CANDLE CARE GUIDE How to burn, trim and make luxury candles last longer

Consider where you plan to place your candle, as it can affect the way it burns, especially if it is close to an open window or vent. When placed next to a draught, you may notice the flame leaning to one side or moving around more than usual, and over time that can affect the way the wax melts.

Also, before lighting the candle again, check that the wax is clear of any loose pieces of wick or other debris, as anything left near the wick or on top of the wax could affect the way the flame burns.

After burning a candle, the wick may be a little longer, or you may notice a darkened piece forming at the tip. You can fix this by trimming the wick once the candle has cooled. For candles inside long and narrow vessels, a wick trimmer can help you make a clean cut when the wick gets too low to reach.

While the National Candle Association recommends trimming the wick to one-quarter of an inch (0.635 centimetres) before every use, it's generally best to follow the individual candle's instructions, as the right length of the wick can depend on the type of wick being used.

The wax around the wick begins to melt first once it's been lit, which then slowly spreads further across the surface. This is known as the melt (wax) pool, and you will usually see it continue to widen the longer the candle burns.

But if only the wax around the wick is melting each time you use the candle, more wax can gradually be left around the sides of the vessel as the centre burns lower. This is what is known as tunnelling.

You can prevent this by allowing the candle enough time to burn more evenly. However, the burn limit on the label should still come first. If that time has been reached, you should still extinguish the candle even if the outer wax has not melted yet.

When you are ready to put the candle out, check the care instructions first, as some candles may recommend a particular method. You can gently blow out the flame, although a candle snuffer can make it easier to extinguish and avoid the possibility of any hot wax splashing.

As the wax will still be hot, leave the candle where it is until both the wax and vessel have cooled. Also, try to avoid moving the wick while the wax is still liquid, as that might move it away from the centre and change the way the candle burns later.

If you want to help your scented candle last longer:

• Let the wax melt evenly where possible, as this can help reduce tunnelling over repeated burns
• Maintain the wick according to the candle's instructions
• Remove any wick trimmings before lighting it again
• Keep the candle somewhere cool and away from direct sunlight
• Cover with the lid once the wax has fully cooled to help keep the surface free of dust and other debris

A cool, dry place is generally better for storing luxury candles, away from strong heat or direct sunlight, such as a sunny windowsill. Exposure to heat over time can affect the wax and may also change the fragrance.