There is something quietly special about lighting a hand-poured soy candle — the warm glow, the fragrance slowly filling the room, the moment that is entirely yours. But even the most beautifully crafted candle needs a little love to perform at its best. These candle care tips will help you get every last hour of joy from your Lisa & Alex soy candle.
Start Right: The Importance of Your First Burn
The very first time you light your candle is the most important burn it will ever have. Soy wax has a memory, which means it will follow the melt pattern established on that first burn every single time after. For our 300g soy candles, allow the melt pool to reach the full edge of the vessel before extinguishing — this typically takes around two to three hours. Skipping this step is the most common cause of tunnelling, where a narrow hole forms down the centre of the candle and all that beautiful wax goes to waste. Be patient on that first burn and your candle will reward you generously.
Candle Wick Trimming: A Small Step That Makes a Big Difference
Candle wick trimming is one of the simplest and most overlooked candle care habits. Before every single burn — including the very first — trim your wick to around 5mm. A wick that is too long will produce a larger, flickering flame that burns through your candle far too quickly, creates excess soot, and can cause uneven melting. We recommend a dedicated wick trimmer for a clean, precise cut, though small scissors work perfectly well too. You will notice an immediate difference: a steadier flame, a cleaner burn, and a fragrance throw that fills the room rather than disappears into the air.
Avoiding Tunnelling and Uneven Burning
If you have ever been left with a thick ring of unmelted wax hugging the sides of your candle, you have experienced tunnelling. Beyond that first burn rule, there are a few other habits worth keeping. Never burn your candle for more than four hours at a time — extended burns cause the wick to move or curl, which leads to uneven melting. Always burn your candle on a flat, heat-resistant surface away from draughts. Even a gentle breeze from an open window can push the flame to one side and cause your candle to burn unevenly. Our soy candles are hand-poured in Melbourne with care, and a little mindfulness on your end ensures that craftsmanship shines all the way to the last burn.
How to Store Your Soy Candle Properly
Soy wax is a natural material, which means it responds to its environment. Store your candle in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, as UV light and heat can cause the wax to soften, discolour, or lose its fragrance over time. If your candle comes with a lid — as many of our Lisa & Alex candles do — keep it on between burns to protect the wax surface and preserve the scent. Proper storage is especially important if you are tucking a candle away as a gift; you want it to arrive looking and smelling exactly as it should.
When to Stop Burning Your Candle
Knowing when to stop is just as important as knowing how to start. Always extinguish your candle when around 10mm of wax remains at the base. Burning below this level can cause the vessel to overheat, which is both a safety concern and hard on the glass or ceramic container. Once your candle has reached the end of its life, our reusable keepsake vessels are designed to be cleaned out and given a second purpose — as a succulent pot, a trinket holder, or a small vase. Simply pour boiling water into the vessel to loosen any remaining wax, wipe clean, and enjoy it all over again.
A Few Final Candle Care Tips to Keep in Mind
Always use a snuffer or gently blow out your candle rather than pressing the wick into the wax to extinguish it — doing so can cause the wick to lose its shape and make relighting difficult. Keep candles out of reach of children and pets, never leave a burning candle unattended, and always burn within sight. These small habits add up to a significantly longer, safer, and more enjoyable candle experience.
At Lisa & Alex, every candle begins with Lisa's original hand-painted artwork and is hand-poured using 100% pure natural soy wax right here in Melbourne. We put genuine care into every detail — from the eco-friendly wick to the FSC-certified packaging — and we hope these soy candle care tips help you get the very most from yours. Browse our full collection of artisan soy candles at lisaandalex.com.au and find the scent that feels like home.