Candle Care: How to Get the Most from Your Flora Lab Candle
Thank you so much for choosing a candle from The Flora Lab. Every candle we pour is made with care, passion, and purpose, and when you choose to buy from a small, sustainable business, you’re helping us make the world a little brighter (and more beautifully scented).
From the first spark of inspiration to the final pour, each candle is created with precision and love. We spend months designing fragrances, testing burn rates, and perfecting wax blends to ensure every Flora Lab candle burns beautifully.
Once it arrives with you, lovingly packaged in zero-waste, recyclable materials, you become its new caretaker.
Here are our expert candle care tips to make sure your candle burns cleanly, evenly, and lasts as long as possible.
Your First Burn Matters Most
Your first burn sets the tone for your candle’s entire life. Candles have what we call a memory burn, if you extinguish them too soon, they may tunnel and burn unevenly in the future.
To get it right:
Allow your candle to burn for at least 3–4 hours on the first use, until the melted wax reaches the edges of the jar.
For every burn after that, aim for around 2 hours.
Never leave your candle unattended, especially during longer burns.
💡 Pro tip:
A full melt pool ensures your candle burns evenly all the way down, giving you the best fragrance throw and value for money.
Trim Your Wick, Every Time
A well-trimmed wick is the secret to a long-lasting candle. Before each burn, trim your wick to around 5mm.
This helps:
Reduce smoke and soot.
Prevent mushrooming (that black carbon build-up).
Encourage a steady, even flame.
No wick trimmer? A small pair of scissors will do — though we highly recommend our Flora Lab Wick Trimmers.
Location, Location, Location
Where you place your candle matters. To keep your burn even and your flame steady:
Avoid drafty spots, open windows, or near vents.
Always set your candle on a flat, heat-resistant surface.
Keep it away from delicate materials and out of reach of children and pets.
A stable environment ensures your candle burns evenly, and safely.
If Your Candle Sweats…Don’t Panic
Because we use 100% natural, plant-based wax, you may occasionally notice small beads of oil or “sweat” on the candle surface. This is completely normal — it’s simply the fragrance oils adjusting to room temperature.
If this happens:
Gently blot the surface with a tissue.
Move the candle to a cooler, shaded area, away from direct sunlight or fireplaces.
It won’t affect performance, scent, or burn, it’s just a sign of natural ingredients doing their thing.
A Few More Candle Care Tips
✨ Always allow the wax to cool fully before moving your candle.
✨ Don’t burn your candle for more than 4 hours at a time.
✨ Stop burning when 10–15mm of wax remains to prevent jar overheating.
✨ Store your candles in a cool, dry place to preserve their fragrance.
Why Candle Care Matters
Taking a few simple steps to care for your candle ensures:
A cleaner, safer burn.
Stronger fragrance performance.
A longer lifespan for your favourite scents.
A little care makes a big difference, and your candle will thank you for it.
Need More Advice?
We love talking all things candles!
If you ever have a question about wick trimming, wax care, or scent pairing, get in touch — we’re always here to help.
With love and light,
Sophie & The Flora Lab Team ✨