Investing in a luxury candle, is a treat for your senses and your home. But what happens when your candle doesn’t burn as beautifully as you’d hoped? Don’t worry, here are the top three reasons your candle might not be burning properly and how to get it back to perfection.

1. Not Burning Long Enough

Luxury candles are designed to provide a clean, even burn—but only if you use them correctly. One common mistake is not letting the candle burn long enough during its first use.

When you light your candle for the first time, let it burn until the entire surface melts into a pool of wax. This prevents “tunnelling,” where the candle burns unevenly, leaving unburned wax on the sides.

Pro Tip: Aim to burn your candle for at least one hour per inch of its diameter during the first use. For example, a 3-inch single wick candle should burn for about three hours. However, if your candle has multiple wicks, it’ll burn faster. On average, a 10cm/4 inch candle like ours will take about 2-3 hours at first burn, to melt across the surface. 

2. Cutting the Wick Too Short

Keeping your candle wick trimmed is important for a clean burn, but cutting it too short can cause problems. If the wick is too short, it won’t produce a proper flame. This can lead to an uneven melt pool or even cause the candle to go out prematurely.

What to Do:
Trim your wick to about ¼ inch or 5mm before each burn. This ensures a steady, safe flame while minimizing soot. A properly trimmed wick also helps your candle burn more efficiently, maximizing its lifespan.

3. Manufacturing Faults

Even the best luxury candles can have occasional manufacturing issues, such as an off-center wick or improper wax formulation. These faults can lead to uneven burning, weak flames, or excessive soot.

What to Do:
If you’ve ruled out user-related factors and your candle is still not performing as expected, it’s time to contact the brand. Most luxury candle companies stand by their quality and will often offer replacements or advice to resolve the issue. It is very important that you follow the brand’s burn instructions to a T, because one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to candle behavior.

Bonus Tips for the Perfect Burn

Here are some extra tips to ensure your luxury candle burns beautifully every time:

• Avoid Drafts: Place your candle in a draft-free area to prevent uneven burning and excessive flickering.
• Burn Time Matters: Ensure you wait till your candle is melted across the surface before putting it out. Avoid burning your candle for more than 4 hours at a time to preserve its integrity. 
• Store Properly: Keep your candles in a cool, dry place to maintain their quality and fragrance. Ideally a good candle will come with a lid to keep out dust. Ours comes with a metal lid which can also be used as a coaster for your burning candle..

Candle care might seem minor, but it makes all the difference in enjoying your luxury candle to the fullest. By following these tips, you’ll not only fix common issues but also extend the life of your candle, ensuring every burn is as luxurious as the first.

Discover more about our luxurious candles and accessories at piecesofthecloud.com

Coming Next –The Importance Of Candle Lids

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