How Do You Fix A Messed Up Candle?

Identify the Problem

Some common problems that can occur with candles include:

Sinking – This is when a section of the candle wax sinks down below the rim. It happens when the wax melts unevenly. According to the article on LifenReflection, sinking can be caused by water droplets landing in the melted wax or a wick that is too large.

Tunneling – This refers to a hole or tunnel that forms in the center of the candle wax as it burns. Per the Wax Poetic Candle Bar article, tunneling is often due to an improperly trimmed wick that triggers a hot and high flame. The flame melts the wax too quickly in the center but not at the edges.

Sooting – When black smoke builds up on the candle wax, wick, or holder, this is called sooting. Sooting can be the result of a poorly made wick or a wick that isn’t standing up straight in the melted wax pool, according to LifenReflection.

Cracked wax – Cracks in the surface of pillar candles or in the sides of container candles can form for reasons like cold temperatures or improper pouring temperatures during the candle making process. Cracked wax impacts the look and burn quality.

Trim the Wick

It’s important to trim your candle wick to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent issues like tunneling and sooting. According to this source, most candle manufacturers recommend trimming the wick to 1⁄4 inch for optimal performance.

Trimming the wick helps regulate the flame and prevents it from getting too large. This ensures your candle burns slower and more evenly. A long wick that isn’t trimmed can create excess smoke and soot. It can also cause the flame to get dangerously large.

Make sure to trim the wick every few hours as you burn the candle. Use sharp scissors or a wick trimmer tool specifically designed for candle wicking. Trim just above the melted wax, taking care not to trim the wick too short. Aim for 1⁄4 inch in length for best results.

Fix Sooting

Sooting is when black soot builds up on the candle jar and surrounding surfaces as the candle burns. This is often caused by an overlong wick that creates excess smoke and soot.

To prevent sooting, make sure to trim the wick to 1/4 inch before lighting. This ensures a proper burn without too much smoke. You should also trim the wick regularly as the candle burns down to maintain the proper 1/4 inch height.

If soot does build up, you can remove it by wiping the jar down with a damp paper towel or soft cloth while the wax is still warm. For tougher soot, allow the wax to cool completely and use a gentle soap and water solution. Take care not to wash the candle under running water or get the wick wet.

You can read more tips for preventing soot at [insert one of the provided sources here using a title tag]. Sooting may also indicate it’s time to replace the candle, as old or low quality wax can increase sooting.

Prevent Tunneling

Candle tunneling occurs when a candle’s wax melts inconsistently, leaving a hole or tunnel down the center as the wax on the edges stays cooler and doesn’t melt. Tunneling is caused by the edges of the candle cooling faster than the center as the flame burns. To prevent tunneling, ensure the candle burns evenly across the surface by:

Centering the wick – Wicks that are off-center can lead to uneven melting. Make sure to trim the wick and center it in the melted wax pool before each burn to promote an even melt (1).

Using a double wick – Adding a second wick on the opposite side can help melt the edges and prevent tunneling. Just make sure to space wicks 1-2 inches apart (2).

Pouring wax into the tunnel – Pour a small amount of leftover melted wax from another candle into the tunnel to fill it and allow it to melt evenly next time.

Moving the candle occasionally – Rotating the candle occasionally will help the edges warm up and prevent cooling on just one side.

Avoiding drafts – Tunneling happens more in drafty areas, so avoid placing candles near vents, windows, doors, etc.

Sources:

(1) https://armatagecandlecompany.com/blog/tunneling-in-candles/

(2) https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/candle-tunneling/

Fix Sinking

One common problem with candles is when the wax in the center sinks down, creating a hole or sinkhole. This happens because the flame is too hot, melting the wax faster than the cooler wax around the edges. There are a few ways to fix a sinking candle:

First, trim the wick so the flame isn’t as high. Long wicks create bigger flames that generate more heat. Clip the wick down to 1⁄4 inch to reduce the flame size. You can also try moving the wick to the edge of the container so the flame isn’t directly hitting the center. The heat will be more distributed.

