How to Care for Hand-Poured Candles: Burn, Trim, Store, Repeat
Your luxury candle deserves care to perform beautifully every time. Learn the professional tips candle makers use to get the cleanest burn, longest life, and richest scent from every hand-poured candle — especially Sachii’s coconut wax collection.
Let your candle form a full melt pool on first burn.
Keep wicks trimmed to 5mm for safety and clean burning.
Avoid drafts and overburning.
Store candles away from sunlight and heat.
Why candle care matters
Proper care isn’t just about safety — it enhances scent throw, burn time, and appearance. Neglecting candle maintenance leads to wasted wax, poor fragrance, and sooting. Luxury candles, especially hand-poured ones, need a little attention to perform their best.
Benefits of good candle care:
Cleaner, more even burns.
Longer candle life.
Enhanced scent performance.
Safer and more enjoyable experience.
The first burn: setting the memory
The first time you light your candle, let it burn until the melted wax reaches the edges of the vessel. This sets the wax memory, preventing tunnelling and uneven burns later.
Pro tip: For large candles like Sachii’s Gatsby, allow 3–4 hours on the first burn.
Trimming the wick
A short wick keeps the flame stable and smoke-free. Always trim your wick to 5mm before lighting to prevent mushrooming and soot build-up.
Tools: Use a wick trimmer or clean scissors.
Frequency: Every time before lighting.
Avoiding tunnelling and soot
If your candle only melts down the middle, it’s tunnelling. Always let the wax pool fully and keep the wick centred. Avoid placing candles near air vents or drafts to reduce uneven burning.
Quick fixes:
Use foil to reflect heat evenly if tunnelling occurs.
Trim wick and re-centre after each burn.
Candle storage and lifespan
Store candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve fragrance integrity. Coconut wax has natural oils that can fade or discolour with excessive heat exposure.
Storage checklist:
Keep in box or dust cover when not in use.
Avoid humidity and UV exposure.
Do not freeze or refrigerate.
Safety and environment tips
Luxury candles are clean-burning when cared for properly — but always practice safe use.
Do:
Place on heat-resistant surfaces.
Keep away from children and pets.
Extinguish with a snuffer, not by blowing.
Don’t:
Burn for more than 4 hours.
Leave unattended.
Move while burning.
FAQs
Why does my candle tunnel?
It didn’t burn long enough on the first use. Always let the wax pool reach the edges.
How often should I trim my wick?
Every burn — ideally to 5mm for clean performance.
Can I reuse or refill luxury candle jars?
Yes — Sachii’s vessels are designed for refills, reducing waste and cost.
