Top 5 Candle Mistakes That Ruin the Burn (And How to Fix Them)

1. Skipping the Wick Trim

One of the most common candle mistakes is failing to trim the wick. Whether you’re using eco-friendly candles, soy wax candles, or handmade scented candles, you should always trim the wick from about 1/8" to 1/4” before each burn. This helps maintain a steady flame, prevents soot, and increases scent throw.

How to Fix a Bent Wick

Sometimes a cotton wick bends over and hardens into the wax, forming an upside-down horseshoe shape. This is a real problem with non toxic candles. Lighting the wrong end wastes the wick or floods the wax pool. Instead:

• Use a toothpick to dig gently around the wick, trying to determine which end is the tip of the wick, and try to lift it upright.
• If that fails, trim the top center of the upside-down horseshoe curve so both ends are shortened equally.
• Once upright, relight the tip of both trimmed wicks: one will burn out and the other should continue to burn normally.
• If the wick is too short, scoop out a small ring of wax to expose more of it--but be advised that if your wick is trimmed too short, you may not ever be able to light your candle without drowning the wick with melted wax as the wax pool develops.

Our 10 oz tin candles come pre-trimmed, so you’re ready to burn right out of the box.

2. Not Burning Long Enough

The first burn matters. If you don’t let the wax melt all the way to the container edge, it creates a tunnel that ruins the candle. This is one of the top candle mistakes people make. Burn your coconut soy candles for 2–3 hours the first time so the melt pool reaches all edges. This sets the “memory ring” and prevents tunneling.

Especially with strong scented candles, a deep wax pool about 1/4" to 1/2" means better scent throw. See our What Sets Us Apart page to understand how our clean burning candle formula prevents most of the issues addressed in this blog.

3. Burning in Drafty Spaces

Open windows and vents can wreak havoc on your flame. Drafts cause flickering, poor scent distribution, and uneven wax pooling. This is especially important when using decorative scented candles or black tin candles. Keep your burn area calm and controlled. Understandably, some homes have overhead fans and AC vents near candle stations. Just accept that in these environments, your flame, wax pool, and wick performance will be affected by any wind draft blowing on your lit candle. Avoid this mistake with any of our scented candles handmade for enclosed, relaxing environments. You’ll notice a stronger scent and a more complete burn every time.

4. Ignoring the Wick After Use

Wicks don’t always stay centered. After blowing out your candle, check the wick before it resets in wax. A crooked wick can lead to uneven burning. This is important for all glass candles, tin candles, lidded candles, or deep containers.

Wipe off carbon buildup, if any, inside your candle container with a paper towel before relighting. This step improves scent throw and keeps your scented candle fragrances clean and effective.

5. Burning to the Bottom

Stop burning when there’s ½ inch of wax left in your container. Burning further risks overheating the container, especially with tin candles or glass candles. Even though our jars are durable, this rule applies to all candles.

Smart Candle Habits That Pay Off

• Track and organize your scented candles' names by season or mood.
• Burn scented candles vanilla, or spice scented candles in bedrooms or small spaces for better throw.
• Use scented candles for relaxation after a long day, paired with soft lighting and low noise.
• Decorative scented candles still add value even when not lit—they’re part of your visual brand at home.
• Home decor with candles is about scent, light, and mood all in one.

At the Willis Candle Shop, all of our products are crafted using a signature coconut soy candle wax blend with fragrance oils. We never use essential oils, and our wicks are either wooden or zinc-free cotton wicks. Whether you’re burning a single jar or buying scented candles bulk, you’re supporting clean, thoughtful craftsmanship designed to elevate your space.

If you're looking to elevate your home even further, check out this guide on home accessories and bottles. It’s a great match for our minimal, curated candle styles.