Beeswax candles are easy to look after. A few small habits will give you a longer, steadier burn and keep sculptural shapes looking their best.
1. Always use a candle plate
Most beeswax candles are free-standing and are not made to burn inside a container. Stand pillars and votives and sculptural candles on a candle plate or heat-resistant holder to catch any drips.
2. Trim the wick before each lighting
Keep the wick to about 5mm. A long wick makes a tall, flickering flame that burns through wax too fast and can cause smoke and dripping.
3. Give the first burn time
On a pillar, let the first burn run long enough for the melted pool to spread close to the edge. This helps the candle burn evenly instead of tunnelling.
How to fix tunnelling
If the wick has sunk into a narrow tunnel, wrap a strip of foil around the top of the candle, leaving an opening over the wick, and let it burn for a while. The foil reflects heat back onto the wall of wax so it melts level again.
4. Keep away from draughts
Open windows, fans and air-conditioning make a flame lean and drip. A still spot gives the cleanest burn.
5. Polish away bloom
Pure beeswax can develop a pale, powdery film called bloom. It is natural and harmless, and a sign of real beeswax. Wipe it away with a soft, dry cloth, or warm it gently with a hairdryer to bring back the shine.
6. Store them cool and flat
Keep unlit candles out of direct sun and away from heat, which matters in an Australian summer. Store tapers lying flat so they stay straight.
And always: never leave a lit candle unattended. For burn times by size, read how long beeswax candles burn, or see our FAQ.