What are the best ways to make candles last longer? Our guide outlines several ways to do this, and special tricks for candles in glass.
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Is there ANYTHING that is anywhere near as cozy as the soft flickering candlelight? Especially in winter there is simply nothing better than a dimly lit room that, with its warm light, creates an atmospheric contrast to the icy, snow-covered landscape in front of the window (or to sleet, depending on the residential area).
And of course, especially in the Advent and Christmas season, our candle consumption increases again strongly. But, once you’re used to the candlelight on dark days, it quickly becomes clear: Unfortunately, candles burn down too quickly. Fortunately, there is a simple trick that will make your candles last twice as long.
Cold storage to make candles last longer
You can keep candles in the freezer or refirgierator to make them last longer, because the colder wax is harder and takes often twice as long to melt.
Trim the wick
No more thick wax edges and half-burned candles. Shorten the wick to about three millimeters before lighting. As a result, the wax burns more slowly and evenly and soot formation can be prevented. The cutting of the black bulb at the end of the wick ensures that carbon is removed, which would otherwise cause the candle to heat up and burn more quickly.
Salt the wax
You sprinkle the already burning candle with salt. After it burns a little and a puddle of wax has formed around the wick, just sprinkle commercially available salt into it. Because the salt binds the wax, this measure significantly increases the burning time of your candle.
How to make candles last longer in glass
We love candles in glasses . They look great, can smell and create a cozy atmosphere at home in winter. Compared to candlesticks, they are less dangerous and can easily burn. But it is annoying when half of the wax sticks to the edge of the glass. However, the problem can be easily solved with a one-second trick.
Prevent one-sided wax edge
Avoid placing your candle in a drafty place. As a result, the flame is moved in only one direction, which leads to soot formation on the glass and an unsightly, one-sided wax rim.
Extinguish the candle correctly
When extinguishing the flame, you should note that the candle in the glass is carefully blown out to avoid wax splashes. If it is done with an extinguishing lid, wait until the smoke has subsided, this will prevent the wax from getting an ashy smell.
Candle ‘tunnel’
If the candle has burned down to the stage where you have a ‘tunnel’ — a deep hole in the middle of the top — that stops it burning properly, you still have a couple of options. You can take a sharp knife, heat it and then neatly cut the tunnel off to be level again (but be careful not to cut the wick too small as you do it). Or if the candle is big enough and the hole deep enough, just place a tealight or votive candle in the hole and light it. Nobody will notice that it’s not the outside candle that is lit!
How to make an emergency candle
- Butter: Sounds strange, but you can make a great emergency candle from a block of butter. As a wick, take a twisted piece of toilet paper that you put deep into the butter (tip: make a hole in the butter beforehand with a toothpick). If you light the toilet paper wick now, it will burn on the butter like a normal candle!
- Apple’s candle: No, it’s not a candle app: You can also make a completely edible candle from a piece of apple. As a wick, you can use a hazelnut sliver – the fat content makes it flammable and does its job. If you spontaneously put your “candle” in your mouth and eat it, you will be THE topic of your Christmas party years later!
- Canned candle: Do you have a can of tuna in oil in the house? If you prick a hole up there and insert a piece of parcel tape as a wick, you have built a small oil lamp in no time – also a good replacement for a missing candle.
