Avoid These 4 Common Soy Wax Candle Mistakes

Mistake 1: Skipping Wick Trimming Before Each Burn

A common mistake, not trimming a candle wick before each burn, can cause excess soot and uneven burning.

The Risks of Over Burning Soy Wax Candles

If you don't trim your candle's wick, it may start to burn too long and too hot, leading the candle to burn unevenly. This can lead to a "tunnelling" effect, where the wax melts down the candle's centre, leaving a ring of unmelted wax around the edges. This wastes wax and reduces the candle's overall burn time.

A long wick can also cause your candle to produce more soot, creating a mess on your candle's container and filling the air with smoke.

Ideal Burn Time Recommendations

To ensure an even burn and prevent issues, trim your candle's wick to approximately (¼ inch) before each use. Burning the candle for 2-3 hours creates an even melt pool. Burning your candle for too long at one time can cause the wax to overheat and burn faster than it should.

Mistake 2: Not Allowing a Full Melt Pool on the First Burn

Many people make the mistake of burning a new candle briefly. This causes only the wax in the centre to melt. The mistake here is that the centre melt creates a memory effect, which can lead to uneven burning in future uses.

What is Candle “Memory” and Why Does It Matter?

Candle memory refers to how the wax behaves during its first burns. What happens if a candle doesn't melt to the edges on its first burn? The wax tends to tunnel every time it's lit after this initial burn. Tunnelling occurs because the wax only melts down to the level it melted on the first burn, creating a "memory" that repeats itself.

To avoid this common problem, allow the candle to burn for long enough that the entire wax surface melts, creating a complete melt pool. This can take 2-3 hours for a soy candle, depending on the size of the candle. Giving your candle an initial long burn ensures it burns evenly from the start, and you'll get more out of the wax as it melts consistently over time.

Examples of Best Scented Soy Wax Candles at L’SAUVE®

Owen Drew England is a luxury candle brand produced in Northwest England. Each product is made by hand using traditional methods to create lovely, high-quality products. All Owen Drew England candles are 100% natural vegan soy wax and are cruelty-free.

Owen Drew England Anglesey Luxury Candle:
This beautiful soy wax candle features notes of earthy and woody for a candle that has a mature, masculine fragrance.

Owen Drew England Blaise Luxury Candle:

This candle features crisp notes of bergamot and fresh apple, with notes of blackcurrant and oakmoss.

Common FAQs About Soy Wax Candles

Why Does My Soy Wax Candle Have Tunneling ?

Tunnelling happens when the wax melts only in the centre of the candle. This leaves a ring of un-melted wax around the edges. Tunnelling may occur if the candle isn't burned long enough during its first use or the wick isn't properly trimmed. Always burn your soy wax candle for at least 2-3 hours to prevent tunnelling.

How Can I Maximise the Fragrance Throw of My Soy Wax Candle?

Ensure your soy wax candle is placed in a well-ventilated area where the scent can naturally disperse. Also, keep the wick trimmed regularly and burn the candle for the right amount of time to help fragrance release evenly into your room.

Take a look at our candle care guide.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll enjoy your soy wax candles to their fullest potential. Happy candle burning!