Candle Care & Sizing Guide

How to get the best burn, scent, and lifespan from your candle

Candle care isn’t about rules — it’s about getting the experience you expected when you lit the wick.

Proper candle care helps improve scent throw, burn quality, and candle longevity. This guide covers our most important tips — including how to choose the right candle size for your space, how to burn it correctly, and how to care for it between uses.

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Why does candle size matter?

Candle size matters more than most people realize. A candle that’s too large for a space can feel overpowering, while one that’s too small won’t adequately fill the room with scent.

Many candle brands focus on offering the largest size possible, but we’ve always believed the right candle matters more than the biggest one. That’s why we intentionally offer multiple sizes — so you can choose what works best for your space and how you plan to use it.

What candle size should I use for my room?

Choosing the right candle size isn’t about rules — it’s about matching the candle to how and where you’ll actually use it. The goal is a balanced scent that fills the space comfortably, without overpowering it or falling flat.

As a general guide:

  • Small spaces (bathrooms, bedrooms, offices): 5–6 oz candles
  • Medium spaces (kitchens, dining rooms): 8–10 oz candles
  • Large open spaces (living rooms, open-concept areas): 14–16 oz candles

Using the correct size ensures a balanced scent throw without overwhelming the room.

Can a candle be too strong?

Yes — and it’s more common than most people realize. Larger candles are designed to scent larger spaces. In a smaller room, they can feel overpowering even if the fragrance itself is well-balanced.

When a candle feels too strong, people are more likely to extinguish it early. This often happens before the candle has had enough time to burn properly, which can lead to issues like uneven melting or tunneling over time.

Choosing the right candle size helps the scent stay comfortable and enjoyable — while also allowing the candle to burn the way it was designed to.


If you’re ever unsure which size is right, that’s okay — every home is different. Our goal is simply to help you choose a candle that feels right for your space and the way you plan to enjoy it.

The First Burn & Burn Time

How a candle is burned — especially the first time — plays a big role in how it performs over its lifetime. A few simple habits can help promote an even burn, consistent scent throw, and a longer-lasting candle.

Why the First Burn Matters

The first burn helps establish how the candle will melt in future uses. Allowing the wax to melt evenly across the surface early on helps prevent issues like tunneling and uneven burning later.

Once a full melt pool is reached on the first burn, we recommend continuing to burn the candle for approximately two additional hours before extinguishing the flame.

How Long Should I Burn My Candle?

As a general guideline, candles perform best when burned for 2–4 hours at a time. This allows the wax to melt evenly without overheating the container or diminishing fragrance quality.

Burning for very short periods can contribute to uneven wax melt over time, while excessively long burns can cause the candle to burn too hot.

Allowing Your Candle to Cool Between Burns

Allowing your candle to cool and fully solidify between burns helps maintain consistent performance. Letting the wax reset before relighting supports even melting and a steady flame.


Candle care doesn’t have to be complicated. A little extra attention during the first few burns goes a long way toward creating a better experience every time you light the wick.

Wick Trimming & Flame Care

Wick care plays a big role in how a candle burns. A properly trimmed wick helps maintain a steady flame, promotes even melting, and keeps the candle burning cleanly.

Should I Trim My Wick?

Yes. Before each burn, we recommend trimming the wick to approximately ¼ inch. This helps control flame height and reduces excess smoke or soot while allowing the candle to burn evenly.

What Happens If the Wick Isn’t Trimmed?

An untrimmed wick can cause the flame to burn too large, which may lead to smoking, uneven burning, or excessive heat. Over time, this can affect both performance and overall burn quality.

What Should the Flame Look Like?

A healthy candle flame should be steady and calm — not flickering wildly or producing visible smoke. If the flame seems too large, extinguish the candle, allow it to cool, trim the wick, and relight.
Keeping the wick centered as the candle cools can also help promote an even burn during future uses.

A quick wick trim takes just a moment, but it can make a noticeable difference in how your candle performs and how enjoyable it is to burn.

General Candle Safety & Best Practices

Candles are meant to be enjoyed, and a few basic safety habits help ensure a comfortable, worry-free experience. These best practices apply to all candles, regardless of size or scent.

Safe Burning Habits

• Always burn candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface
• Keep candles away from drafts, pets, and children
• Never leave a burning candle unattended
• Avoid moving a candle while the wax is hot or liquid

When Should I Stop Burning My Candle?

Discontinue use when approximately ½ inch of wax remains at the bottom of the container. Burning beyond this point can cause the container to overheat and may affect safety.

Placement & Airflow Matter

Drafts from fans, open windows, or vents can cause uneven burning and excessive flickering. Placing your candle in a calm, low-airflow area helps promote a steady flame and even wax melt.


With a little attention to placement and burn time, candles can be enjoyed safely and consistently. These small habits help protect both your candle and your space.

Storage & Preserving Scent

How a candle is stored between burns can affect both its appearance and fragrance over time. A few simple storage habits can help preserve scent and keep your candle looking and performing its best.

How Should I Store My Candle?

Candles should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Excessive heat can soften wax, while prolonged sunlight exposure may affect both appearance and fragrance.

Do Lids Help Preserve Scent?

Yes. Keeping a lid on candles when they’re not in use helps protect the wax from dust and can help preserve fragrance between burns.

Changes in Appearance Over Time

Natural waxes may develop subtle changes in texture or appearance over time, especially with temperature changes. These variations are normal and do not affect how the candle performs or smells when burned.


With thoughtful care and storage, your candle will continue to provide a comfortable, enjoyable experience each time you light it.

Understanding Common Candle Wax Types

Candles can be made from a variety of wax types, each with its own characteristics. The type of wax used affects how a candle burns, how it holds fragrance, and how it fits into a home environment. Understanding these differences can help you make informed choices.

Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax is a petroleum-based wax that has been widely used in candle making for decades. One of its most notable characteristics is its ability to carry and release fragrance very effectively, which is why it’s often associated with strong scent throw.

Because paraffin is derived from petroleum, some households prefer to avoid it — particularly in spaces shared with children or pets — and instead choose waxes made from renewable, plant-based sources.

Soy & Plant-Based Waxes

Plant-based waxes, such as soy wax, have become increasingly popular as candle making has evolved. While early versions of these waxes were sometimes associated with lighter scent throw, modern formulations paired with high-quality, non-toxic fragrance oils can offer scent performance that is comparable — and in many cases superior — to traditional paraffin candles.

In addition to fragrance performance, many people appreciate plant-based waxes for their clean-burning characteristics and use of renewable resources.

Wax Blends & Modern Formulations

Many small-batch makers use thoughtfully developed wax blends to balance scent throw, burn quality, and consistency. Advances in wax technology and fragrance formulation have made it possible to create candles that perform exceptionally well without relying on petroleum-based waxes.


Our wax choice is intentional. We focus on creating candles that perform well, burn cleanly, and feel comfortable to enjoy in real homes — without sacrificing fragrance quality or experience.

You may recognize some of these tips

Every Lake Effect candle ships with a care card that covers the basics.

This guide expands on those instructions to help you better understand why candle care and sizing matter — and how to get the best experience possible from your candle.