From trimming your wick to knowing when it's time to say goodbye, these simple tips will help you to get the very best from every burn.
01.
Trim the wick before each burn
Give your candle a little TLC before each burn by trimming the wick to around 5mm.
Keeping the wick short helps the flame stay at the right size and supports a clean, even burn. If the wick is too long, the flame can burn too hot, which may cause sooting and an uneven melt pool.
A quick trim before each burn really does make a difference.
02.
Light in a well-ventilated room
For the best burn, place your candle in a well-ventilated room, away from drafts, vents and breezes.
A steady flame helps reduce smoke and supports a more event meltpool. Always place your candle on a stable, heat-resistant surface before lighting, then sit back and enjoy the fragrance and wellbeing boost.
03.
Establish a good melt pool
When you light your candle for the first time, allow it enough time for the melted wax to reach as close to the edges of the jar as possible.
This helps establish a good melt pool and encourages a more even burn throughout the life of your candle, helping to reduce tunnelling and make the most of your wax.
Wye Wicks
Candle Care
04.
Avoid tunnelling & wonky wicks
Candles have a memory. If the wax only melts in a small circle during the first few burns, it can encourage tunnelling, where the candle burns down through the centre and leaves unused wax around the sides.
An uneven meltpool can also cause the wick to lean as the candle burns. If the wax doesn't quite rich the edge on the first burn, don't worry. It will often catch up on the next one.
A little paitence at the begining helps your candle burn more evenly and last longer.
05.
The four-hour rule
We recommend burning our small candles for no more than two hours at a time, and our medium and large candles for no more than four hours at a time. Tealights should also not be burnt for longer than four hours at a time.
Burning a candle for too long can cause the container to become too hot, the wick to become unstable and the flame to grow larger than it should. This can lead to excess sooting and increase the risk of overheating.
Shorter, mindful burns help your candle perform more safely and can also help it last longer.
06.
Give your candle space
Give your candle a little breathing room. Always leave at least 10cm (around 4 inches) between burning candles to allow air to circulate safely.
Keep candles away from shelves, cupboards or other enclosed spaces above them, as heat rises and can cause surrounding surfaces to become too hot.
A clear, open space, helps your candle burn safely and evently.
Do not move a burning or recently extinguished candle, the glass and wax can remain hot for quite a while.
07.
Keep your candle free of debris
Before each burn, take a mment to check that the wax is free from debris such as wick trimmings, match ends or other small pieces.
Anything left in the wax can act as a second wick, causing the flame to become larger, the candle to burn too quickly, or the wax to melt unevenly.
Keeping the melt pool clean helps your candle burn more safely., evenly and efficiently.
08.
Extinguish large or unstable flames
It's perfectly normal for your candle flame to change slightly as it burns. However, if the flame becomes unuusually large, sstarts smoking or flickers excessively, extinguish the candle and allow it to cool completely.
Once cool, trim the wick back to around 5mm before relighting. This helps keep the flame controlled and supports a cleaner, safer burn.
Never use water to extinguish a burning candle. Water can cause hot wax to splatter and may damage the glass. A candle snuffer is ideal.
09.
Keep the wick upright and centred
After extinguishing your candle, check that the wick is still upright and cented while the wax is soft.
Keeping the wick in the middle helps the candle burn evenly and safely on the next use. Never allow the flame to touch the side of the glass, as this can cause the container to overheat.
A little care between burns helps keep your candle performing beautifully.
10.
Enjoy mindful moments safely
Always place your candle on a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface and keep well away from anything that could catch fire.
Never leave a burning candle unattended, and always extinguish it before leaving the room or going to bed. Keep candles out of reach of children and pets at all times, and always ensure pets can leave a space if they wish.
A few simple precautions mean you can relax and enjoy your candle with peace of mind.
11.
Give your candle a little rest
When your candle isn't in use, replace the lid and store it somewhere cool and dry, away from direct sunlight and souces of heat.
Keeping the lid on helps protect the wax from dust and helps preserve the fragrance between burns.
A little care when your candle is resting will help keep it fresh and ready for its next glow.
12.
Time to say goodbye
When your candle has around 1cm of wax remaining, its time to stop burning it. For safety, we recommend not relighting the candle once it reaches this point.
The good news is the jar doesn't have to go to waste. To clean it, gently warm any remaining wax with a hairdrier, wipe it away with kitchen roll, then wash the jar in warm, soapy water.
Once clean, it can be repurposed as a small plant pot, pen holder or handy little storage jar.
Soy wax - naturally different
We make our candles using sustainably sourced soy wax, carefully selected by our supplier from trusted European producers. Our wax is plant-based, biodegradable, palm oil-free, and contains no added colourings.
We choose soy wax as it works beautifully with our essential oil blends and, when properly cared for, provides a slow, even burn that helps you enjoy your candle for longer.
You may occasionally notice a little frosting on the surface of your candle. This is a completely normal characteristic of soy wax, caused by tiny crystals forming as the wax naturally changes over time. It won't effect the fragrance or performance of your candle.
Handmade with care
Our candles are fragranced using carefully selected essential oils, chosen for both their beautiful aromas and the qualities they can bring to a space.
Cheryl, our founder and aromatherapist, has a long-standing interest in the way scent can influence how we feel. Essential oils are extracted from aromatic plants, flowers, leaves, woods, roots, resins and fruits, and we use them thoughtfully to create fragrances designed to complement moments of calm, comfort, focus or uplift.
Wye Wicks began after our daughter experienced severe allergic reactions while we were using conventional fragranced candles at home. It prompted us to look more closely at the ingredients in the products we were burning and ultimately led us towards creating our own range using natural waxes and essential oils.
We deliberately keep our formulations simple and avoid synthetic fragrance oils, artificial colourings, preservatives and unnecessary additives. For us, knowing what goes into the products we use in our own home matters just as much as how they smell.
Essential oils
Although the essential oils in our finished products are diluted appropriately for their intended use, naturally occurring fragrance allergens can still cause sensitivity in some people and animals. We recommend checking the ingredients and suitability of a product before use and, if you have any concerns, seeking appropriate medical or veterinary advice.