To repair a sinkhole, hold a blow dryer or heat gun 3-4 inches above the candle to gently re-melt the top layer of wax. Pour a small amount of melted wax from the top to fill the hole. Let the candle fully cool and test burn – if it still sinks, trim the wick more. Be patient and re-melt and add wax as needed. The key is a lower wick and flame.

With a lower flame, the wax will melt slower and pool evenly across the top as you burn, preventing future sinkholes. Don’t burn the candle for more than 4 hours at a time to avoid overheating the wax.

Repair Cracked Wax

If your candle develops cracks or crevices in the wax, there are a few easy ways to smooth them out again:

Use a heat gun or blow dryer on the warm or low setting to gently warm the cracked areas of the candle. The warmth will soften the wax so the cracks smooth out. Just don’t hold it too close or use too high of heat, as you don’t want to melt the candle. Source

You can also try dipping the bottom of the candle with cracks into a bowl of warm water for a few seconds. This will gently warm the wax to fill in the cracks. Again, don’t leave it too long or the whole candle could become misshapen.

Using this gentle heat method, you should be able to smooth most cosmetic cracks and crevices to make the candle look fixed. Just be patient and careful not to overdo the heat application when repairing cracked candle wax.

Reuse Old Candle Wax

If you have leftover candle wax after your candle has burned down, don’t throw it away! You can reuse old wax to make new candles or wax melts. According to The Spruce, start by melting and straining the wax. To melt, place the old wax in a metal pitcher or can and set it in a pot of simmering water until fully melted. Then strain through a coffee filter or cheesecloth to remove any wick pieces or debris.

Once you’ve melted and strained the wax, you have a few options. The simplest is to pour the wax into molds to make new candles. You can reuse old candle jars, or buy new votive or tea light molds. If reusing jars, make sure to wipe them clean before pouring in the wax. For inspiration, see Parachute Home’s guide. You can also add crayon shavings or essential oils to scent the wax.

Another idea is to pour the wax into silicone molds to make wax melts. These are great for use in wax warmers. Just drop a melt into the warmer and enjoy the scent as it heats up. Reusing old candle wax cuts down on waste and lets you get more use out of beloved scents.

Make Your Candle Last Longer

There are a few simple tricks you can use to extend the life of your candle and make it last as long as possible:

First, be sure to trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent excess sooting and tunneling. Trim the wick each time before lighting throughout the candle’s life (source).

When lighting a new candle, allow it to burn for at least 1 hour per inch of the candle’s diameter. This helps the wax to melt evenly and prevents tunneling (source).

Avoid burning the candle for more than 4 hours at a time, trim the wick between burns, and make sure the wax pool reaches the edges of the container. This will help the candle burn slowly and evenly.

Place the candle in a location free from drafts which can cause uneven burning and dripping. Burn on a heat-safe surface away from flammable materials.

With some simple care, you can extend the life of a candle and enjoy it for as long as possible.

When to Throw Out a Candle

There comes a point when it’s time to retire a candle that’s past its prime. According to Reddit users, some signs it’s time to throw out a candle include:

• Excessive soot buildup that makes the candle appear very dirty
• Severe tunneling where the wax only melts in the center
• The candle has lost its scent entirely or smells burnt

If the candle is covered in black soot or the wick is drowning in melted wax, it likely won’t burn properly anymore. Severe tunneling also makes the candle difficult to light evenly. And if a candle has lost its fragrance, its aromatherapy benefits have diminished.

According to Reddit users, it’s best to retire a candle when the wax level is about 1-2 inches deep. At that point, the candle may start to overheat or become impossible to burn. Throwing it out once it’s near the bottom prevents potential fire hazards.

Safety Tips

When burning candles, it’s important to keep safety in mind to prevent fires or other accidents. Here are some key tips:

Keep candles away from anything flammable. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends keeping candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn, like curtains or furniture. According to the NFPA, “More than half of home decoration fires are started by candles.” So keep them on a sturdy, uncluttered surface away from tablecloths and other fabrics.

Never leave a burning candle unattended. Blow out candles before leaving a room or going to sleep. Per the NFPA, two of every five home candle fires occur between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am, so it’s especially important to extinguish candles at night. Don’t take chances by leaving a burning candle unsupervised.

Check the NFPA’s candle safety tips for more recommendations on preventing fires and staying safe.