How to make your candles last longer

Tips from the founder of Glasshouse Fragrances

BEAUTYcrew Beauty Editor / June 23 2022

Something we’ll always stand by is the undeniable universal appreciation for candles. 

It goes without saying; we love candles, you love candles. Everyone loves candles. 

The one thing that’s still blowing our minds, however, is just how quickly we’re able to burn our way through the suckers. 

And given that we (brace yourself for this humble brag) have put in the hours to cultivate the palettes of perfume connoisseurs – we’re a bit miffed that we’re routinely forking out a handful of cash for a few hours of heavenly-scented bliss. We need more. We deserve more.

Thankfully, founder of Glasshouse Fragrances Nicole Eckels has recognised our need and subsequently offered to teach us how to make our candles last longer. 

So get your notes app at the ready, because a legitimate candle genius is about to relay their wisdom…

1/

Trim your candle wick

First things first, “to get the best performance out of your candle, always ensure your wicks are trimmed to 7mm everytime you go to light your candle,” Eckels advises. 

From burning “it for the very first time, and in between every single burn, make sure the wicks are trimmed” with a [Glasshouse Fragrances] wick trimmer ($29.95 at Glasshouse Fragrances).

2/

Burn time is super important

“Burn time is super important,” says Eckels. “After 15 years we have it down to an art.” 

“My first rule is do not burn a candle for less than one hour or more than four hours at a time,” she recommends.

Why is burn time so important though? 

“Simple - if you burn for less than the recommended time, the wax may not be melted all the way to the outside of the candle,” Eckels explains. “Once this happens the candle can form a pattern of tunnelling which leaves unmelted wax around the edges.” 

“It may reduce the overall fragrance throw, and eventually may drown the wicks so the candle will not stay alight,” she warns. 

3/

How to avoid tunneling

And then leads us to our next question – how do we avoid tunneling?

According to Eckels, when you light a new candle for the first time, you need to “allow the wax to burn so that it melts across the entire surface to the edges,” in order to prevent tunneling. 

This will “ensure you set your candle up for the best possible performance,” says Eckels.

4/

Avoid using it in drafty areas

Eckels’ next tip is a bit of a no-brainer; if you want to get the best scent possible from your candle “avoid using it in drafty areas.” 

Lighting a candle “near an open window, air duct or fan” is just not a good idea if you’re after the strongest scent possible. Instead, “keep doors and windows closed in the room you have your candle lit,” the Glasshouse Fragrances founder advises.

5/

Know when to stop

“Lastly, know when to stop,” says Eckels. “You should stop burning your candle when 10mm of un-melted wax remains in the bottom of the glass of your candle's vessel.” 

“This is to prevent the glass from overheating and cracking,” she explains.

Now that your candles are burning longer, let’s focus on personal scent. This is how to make perfume last longer

Image credits: @glasshousefragrances

Briar is the Beauty Editor at BEAUTYcrew. Her 'down for anything' attitude has resulted in more than a handful of hair transformations, and she doesn't mind being used as a guinea pig for the industry's most unusual products and treatments. Her work has also appeared on Refinery29, Girlfriend and beautyheaven.