The Art of the Perfect Burn: 5 Tips to Make Your WildPetal Candle Last

There's a special kind of magic in lighting a new candle—the flicker of the flame, the first hint of a beautiful fragrance. But did you know there's an art to it?

Many people experience "tunneling" (where the wax burns straight down the middle) or a weak scent throw, not realizing it's often due to simple care mistakes.

The WildPetal Solution: Your hand-poured candle is a piece of craft, and with a few simple steps, you can ensure it burns cleanly, safely, and beautifully from the first light to the very last. We want you to enjoy every moment of its life.

Here are our top 5 tips for the perfect burn.

Tip 1: The First Burn is Everything (The "Memory Burn")

The Tip: The most important rule! The very first time you light your candle, let it burn until the entire top layer of wax has melted into a liquid pool that reaches the edges of the jar.

Why it Matters: Soy wax has a 'memory.' If you only let it burn for 30 minutes, it will create a small "memory ring" and will only burn to that diameter for the rest of its life, wasting all the wax around the edges.

Timeframe: This can take 2-4 hours, so set aside a quiet afternoon or evening for its first burn.

Tip 2: Trim Your Wick. Every Single Time.

The Tip: Before each new lighting (after the first one), trim your cotton wick to about 5mm (1/4 inch).

Why it Matters: A long wick creates a large, unsteady flame, which leads to 'sooting' (black marks on the jar) and a smoky burn. A trimmed wick creates a clean, bright, and controlled flame, which also helps the candle burn more slowly.

How-to: You can use a wick trimmer, nail clippers, or even just your fingers to pinch off the blackened tip.

Tip 3: Know Your "Burn Time" (Safety First)

The Tip: Never let your candle burn for more than 4 hours at a time.

Why it Matters: Burning for longer can cause the jar to overheat, which is a safety risk. It can also cause the wick to 'mushroom' and the flame to become too large.

The 4-Hour Rule: Our simple rule: let it burn for a 4-hour session, then extinguish it, let it cool completely, trim the wick, and it's ready for next time.

Tip 4: Keep it Clean & On the Level

The Tip: Always burn your candle on a flat, heat-resistant surface, away from drafts, pets, and children.

Why it Matters: Drafts (like an open window or fan) will cause an uneven burn and sooting. An uneven surface will cause the wax pool to be lopsided. Debris (like wick trimmings) in the wax pool is a fire hazard.

Brand Link: Think of it as creating a small, safe sanctuary for your candle to do its work

Tip 5: Know When to Say Goodbye

The Tip: Stop burning your candle when there is about 1-1.5cm (1/2 inch) of wax left at the bottom.

Why it Matters: This is purely for safety. Letting the flame burn all the way to the bottom can cause the glass jar to overheat and potentially crack.

Brand Link: Don't be sad it's over! This is the perfect time to clean out your jar and give it a new life. (And if you need ideas, check out our blog post on 5 ways to repurpose your jar!)