lid on — never blowing it out
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Wipe out soot with a dry paper towel if needed
Taking a few extra seconds to care for your candle makes all the difference.
You’ll get a cleaner burn, better scent throw, and a longer-lasting candle — just the way we intended when we hand-poured it for you.
✨ Surf’s Up Candle — burn bright, burn clean.
