7 Tips To Boost The Burn Time Of Your Scented Jar Candles

Candles add the perfect finishing touch to your home's décor and their pleasant array of fragrances emits alluring scents into the air. According to the National Candle Association, candles are used in 7 out of 10 households in the United States, with votives, pillars and container candles being the most popular with U.S. consumers. Knowing how to use and care for your scented jar candles can actually increase their burn time and keep the candles looking their best. Follow these tips to prolong the burn time of your candles.

1. Trim the Wick

Trimming the wick of a candle is one of the most effective ways to lengthen the burn time. According to BellaOnline, a candle wick should be trimmed to 1/8-inch or ¼-inch to promote even burning and eliminate black soot on the sides of the candle jar. Trim the wick each time before lighting the candle, as longer wicks can result in smoke and excessive flickering, which shortens the lifespan of the candle.

2. Limit Burn Time

Limiting the amount of time you burn the candle can drastically increase the amount of burn time you have left. Burn the candle until a pool of melted wax covers the entire top of the candle. Allowing the wax to cover the top of the candle will also promote even burning and extend the overall burning time. Even burning means that no wax is wasted and the burn time is increased.

3. Avoid Excess Heat

Too much heat can cause a candle to burn faster, which decreases the candle's burn time. Place your candle on a protected, heat-resistant surface. Choosing a candle inside a jar is highly recommended to prevent a fire hazard. Avoid putting your candle on or near heat sources, such as heaters, televisions, and other items that generate heat.

4. Keep Drafts Away

Drafts from windows, air vents and fans can cause the lifespan of your candles to decrease. This is because these drafts cause the flame of a candle to flicker, which can lead to uneven melting. To promote a even melting pool, put your candle in an area that is free of drafts. If you can't move the candle, rotate it 90 degrees on a regular basis to keep the burning uniform.

5. Opt for Multi-Wicks

Multi-wicks are commonly seen in scented jar candles and contain two or more wicks spaced out evenly across the candle's surface.  As the wicks of multi-wick candles are evenly spaced, they burn more evenly than candles with just a single wick.

6. Extinguish Properly

Many people make the mistake of forcefully blowing out their candles. It's better to gently blow out your candles by placing two fingers in front of your mouth and carefully blowing to avoid splattering the liquid wax. Never use water or any other liquid to extinguish your candles. The lid of the jar should not be placed on the candle jar when the candle is still burning.

7. Chill It Out

Candles that are cooler will burn more slowly than candles that are hot or room-temperature. To extend the life of your candles, place them in the refrigerator for one to two hours before burning them. Be careful not to make your candles too cold before lighting them. Avoid freezing your candles as candles that are exposed to extreme temperatures can crack and become unfit for burning.

Lit candles create a relaxing ambiance that can't be beat. To ensure that your candles provide you with many uses, do your part to properly use and maintain your candles to extend their life. For more information about scented jar candles, contact your local candle supplier.