Why Is My Candle Dripping Wax?

Table of Contents

What is candle wax?

Candle wax refers to the material that makes up the solid fuel of a candle. The most common types of wax used in candle making include paraffin, soy wax, beeswax, coconut wax, palm wax, and gel wax. Each type of wax has its own unique properties and characteristics.

Paraffin wax is a petroleum-based wax made from refined petroleum. It has a high melting point between 125-160°F which allows it to retain its shape at room temperature. Paraffin burns cleanly and is inexpensive, making it one of the most popular candle waxes. However, some find the scent unpleasant and prefer natural waxes [1].

Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honey bees. It has a pleasant honey-like scent when burned. Beeswax has a lower melting point of 143-170°F so it can be prone to melting in warmer environments. It produces a brighter flame and less soot than paraffin [2].

The main role of wax in candle making is to act as the fuel source. The wax melts from the heat of the flame, then travels up the wick via capillary action to fuel the flame. Different waxes allow for different melting points, burn times, fragrances, and visual effects in candles.

Why does wax melt?

Candle wax melts because it is designed to liquefy at temperatures slightly above room temperature. Most candle waxes have a melting point between 120-150 degrees Fahrenheit (49-65 degrees Celsius) [1]. This allows the wax to be solid when not lit, for easy handling and shaping of the candle. But once lit, the flame generates heat of over 1300 degrees F, which melts the top layer of wax around the wick. This molten wax then gets drawn up the wick via capillary action and vaporized by the flame to release aroma and light. The wax continues melting just above the flame as heat radiates down through the candle. This wax pooling is essential for even burning. But if the wax melts too quickly or the flame isn’t consuming the wax, it can drip down the sides. Proper wick size helps control the melt rate.

Wick Design and Wax Pooling

The width of the wick impacts how hot the flame burns and how quickly the wax melts.¹ A wider wick creates a larger, hotter flame that melts wax more rapidly. As the wax melts, it forms a liquid pool around the wick. This wax pool creates more surface area for the heat of the flame to melt more wax. The shape and width of the candle container also influences how big the wax pool becomes. Wider containers allow for a larger wax pool versus narrower containers.

Issues causing excess wax dripping

One of the main culprits behind excess wax dripping is having a wick that is too wide for the particular wax being used in the candle. Larger wicks create bigger flames, generating more heat that melts wax faster than it can pool properly at the top. Switching to a narrower wick suitable for that wax type can help prevent excess dripping.

Allowing a candle to burn too long without trimming the wick can also lead to dripping. As the wick burns down, it should be trimmed to maintain the proper flame size. Otherwise, a longer wick creates a larger flame and more wax melting. Regularly trimming the wick to 1⁄4 inch as the candle is used will help manage wax pooling and dripping.

Environmental factors like drafts or low humidity levels can also contribute to uneven wax melting and dripping. Drafts blow the flame around, melting wax unevenly so it drips down the sides. Maintaining adequate humidity and shielding candles from drafts creates a better burn environment. Placing candles away from frequently opened doors or windows can help.

Finally, putting a candle too close to a heat source like a radiator or fireplace can lead to excess wax melting and dripping. Candles should be kept at least 1 foot from any direct heat source so the entire candle can melt wax evenly, rather than just one side.

Preventing Excess Wax Drips

There are several ways you can prevent excess wax from dripping down candles:

Use the properly sized wick for your candle. Thicker candle wicks tend to burn hotter and faster, creating more melted wax that can drip down the sides. Choose a wick suited for your candle’s diameter and wax type.
Trim the wick regularly as you burn the candle. This helps control the flame size and prevent it from getting too large and hot. Use wick trimmers to neatly trim wicks to 1⁄4” before each use.
Always burn candles in a holder designed to catch drips and wax debris. Taper, pillar, and votive candles should be placed in a holder that is stable and has a dish or basin below the candle to collect drips.
Avoid exposing the candle to drafts while burning, as this can cause the flame to flicker and wax to melt unevenly. Keep candles away from frequently opened doors, vents, windows, or fans for best results.
Only burn the candle for 1-2 hours at a time and keep burn times shorter. Long or continuous burning sessions can cause the wax pool to get too hot and liquid, increasing wax dripping.

