There’s nothing quite like the glow of a beautiful candle. That moment when you strike the match, the flame flickers, and the fragrance begins to swirl around the room… it’s magic. But if you’ve ever felt like your candle didn’t burn evenly, finished too quickly, or left wax wasted around the edges, then this blog is for you.
The truth is that a little candle care goes a long way. With the right tricks, you’ll enjoy longer burn times, better fragrance, and a safer, more luxurious experience - exactly how candles are meant to be.
1. Trim That Wick
Our candles come pre-trimmed to the perfect length for your very first burn - so you don’t need to worry about it straight out of the box.
But after that, trimming becomes the most important step in candle care. Once a wick has been burnt, it can develop a little “bobbly” mushroom tip. If you light it again without trimming, the flame will be bigger, smokier, and less controlled - and that affects how cleanly your candle burns.
Jo says: “I trim my candles before every single burn. Our wick trimmers nip that bobbly end off perfectly and you can easily pop into a bin - scissors can be a fiddly mess!”
A quick trim = a cleaner flame, a longer-lasting candle, and a much nicer burn.
2. The First Burn is the Most Important
We’ve all done it… you light a new candle, half an hour later the room smells divine, and you think: “I want this candle to last - I’ll blow it out early.” Don’t do it! This is where mistakes happen.
Blowing a candle out too soon can cause tunnelling (that wasted hole down the middle). With our soy candles, a proper 2–3 hour first burn hardly puts a dent in your wax because soy burns so much longer than paraffin.
For our 100-hour candles, the first burn needs to be a full 4 hours - they're long-lasting beauties, but they need that early commitment. Skimp on the first burn, and you risk ruining the whole candle.
Jo’s tip: think of it as the candle’s “investment burn.” Get it right once, and it’ll reward you every single time after.
3. Keep it Clean
Dust, matches, or bits of wick in your wax? No thanks! If anything falls in, scoop it out carefully before relighting. A clean candle not only looks gorgeous but also burns safely and evenly.
Jo’s tip: “I always keep a little tin, or even better, a cleaned-out candle jar, for wick trim bits and used matches. It keeps everything easy and neat. And a quick swipe with an alcohol wipe will sort out any black marks - easy, fast, and tidy.”
4. Mind the Burn Time
As tempting as it is to let your candle burn all evening, it’s best to keep each session to around 3 - 4 hours max. Longer than that, the wick can “mushroom,” soot may build up, and the container can overheat. This is when wicks can collapse too - so don’t be tempted to leave it.
Light it, love it, and then let it rest - your candle will thank you.
5. Location, Location, Location
Candles don’t like draughts. If your flame is flickering like mad, it’ll burn unevenly and release more soot. Place your candle somewhere calm and stable, away from open windows or busy doorways.
Jo’s tip: “I actually love lighting our Coffee candle and popping it on the cooker once the kitchen is cleaned up - it’s the perfect way to clear cooking smells and replace them with that gorgeous, fresh coffee aroma.”
6. Soy Wax is a Game Changer
At JoJo Co., we only use 100% soy wax - and once you’ve had soy, you can’t go back.
“Once you’ve had soy wax, you can’t go back. It’s so much better for you, burns longer, and transfers the scent luxuriously. It’s a game changer.” - Jo
Soy wax is natural, renewable, and cleaner than traditional paraffin. It burns slower, giving you more hours of fragrance for your money, and it releases scent beautifully into the room. Plus, it’s kinder to your home environment and better for the planet.
7. Stop Before the End (Sad but True)
Here’s the one that no one wants to hear: don’t burn your candle right down to the bottom. Always leave about 1cm of wax in the jar. This protects the container from overheating or cracking - and keeps things safe.
Jo’s tip: “If it really bothers you about that wee bit of wax being left, scrape it out and pop it into a wax burner. That way, nothing is wasted, and you still get every last drop of fragrance.”
And this is exactly where our candle bases become an absolute must. I love knowing my candle is safe on my nice surfaces and won’t be causing heat marks - plus they are locally handmade with Scottish Oak and are gorgeous!
8. Reuse, Recycle, Relove
Once your candle has finished, don’t throw away that beautiful jar! Soy wax is easy to clean out with warm soapy water. Then you’ve got yourself a lovely container for makeup brushes, pens, cotton pads, or even a mini plant pot. Sustainability never looked so chic.
9. The Emergency Gift Drawer
If you’ve mastered the art of candle care, you’ll always have a stock of perfectly-behaved candles at home. But here’s another pro tip: keep a few extras tucked away for gifting. Candles are the ultimate “just right” present - thoughtful, luxurious, and always appreciated.
Candle Care = Self Care
Taking a little extra time to care for your candles isn’t just about getting your money’s worth (though that’s a bonus!). It’s about creating rituals, slowing down, and enjoying the small luxuries that make home feel special.
So next time you light your JoJo Co. candle, remember these tips - trim the wick, let it pool, keep it calm, and enjoy every last luxurious moment. Because a well-cared-for candle doesn’t just last longer… it makes life that bit lovelier.
