How to look after soy wax candles
Soy wax candles are delicate, natural, and made to scent a room slowly. For your Dreya Candles candle to burn beautifully, evenly and safely, it's worth following a few simple habits.
Looking after it properly prevents tunnelling, keeps the flame steady, and lets you enjoy the fragrance you chose for as long as possible.
The first burn is the most important
The first time you use it, let the candle burn until the melted wax reaches close to the edges of the container. Depending on the size of the candle, that can take a couple of hours.
The first burn shapes how the candle will burn from then on. Put it out too soon and a "tunnel" can form around the wick, leaving the wax around the rim unused.
Even so, don't leave it burning for more than 3–4 hours at a stretch, even if the surface hasn't melted all the way.
Trim the wick before every lighting
Before you light the candle, trim the wick to about 5 mm. A wick that's too long can cause:
- a flame that's too large or unsteady;
- smoke and soot;
- black marks on the container;
- the wax burning down too fast;
- the container overheating.
Ordinary scissors will do, or a wick trimmer if you have one. Make sure the trimmed bits don't stay on the surface of the wax.
Don't burn it for more than 3–4 hours
However good the fragrance is, the candle needs breaks. After about 3–4 hours of burning, put out the flame and let the wax cool completely before the next lighting.
Burning it too long can make the flame grow too large, let the wick form a mushroom-shaped deposit, and heat the container excessively.
Put the candle somewhere suitable
Place the candle on a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface. Keep it away from:
- draughts;
- open windows and fans;
- curtains and other flammable materials;
- children and pets;
- direct heat sources or strong sunlight.
Draughts make the flame dance, can produce smoke, and cause the wax to burn unevenly.
Keep the surface of the wax clean
Don't leave pieces of wick, matches or other debris in the wax. They affect the burn and can become additional things that catch fire.
If you notice a black deposit at the tip of the wick, put the candle out, let it cool, and carefully remove the burnt part before the next use.
How to put the candle out properly
To avoid excess smoke, use a candle snuffer, or cover the flame with the lid only if the lid is designed for putting it out.
Don't pour water onto hot wax. The difference in temperature can make the wax spit and can damage or even crack the container.
Once it's out, check that the wick is centred. If it has shifted slightly, you can carefully reposition it while the wax is still soft, without touching the hot wax.
Stop using it before the wax runs out completely
Don't let the candle burn down to the bottom of the container. Stop using it when about 1 cm of wax is left.
If the flame keeps burning very close to the base, the container can overheat.
Don't move the candle while it's lit or while the wax is liquid. The container can be very hot, even if it doesn't look it from the outside.
Why soy wax can look different
Soy wax is a natural material, and its appearance can change over time. You may see small variations in colour, slightly uneven surfaces, or whitish crystals — a phenomenon known as "frosting".
These changes are normal and don't affect the quality, the fragrance or the way the candle burns. Every hand-poured candle can have small quirks that make it unique.
How to store the candle between uses
To protect both the fragrance and the look of the wax, keep the candle somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sunlight.
If the candle has a lid, put it back on only once the wax has cooled completely.
Long exposure to heat or strong light can shift the shade of the wax slightly and can weaken the fragrance.
The essentials
- Trim the wick to about 5 mm before every lighting.
- On the first burn, let the wax melt almost to the edges of the container.
- Don't keep the candle lit for more than 3–4 hours at a stretch.
- Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Keep it away from children, pets and flammable materials.
- Don't move the container while the wax is liquid.
- Stop using it when about 1 cm of wax is left.
- Let the candle cool before lighting it again.
A candle looked after properly burns better, more evenly, and gives you more scented moments.
Every Dreya Candles candle is made by hand, with attention to detail, to turn simple gestures into something worth remembering. Choose the scent that feels like you, and make the kind of atmosphere at home you'll want to come back to.
Discover all the available scents in **our shop**.