Candle Care & Safety

Follow the instructions on your candle label first. Burn times and wick care can vary with the wax, vessel and wick.

The first burn

If the label gives no first-burn time, allow roughly one hour per 2.5 cm of candle diameter. For a jar candle about 7.5 cm across, allow around three hours. Let the wax melt evenly across the surface if it can do so within the safe burn time. This helps prevent a narrow tunnel from forming around the wick. Never burn a candle for more than four hours at a time, and follow any shorter limit on the label. If you need to leave the room, put it out even if the wax hasn’t melted to the edge.

Before each burn

• Place the candle upright on a stable, level, heat-resistant surface, away from draughts, curtains, books and anything that could catch fire.
• Keep it out of reach of children and pets. Leave at least 10 cm between lit candles and keep the space above them clear.
• Follow the label’s wick-trimming instructions, especially for wooden wicks. For a cotton wick, about 6 mm is a general guide unless the label advises otherwise. Clear loose trimmings and debris from the wax.

While it’s lit

Keep the candle in sight and extinguish it before leaving the room or going to bed. Do not touch or move the candle while the wax is liquid. If the flame becomes unusually high or the candle smokes repeatedly, extinguish it and let it cool.

After burning

Use a candle snuffer if available, and check that the wick is fully out. Let the wax and vessel cool before handling or relighting. Stop using a jar candle before the wax runs out. Follow the label’s stopping point, or leave roughly 1.3 cm of wax if it gives no limit. Store the cooled candle in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.