I’m afraid I’ve turned into a bit of a candle addict lately!
I love the glow of a candle on a night and I love the scented candles that make my house smell so nice – the only problem is that the nicer a candle smells, the more I want to burn it which means that it burns down quicker and needs replacing sooner.
Not great if you’re trying to save money as candles aren’t exactly a necessity are they?
But there are ways to make a candle last a little bit longer so at least I feel like I’m doing my bit to be thrifty. 😉
Here’s a few of the ways I know of….
- Keep the wick trimmed to around 5mm as the shorter the wick is, the better the burn. Longer wicks don’t always provide an even supply of oxygen which apparently makes the candle burn down quicker.
- Don’t burn your candles for long periods of time – I usually stick to around two hours.
- Don’t burn candles near any drafts – even just an open window can make the candle flicker which may cause uneven heating which again will make our candle burn down quicker.
- Chill your candle in the fridge before burning as a colder candle will take longer to burn. Don’t be tempted to freeze your candle though as this can cause it to crack.
- Be really careful when you blow your candle out as you can blow the wax about or blow soot into the candle, both of which will decrease your candle’s burn time.
- If you have a pillar candle, you can mould the top with your hands after you’ve blown it out. If you gently mould the wax over the top of the candle then the next time the candle is lit, it will burn the higher wax first which will increase the burn time.
So at least if you’re buying non essential candles, you’re making them last as long as possible in future!
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What a great post, I had wondered why one I was burning went down so quick and now I know, the wick was really long and I didn't even think to cut it. Great tips 🙂
Some fantastic tips! I am terrible with candles… I will not use them as I don't want to waste them… but will certainly use some of these tips to make them last longer!xx
I have so many candles that I burn but never manage to use all the wax and it alloys me. Maybe i need to look into making a candle out of all my scraps
If you have a wax melt or oil burner cut up the unused wax into small pieces and place on top, works just as good as a wax tart melt.
I am like you, I adore candles and whenever anybody asks me what I want for my birthday it is always a smelly candle. Loving the wick trimming tip, will be making sure I do that one in future!
Some great tips there, I don't really use candles but I must admit that the winter nights would probably be nicer with some, so maybe I should treat myself
Great tips I would never have considered them…thanks Cass
Very interesting. I will definitely try your tips although i always want to use mine faster so i can buy some more 🙂
I'd never thought of putting a candle in the fridge but what a genius idea to make it burn longer. Thanks!
Trimming the wick really really works. I've done it for the first time a couple of months ago and it makes such a difference. My candles burn down evenly now and last so much longer x
I LOVE candles! But I have been known to forget to blow them out! Thankfully only the ones in glass, but I sometimes now rely on the battery ones. Nowhere near as gorgeous, but more gorgeous than my house burnt down! x
I love them,am always a sucker for a new smelly candle- but the best way to make them last is to be like me, buy them, but forget to use them- last forever that way! 🙂
I love candles but just can't justify spending money on them. Maybe I'll buy some now and give your tips ago 🙂