Why should I trim my candle's wick?

Trimming your candle wick is a simple but important step in candle care that offers several benefits:

• Ensures a Clean and Even Burn: A long wick can cause the flame to become too large and erratic, leading to an uneven burn and "tunneling" (where only the center of the wax melts, leaving a ring of unburned wax around the edges). Trimming the wick helps the candle burn more evenly, ensuring you get the most out of your candle.

  
  

• Prevents Soot and Smoke: An untrimmed wick is more likely to produce excessive soot and smoke. This black residue can stain your candle jar, walls, and even furniture, and it can also contribute to indoor air pollution. Trimming the wick reduces the amount of soot produced, leading to a cleaner burn.

  
  

• Increases Candle Lifespan: When a wick is too long, the candle burns hotter and faster, consuming the wax more quickly. By maintaining a proper wick length, you slow down the burn rate, allowing your candle to last longer.

  
  

• Enhances Scent Throw: An overly large flame can cause fragrance oils to vaporize too quickly, leading to a weaker or shorter-lived scent. A trimmed wick allows for a more controlled burn, releasing the fragrance gradually and consistently.

  
  

• Improves Safety: A flickering, excessively large flame from an untrimmed wick can increase the risk of the flame coming into contact with the candle's container or nearby objects, potentially posing a fire hazard. Keeping the wick trimmed helps maintain a safe and controlled flame.

  
  

General Recommendation: It's generally recommended to trim your candle wick to about 1/4 inch before each burn. You can use a dedicated wick trimmer or a pair of sharp scissors. If you notice a "mushroom" shape of carbon buildup on your wick, it's definitely time to trim it.