How to Make Your Candles Last Longer: Best Practices from Poured New York

Candles are more than just a source of light—they’re a way to transform your space and your mood. At Poured New York, we want every candle to deliver maximum enjoyment from the first burn to the last flicker. Here’s how to make your candles last longer, so you can enjoy every moment.

Keep your wick trimmed to about 1/4 inch before each use. This helps prevent soot, keeps the flame steady, and ensures an even, efficient burn.

Always let your candle burn until the melted wax reaches the edges of the vessel—especially on the first burn. This prevents tunneling and helps your candle burn evenly all the way down.

Limit each burn session to 3–4 hours. Burning for too long can cause the vessel to overheat and the wick to shift, which shortens the candle’s lifespan.

Place your candle away from open windows, fans, or air vents. Drafts can cause uneven burning and flickering, wasting wax and fragrance.

Store your candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve their scent and color.

High-quality candles, like those from Poured New York, use clean-burning, non-toxic soy and coconut wax and premium fragrance oils—giving you a longer, safer burn every time.

Ready to put these tips to use?
Explore our Fall collection of hand-crafted candles and enjoy long-lasting, irresistible fragrances all year round.

Q: How do I prevent my candle from tunneling?
A: Always let the wax melt edge-to-edge on the first burn. This sets the “memory ring” for future burns.

Q: Why does my candle produce black smoke?
A: Usually, the wick is too long. Trim it to 1/4 inch before lighting.

Q: Are Poured New York candles non-toxic?
A: Yes! We use only soy and coconut wax with perfume-grade fragrance oils and upcyclable glass vessels.