Candle Care

At Clean Fire, we believe lighting a candle should feel like a small ritual — a moment to slow down and romanticize your everyday life. To help your candle burn beautifully and safely, please follow these simple care instructions.

First Burn (Most Important Step)

For the best performance, especially with our wooden wicks, your first burn is crucial.

  • Burn your candle for at least 2–3 hours on the first use.
  • Allow the wax to melt all the way to the edges of the jar. This helps prevent tunneling and ensures an even burn for the life of the candle.
  • Never burn your candle for more than 4 hours at a time.

Trimming Your Wooden Wick

Wooden wicks require a little extra care to burn cleanly and brightly.

  • Before each burn, trim the wick to about 1/8 inch (roughly the width of a match head).
  • Remove any charred wood or debris from the previous burn.

  • A properly trimmed wick helps prevent soot, flickering, and weak flames.

  • A properly trimmed wick helps prevent soot, flickering, and weak flames.

Burn Time & Safety

  • Always burn your candle on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
  • Keep the candle away from drafts, fans, and flammable materials.
  • Never leave a burning candle unattended.
  • Keep out of reach of children and pets.
  • Do not burn your candle all the way down. Stop burning when approximately ½ inch of wax remains at the bottom of the jar.

Preventing Tunneling

Tunneling happens when the wax melts unevenly and leaves hard wax along the sides of the jar. To avoid this:

  • Always burn long enough for the wax to reach the edges during the first few burns.
  • Avoid short burns (less than 1–2 hours).
  • Trim your wick before every use.

Extinguishing Your Candle

  • Use a wick snuffer or gently blow out the flame to avoid splattering wax.
  • Allow the wax to cool and solidify before moving or storing your candle.

Storage Tips

  • Store your candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
  • Avoid storing candles for long periods before burning them. For the best experience, we recommend burning your candles within one year of purchase.

If Something Goes Wrong

We stand behind the quality of our candles. If your candle has a defect (such as a wick that won’t stay lit, excessive tunneling, or a sinkhole), please reach out to us within 14 days of receiving your order.

Email us at cleanfirecandles@gmail.com with photos or a short video of the issue, along with your order number. We’ll be happy to help replace it or offer store credit.

Please note: With coconut and beeswax candles + nontoxic oils, the scent throw can be slightly less strong than traditional candles. We consider this a unique and positive aspect of burning something you can feel good about, as the scent lightly fills the room instead of overpowering it.