How to Care for Your Candles: Tips for a Longer Burn Time and Cleaner Air

At Mitala Candle Co., we believe that caring for your luxury soy candles is more than maintenance, it’s a mindful ritual. Proper candle care enhances not only the longevity of your candle but also the quality of your indoor air and the experience of your space.

Whether you're burning your favorite Salted Orchid or preparing a quiet evening ritual, these tips will help you get the most from every flame.

Store Candles the Right Way

Before the wick is even lit, your candle deserves care. Storing candles properly preserves their integrity and fragrance.

Storage Tips:

• Keep candles in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight.
• Avoid moisture, heavy areas like bathrooms.
• Preserve scent and prevent dust by keeping candles in their original packaging or with lids secured.

Use a Candle Snuffer for a Cleaner Extinguish

Blowing out a candle may seem harmless, but it can stir soot into the air and splatter hot wax. A candle snuffer or wick dipper offers a safer, more elegant solution.

Why It Matters:

• Reduces indoor smoke and soot
• Preserves wick quality for smoother relighting
• Minimizes wax mess and protects surfaces

After snuffing, gently reposition the wick while it’s soft to ensure a centered flame on your next burn.

Choose Eco-Friendly Candles

Not all candles are created equal. Many mass-produced options contain paraffin or synthetic additives that release harmful toxins. At Mitala Candle Co., our eco-friendly candles are made with 100% soy wax and phthalate-free fragrance oils for a clean, conscious burn.

Benefits of Our Eco-Friendly Candles:

• Cleaner burn with minimal soot
• Non-toxic for indoor air quality
• Made with renewable, biodegradable materials

Explore our commitment to sustainability in our Sustainability Practices blog.

Always Trim Your Wick

A simple yet essential step: trim your wick to ¼ inch before each burn. A well-trimmed wick ensures your candle burns more evenly and reduces the risk of smoke or soot.

Wick Trimming Benefits:

• Promotes even, stable flames
• Extends the life of your candle
• Keeps the air around you clean and soot-free

We recommend using a wick trimmer or clean scissors for the most precise cut.

Burn Long Enough, But Not Too Long

Let your candle burn until a full melt pool reaches the edges, this usually takes 2–3 hours depending on vessel size. This prevents tunneling, a common issue that wastes wax. Just as important: avoid burning your candle for more than 4 hours to prevent overheating.

Burning Tips:

• Wait for a full melt pool before extinguishing
• Avoid drafts to keep the flame centered
• Allow wax to cool fully before relighting

Need help fixing a tunneled candle? Read our guide on How to Fix a Tunneling Candle.

The Glow of Thoughtful Burning

Caring for your candles is a small act of intention that yields a world of difference. By trimming wicks, choosing clean ingredients, and burning mindfully, you create a home that’s not only beautiful, but healthier too.

Our candles are hand-poured in small batches, with clean-burning soy wax and premium fragrance oils for a radiant, toxin-free glow.

Explore our Signature Candle Collection and light with care.