Candle Care Guide

A few simple habits can help your Fyre & Flow candles burn cleaner, last longer, and fill your space beautifully. Please read through these tips before your first burn.

Before You Light

Taking a moment to prep your candle makes a big difference in how it burns. Before every burn:

Trim the wick to about 1/4" (6 mm). Use wick trimmers, nail clippers, or scissors. This helps prevent soot, large flames, and smoking.
Start with a clean surface. Make sure there’s no dust, matches, or debris in the wax.
Place your candle on a stable, heat-resistant surface, away from drafts, vents, or ceiling fans.
Keep out of reach of children, pets, and anything that could catch fire (curtains, books, decor, etc.).

A well-prepped candle is safer and gives you a more even, consistent burn.

The First Burn Matters

The very first time you light your candle, you’re “teaching” it how to burn. This is especially important for jar candles.

Let the wax melt all the way to the edges of the vessel on the first burn. This can take anywhere from 1–3 hours, depending on the size.
This helps prevent tunneling, where wax builds up on the sides and the wick sinks down into a tunnel.
Do not extinguish too early on the first burn unless absolutely necessary.

A full melt pool on the first burn sets your candle up for an even, beautiful life.

How Long to Burn Each Time

Candles love balance: not too short, not too long.

Ideal burn session: about 2–4 hours at a time.
Do not burn more than 4 hours in a single session. Extra-long burns can cause the wick to mushroom, the vessel to overheat, and fragrance to fade more quickly.
If you only have 30–45 minutes, it’s better to wait until you can burn long enough to reach a full melt pool.

Think of each burn as a little ritual: light it when you can truly enjoy it for a while.

Candle Safety Essentials

Candles are an open flame, and we want you to enjoy them safely every time.

Never leave a burning candle unattended. Extinguish before leaving the room or going to sleep.
Keep away from drafts and moving air, which can cause uneven burning, sooting, or flickering flames.
Do not burn near flammable materials such as curtains, paper, bedding, or dried florals.
Keep out of reach of children and pets. Curious paws and tails are drawn to flickering light.
Do not move the candle while the wax is melted or the flame is still burning. Let it cool and solidify first.
Use a snuffer or gently dip the wick into the melted wax to extinguish, rather than blowing forcefully, to reduce splatter and smoke.

A candle should be a calm, intentional glow — not a stressor. When in doubt, extinguish.

When to Say Goodbye

As much as we want candles to last forever, there’s a point when it’s time to retire them.

Stop burning when about 1/2" (12–13 mm) of wax remains at the bottom of the vessel.
This helps protect the vessel and whatever surface it’s sitting on from excessive heat.
If the flame begins to flicker wildly, grow too tall, or sit very close to the side of the jar, extinguish the candle, let it cool, trim the wick, and assess before relighting.

When your candle’s life is complete, it’s a great time to repurpose the vessel.

Cleaning & Reusing Your Jar

We love seeing our candle jars find a second life in your home.

Once your candle has about 1/2" of wax left, let it cool completely.
Place the jar in the freezer for a short time to help the remaining wax pop out, or gently loosen it with a spoon.
Wash with warm, soapy water and remove any remaining wick tab or label (if desired).
Reuse as a small planter, pen cup, vanity jar, match holder, or catch-all for little treasures.

Please don’t reuse candle jars for food or drink.

Getting the Best Scent Experience

A few extra tips to help your candle scent the room just right:

Choose the right size candle for your space. Smaller candles are ideal for bathrooms, desks, or bedside tables. Larger vessels do better in living rooms or open spaces.
Allow time for the fragrance to bloom. Most candles need at least 30–60 minutes to fully scent a room.
Avoid placing candles near open windows or fans, which can move scent away quickly.
If you’re sensitive to fragrance, start with shorter burn times and smaller rooms to see what feels best.

Questions About Your Candle?

If something doesn’t look or burn quite right, we’re happy to help troubleshoot. Every candle is handcrafted, and small variations are normal — but your safety and experience come first.

You can explore more answers on our FAQ page or reach us directly through our Contact page.

💛 Thank you for taking the time to care for your candles well.

We hope each Fyre & Flow candle adds a little more warmth, calm, and ritual to your day.