Safely cleaning up wax drips

Before attempting to clean up any wax drips or spills, it’s important to let the wax fully harden and solidify first. This prevents the wax from smearing and spreading onto other surfaces. Once hardened, use a plastic scraper or old gift card to gently peel off the wax in chunks from hard surfaces like glass, metal, or finished wood ^[1]. Take care not to scratch any delicate surfaces while scraping. For fabric surfaces, wait for the wax to harden and then place paper towels or rags over the dried wax spot and gently iron over it – the heat will liquify the wax again and allow it to soak into the paper ^[2]. Once the wax is absorbed into the paper towel, switch to a clean section and repeat until no more wax transfers. This method effectively removes wax from fabric without damaging the material underneath.

When to Trim the Wick

Trimming the wick is one of the best ways to prevent excess wax dripping. Here are some tips on when it’s time for a trim:

Signs the wick is too long:

The flame is very tall, dancing and flickering a lot
The wax pool has a deep tunnel shape
There is black smoke coming from the candle
Lots of melted wax is dripping down the sides

In general, the wick should be trimmed every 2-4 hours of burn time. For candles used frequently, trim the wick before each lighting. This helps prevent the wick from becoming too long.

The ideal wick length is about 1⁄4 inch. Trimming to around 1⁄4 inch will give the proper sized flame in most candles. Just use nail clippers or scissors to snip off the charred blackened part of the wick.

Proper candle placement

Proper candle placement is crucial to prevent excess wax dripping. Drafts, heat sources, and lack of airflow can all contribute to uneven burning and wax pooling.

Make sure to place candles away from drafts caused by windows, vents, fans, and air conditioning. Drafts blow the flame and wax pool in one direction, causing uneven melting (source).

Position candles at least 1 foot away from heat sources like radiators, fireplaces, stoves, and other candles. The extra heat can accelerate melting and lead to dripping (source).

Always place candles on a flat, heat-resistant surface. Glass, stone, and metal surfaces work well. Avoid surfaces like wood that can scorch or catch fire if wax drips down.

Allow space around candles for airflow. Crowding candles together impedes airflow and causes uneven burning (source).

Alternatives to Wax Candles

While traditional wax candles are popular, there are some alternatives that provide their own benefits and drawbacks. Three main options are beeswax, soy, and gel candles.

Beeswax Candles

Beeswax candles are made from bee honeycomb. Some pros of beeswax candles include:

Natural material from bee hives
Burn longer than soy and paraffin
Emit negative ions when burned which can purify air
Produce brighter flame than soy

Some cons of beeswax candles are:

More expensive than paraffin and soy
Can produce more smoke and require more ventilation
May produce honey-like scent which some find unpleasant

Soy Candles

Soy candles are made from soybean wax. Some pros of soy candles include:

Renewable and biodegradable material
Burn longer and cooler than paraffin
Produce less soot

Some cons of soy candles are:

Don’t retain scent as well as paraffin
Produce a dimmer flame
May produce frosting on the glass as they burn

Gel Candles

Gel candles use a mineral oil gel base. Some pros of gel candles include:

Produce vibrant colors and clarity
Release fragrance efficiently
Don’t produce smoke or wax pooling

Some cons of gel candles are:

Made from petroleum-based mineral oil
Higher risk of flash point fire
Gels can separate and harden over time

When to stop using a dripping candle

If the wax pool is getting too deep, it’s a sign to stop burning the candle. According to Archipelago, the wax pool should be no deeper than 1/4 inch. If the wax pool exceeds this depth, it can lead to glass cracking from excessive heat buildup at the bottom. The glass can also become too hot to handle safely.

Additionally, if there is significant wax dripping down the sides and collecting on the candle holder or table surface, this indicates too much wax is melting at once. Letting wax buildup continue is a fire hazard, as the pooling wax can ignite. It also makes a mess that is difficult to clean.

As soon as you notice these signs of overheating and excessive wax pooling, it’s time to stop burning a dripping candle. Trim the wick, clean up extra wax, and allow the candle to fully cool and solidify again before attempting to relight it. Consider using a candle warmer instead to avoid further issues with dripping and overheating.