Candles are often used to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere, but it can be disappointing to watch them burn down too quickly. Fortunately, there are ways to make a long-lasting candle so that you have more time to enjoy it.
Here are some tips you can apply before and during its burn life.
Extend the burn time when making your candle
You can opt for solutions that extend the life of your candle. Several highly effective additives will do the job.
Vegetable stearin
Stearic acid, also known as stearin, is an additive made from palm oil. Stearin has a higher melting point than other waxes, which makes the wax harder to melt.
Whether you make moulded or container candles, stearin extends their life by making your candles harder. As a rule, use 10% stearin in addition to your wax. To find out more, our previous article covers all the benefits of this solution.
Using the BE60 homogeniser
This BE60 additive optimises the burn rate and locks the fragrance oil into your scented candle. At a low dosage of 0.2% to 0.5% of your wax weight, it improves your candle's overall burn performance. What's more, this additive is suitable for all types of wax.
Choosing your wax
When it comes to wax, the best choice is still to use vegetable waxes rather than paraffin.
Beeswax is also a useful additive! By adding around 5% to a container candle wax, you will get a much longer burn time. Be careful not to add too much, or you may end up with cracks. For moulded candles, you can even use 100% beeswax.
Use cold and salt to your advantage
Cold and salt can be valuable allies in extending the burn time of your candle. For example:
- Put your candle in the freezer before lighting it to harden the wax and slow down the burn.
- Soak your candle in a bath of cold salted water for a few hours before its first use to significantly reduce the burn rate.
These old-fashioned tricks really do work!
Extend your candle's life from the very first burn
You could compare a candle to an ice cream, even though you can't eat a candle... If you light one candle in Finland and another in Morocco, for example, you will soon notice that the one in Morocco burns much faster. The same thing happens in summer compared with winter. With this very simple principle in mind, find out how to increase your candle's life expectancy from the very first time you light it!
Burn your candle for at least 2 hours the first time
For an even burn, we recommend letting your candle burn for around 2 hours, until the top layer of wax is liquid and flat. This will also stop the candle from tunnelling and the wick from burning down too quickly.
Look after your wick every time
Regular wick maintenance is a crucial step in extending the burn time of your candle. A quick check before each use is best.
When the wick is too long, the flame is bigger, so the wax is consumed faster and the burn time is shorter as a result. Ideally, the wick should be approximately 5 to 7 mm long above the surface of the wax. Re-centring your wick will also help to extend the life of your candle.
This will make a considerable difference to the life of your creation. So remember to look after your wick regularly! A dedicated guide on this subject is available on our website.
Protect your candle from outside disturbances
Dust settling on the surface of your candle will impair its burn. Whenever possible, use a lid to protect it. We also recommend keeping it away from draughts. If you notice a lot of dust, use a cloth dampened with sunflower oil.
My candle is nearly finished: what can I do?
When your candle reaches the end of its life, there is not much more you can do. If you have applied the techniques above, your creation will have lasted much longer! You have one last option: reuse your leftover wax in a new creation! This time, it's your wax that gets a longer life.
