You’ve lit your candle, settled in, and then, pfft. The flame is gone. Few things are more frustrating than constantly relighting a candle that refuses to cooperate. The good news is that there are some simple reasons this happens and even simpler ways to fix it.
Common Reasons a Candle Won’t Stay Lit
- The Wick Is Too Short: If your wick is trimmed too far down, the flame won’t have enough fuel to stay alive.
- Clogged Wick: When debris or excess wax clogs the wick, airflow is restricted and the flame smothers itself.
- Drafty Environment: Candles don’t like wind tunnels. Even mild air currents can push a flame out.
- Drowned Wick: If melted wax pools too high around the wick, the flame struggles to breathe.
How to Fix a Wick That Keeps Going Out
- Gently Remove Wax Build-Up: Use a spoon or cotton swab to scoop away excess wax around the wick.
- Unclog the Wick: Lightly scrape or pinch away charred bits so the wick can burn clean.
- Relocate Your Candle: Move it to a spot away from vents, fans, or open windows.
- Check Wick Length: Aim for a wick about ¼ inch long. Too short and it drowns, too long and it smokes.
Best Practices for Future Burns
- Always trim your wick to ¼ inch before lighting.
- Allow the candle to burn until a full wax pool forms across the top (especially on the first burn).
- Avoid burning in drafty spaces.
- Store candles in a cool, dry place so the wax and wick stay in good shape.
The LaMoon Difference
LaMoon Candle’s hand-poured soy candles are crafted for clean, consistent burns, but every candle benefits from a little care. By following these steps, your candles will shine longer and stronger.
Our candle care guide has everything you need to enjoy longer burns, plus explore our Mini Luminary Soy Wax Candle Sampler Flight for a fresh variety of favorites delivered to your door.
