If you look after your buhn candle it will look after you.
Candles bring warmth, ambience and fragrance to any space—but using them properly ensures they last longer, burn safely and provide the best experience. With the right care and etiquette you’ll enjoy your candles to the fullest. Here’s a guide to help you maximize your candle’s performance while maintaining safety.
Yes you heard that right- before EVERY buhn! You’ll want to trim the wick to about ¼ inch (6mm). A properly trimmed wick ensures an even, steady burn and helps prevent excess soot or smoke. Long wicks can create a larger flame which not only wastes wax but can also lead to smoke and an uneven burn. Which we don’t want.
Allow the candle to burn long enough for the melted wax to reach the edges of the jar. This prevents tunnelling—where wax builds up around the sides—so your candle will burn evenly throughout its lifespan. A good rule of thumb is to burn for about 1-2 hours per inch of candle diameter.
We know this will be hard. While it’s tempting to keep your candle burning all day- the ideal burn time is 3-4 hours per session. This helps maintain a proper wax pool and prevents the wick from becoming too long. Longer burns can cause the wick to "mushroom" and produce soot. While shorter burns can lead to tunnelling. We know it’s like Goldilocks but just do it.
Place your candle on a stable, heat-resistant surface to avoid damage to your furniture or countertops. Candles can get hot during burning, especially if the container heats up. It’s important to ensure the surface can withstand the heat.
This is one of the golden rules of candle etiquette: always keep an eye on your candle while it’s burning. Never leave it unattended and make sure to extinguish it if you’re leaving the room or going to sleep. Keep candles away from flammable objects, children and pets.
When it’s time to put out your candle avoid blowing it out directly as this can cause hot wax to splatter. Instead use a candle snuffer or gently dip the wick into the melted wax using a wick dipper, then straighten it. This method reduces smoke and helps preserve the wick for future burns.
To ensure a clean burn make sure no debris (like wick trimmings, matches, or dust) falls into the wax pool. Foreign objects can affect the burn quality and even pose a fire hazard. Regularly check your candle to ensure it’s free of any contaminants.
When only about ½ inch (1.5 cm) of wax remains at the bottom of the candle it’s time to stop burning. Continuing to burn the candle after this point can cause the glass or container to overheat and crack. To continue enjoying your favourite scent switch to a wax refill if you’re using a refillable candle jar.
