Candle Care 101: How to Make Candles Last Longer (2025 Guide)
Candles bring warmth, luxury, and comfort into every home — but how long they last depends on how you care for them. If your candles sometimes burn too fast, tunnel down the middle, or lose their scent too quickly, you're not alone.
The good news? With a few simple candle-care habits, you can dramatically extend the burn time, enjoy cleaner flames, and get every drop of fragrance from your favourite soy candles.
This 2025 Candle Care Guide shows you exactly how to make candles last longer, burn cleaner, and perform safely — especially premium soy candles like those handcrafted at Shivora Candles.
⭐ Why Candle Care Matters
Proper care is the difference between a 30-hour candle and a 50-hour candle.
Good candle care:
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Prevents tunneling
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Reduces soot
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Helps flames burn steadily
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Extends overall candle lifespan
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Enhances fragrance throw
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Protects your home from damage
Buying a high-quality soy candle is step one — caring for it correctly is step two.
1. Trim the Wick Before Every Burn
The wick controls everything — flame size, burn speed, soot, and safety.
✔ Optimal wick length:
¼ inch (6–7mm) before every burn.
If the wick is too long:
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The flame becomes bigger and hotter
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Wax melts too quickly
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Candle life shortens
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You get smoky residue
Use a wick trimmer or clean nail clippers for best results.
2. Let the Candle Burn Long Enough to Form a Full Melt Pool
The first burn is the most important burn in a candle’s life.
Soy wax has a “memory,” meaning the way it melts the first time determines how it melts each time after.
✔ Rule:
Let the wax melt completely edge-to-edge on the first burn.
Benefits:
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Prevents tunneling
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Ensures even burning
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Adds hours of life
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Improves scent throw
Most 8–10 oz candles need 2–3 hours on their first burn.
3. Follow the 2-to-4 Hour Burn Rule
Burning your candle for the right amount of time keeps it healthy.
✔ Ideal burn time per session:
2–4 hours
Why?
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Less than 1 hour = tunneling
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More than 4 hours = overheated jar + carbon buildup
This is the #1 rule most candle lovers get wrong.
4. Keep Candles Away From Drafts
Drafts cause flickering flames, which means:
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Uneven burning
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Faster wax melt
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Soot production
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Wasted candle life
Avoid placing candles near:
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Fans
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Windows
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Air vents
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High-traffic doorways
A steady flame = a longer-lasting candle.
5. Use a Heat-Safe, Level Surface
Uneven tables make candles burn crooked, wasting wax.
Always place candles on:
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Coasters
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Candle trays
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Granite or ceramic surfaces
Avoid soft or slanted surfaces like carpet, unstable shelves, or wobbly tables.
6. Don’t Burn Your Candle All the Way Down
Every premium candle (including yours) keeps ½ inch (1.2 cm) of wax as a safety buffer.
When your candle reaches this level:
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Stop burning
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Do NOT relight
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The remaining wax protects the glass from overheating
Finishing too low can crack the jar — a major safety hazard.
7. Put the Lid Back On After Every Use
Dust and debris on the surface can affect burn quality.
Covering the candle:
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Preserves fragrance
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Keeps the wick clean
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Prevents dirt from burning
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Adds weeks to candle life
Plus, it keeps your candle looking beautiful.
8. Store Your Candles Properly
Where you store your candle matters just as much as how you burn it.
✔ Store in a:
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Cool, dry place
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Area away from heat or sunlight
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Cabinet or shelf with the lid on
Heat softens soy wax and causes fragrance evaporation.
9. Choose High-Quality, Clean-Burning Soy Wax Candles
Premium candles naturally last longer.
At Shivora Candles, every candle is:
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Made with 100% soy wax
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Hand-poured in small batches
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Free from parabens + phthalates
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Designed for slow, even burning
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Scented with high-quality fragrance oils
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Built with cotton or wood wicks
Cheaper paraffin candles burn fast and create soot — soy candles burn 50% longer.
⭐ Extra Tips to Make Your Candles Last Even Longer
✔ Keep your wick centered
If it shifts, use a wick dipper to gently reposition it.
✔ Don’t move candles while burning
Hot wax can splash or shift unevenly.
✔ Rotate your candle
If one side warms more than the other, rotate the jar for uniform melting.
✔ Clean the rim
Wipe away soot gently to keep airflow clean around the wick.
⭐ How to Fix a Candle That’s Already Tunneling
If your candle has already tunneled, don’t worry — you can fix it.
✔ Option 1: Foil Method
Wrap the top with aluminum foil, leaving a hole above the wick.
Burn for 1 hour — the sides will melt and even out.
✔ Option 2: Hair Dryer Method
Use medium heat to melt the top layer into a smooth surface.
Let cool before relighting.
✔ Option 3: Oven Method
Place the candle in the oven at low heat (175–200°F / 80–90°C) for a few minutes
until the top layer melts evenly.
Frequently Asked Candle Care Questions
How long should a candle last?
A well-made 8–10 oz soy candle typically lasts 40–60 hours with correct care.
Why does my candle burn unevenly?
Drafts, short burns, or skipped wick trimming usually cause uneven burning.
Why is my candle producing soot?
The wick is likely too long — trim to ¼ inch before lighting.
Can I burn candles every day?
Yes! Just follow the 2–4 hour burn rule and trim the wick each time.
Final Thoughts: Make Every Candle Burn Count
With the right care, your candles can burn cleaner, safer, and longer — giving you the full fragrance and experience they were designed for.
At ShivoraCandles.ca, every candle is crafted for:
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Long-lasting burn time
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Strong yet clean scent throw
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Beautiful presentation
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Safe performance
Follow these simple steps, and your candles will reward you with hours of cozy, luxurious ambiance.
• Why Soy Wax Candles Are Better Than Paraffin
• Top Candle Safety Tips for a Safe & Cozy 2025
• How to Stop Candle Tunneling
• Best-Selling Soy Candles in Canada
• About Shivora Candles
Shop Our Long-Lasting Soy Candles:
• Sandalwood & Amber Soy Candle
• Pumpkin Crumble Soy Candle
• Blue Cedar & Lavender Candle
• Fresh Lavender Soy Candle