How short should I trim a candle wick?

5mm, says Living Light, before and during burning. The National Candle Association gives the same rule as ¼ inch, which is about 6mm. Both are trying to stop a tall flame, which is what produces soot and can crack a glass.

How long should the first burn be?

Living Light says 3 to 4 hours, depending on the candle, to create a large enough pool to "set the memory". Short first burns are the main cause of tunnelling.

When should I stop burning a candle?

Before the jar runs dry. Living Light says stop 1cm before the bottom for a soy candle in a jar. The National Candle Association says stop when half an inch of wax remains. The wax left behind is protecting the glass and whatever the glass is standing on.

Can I put a candle out with water?

No. The National Candle Association is explicit: use a snuffer or gently blow it out, and don't use water, "which can cause hot wax to splatter". Then check the wick is actually out.

How far from other things should a candle be?

The National Candle Association says at least 12 inches (about 30cm) from curtains, bedding, books and other flammable items, and at least 3 inches (about 8cm) between candles so they don't melt each other.

Do you sell candle care cards?

A printed safety card will go in every order and every gift box once we start shipping. It carries the same rules as this page, credited the same way.

Candle Care and Safety

Two sources do the work on this page. The National Candle Association publishes a fire-safety list that is the most complete one we found anywhere. Living Light, a Golden Bay maker, publishes the most specific care instructions of any New Zealand maker we checked. Where they use different units for the same rule, both figures are given. Nothing here is our own invention.

How to burn a new candle

Trim the wick first
Living Light says to "always keep wick trimmed to 5mm", and that "trimming is best done before and during burning". The National Candle Association puts the same rule in inches: "trim the wick to ¼ inch before each use to prevent high flames and soot".
Put it somewhere it can't do damage
The NCA's rules: place candles on stable, heat-resistant surfaces away from anything flammable; keep them at least 12 inches from curtains, bedding and books; keep multiple candles at least 3 inches apart so they don't melt each other; and avoid draughts from open windows, fans and air vents.
Give the first burn long enough
Living Light: "When burning a candle for the first time, burn it long enough to create a large hole. Depending on the type of candle, the time will vary between 3–4 hours. This will then set the 'memory'." That first burn is what decides whether the candle tunnels for the rest of its life.
Don't leave it, and don't move it
"Never leave a burning candle unattended," says the NCA, and "don't move a candle while the wax is liquid". Keep it out of reach of children and pets, and burn it in a well-ventilated room.
Put it out properly
The NCA: "Use a snuffer or gently blow out the flame — don't use water, which can cause hot wax to splatter." Then "double-check the wick to ensure it's fully extinguished", and don't touch or move the candle until the wax has completely cooled.
Stop before the jar runs dry
Living Light says to "stop burning your Soy Candle 1cm before the bottom of the jar". The NCA says "don't burn candles all the way down — stop when ½ inch of wax remains". Either way, the last centimetre is not worth the risk to the glass or the surface under it.

How long should you burn a candle in one session?

It depends on the candle, and you should follow what its own maker says. Living Light says its Granite Pillar candles "should burn for no more than 3 hours each time". A widely repeated rule of thumb online is a four-hour maximum with a two-hour cool-down, but we could not find it on the National Candle Association's fire safety page or any other authority, so we are not going to present it as one. The rule we can stand behind: read the label on your candle, and if there isn't one, ask the maker.

What do you do if the wax catches fire?

The only thing the National Candle Association says about water and candles is that you should not use it to put a candle out, "which can cause hot wax to splatter". That is the extinguishing rule, not fire-fighting advice, and we are not qualified to give the latter. For an actual fire, call 111.

Does candle care differ by wax?

Somewhat, and mostly through melting point. Soy waxes commonly used in containers melt in the 45–52°C range, while beeswax melts at around 62°C, according to a US wax supplier's published specifications. A harder, higher-melting wax takes longer to form a full pool, which is part of why first burns matter more on some candles than others. The full picture is in soy vs coconut vs beeswax.

What if a candle is faulty?

If a candle you bought in New Zealand is faulty or not as described — the glass cracks in normal use, the wick is off-centre and it tunnels from the first burn, the scent is not what the label says — the Consumer Guarantees Act gives you a right to a repair, a replacement or a refund from the retailer who sold it to you. That is not a goodwill gesture, it is the law, and "burnt candles can't be returned" does not override it for a faulty product. Consumer Protection sets out what those rights cover.

Candle care and safety