How to Burn Soy Candles the Right Way
When the nights grow long and crisp, few things feel cozier than lighting a candle. The gentle flicker, the warm scent—it’s the essence of fall comfort.
As we head into National Fire Safety Week (Oct 6–12), it’s the perfect time to share a few reminders on how to burn your candles safely (and get the most out of every beautiful jar).
Whether you’re new to soy candles or a longtime Natura fan, here’s your guide to keeping your home glowing safely all season long.
1. Trim Your Wick — Every Single Time
Before lighting your candle, trim the wick to about ¼ inch.
Why it matters:
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Prevents excess flame height and soot buildup.
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Helps your candle burn evenly and last longer.
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Keeps glass jars from overheating.
💡 Pro Tip: Always use a wick trimmer rather than household scissors.
A proper trimmer catches the burnt wick debris before it falls back into your candle—keeping your wax clean and reducing fire risk.
Any leftover bits of wick or foreign material on the wax surface can reignite and act as a secondary flame source—which is why we never add decorative items (like dried flowers, glitter, or crystals) into our candles.
Clean wax means a safer, longer-lasting candle.
2. Let It Burn Long Enough (But Not Too Long)
The first burn is everything.
Allow your candle to burn long enough that the entire top layer of wax melts edge-to-edge before you blow it out—usually 2 to 4 hours depending on size.
This prevents “tunneling” (that deep hole down the middle).
After that, avoid burning longer than 4 hours at a time to maintain a stable flame and ensure your soy wax performs perfectly.
🕯️ Try this with our fall bestsellers like Pumpkin Ginger or Bohemian Woods for the perfect cozy burn.
3. Keep It Away from Drafts
Drafts might make the flame dance beautifully—but they also cause uneven burning and soot.
Keep your candle away from open windows, vents, and ceiling fans.
🌬️ Stable air = clean, even burn.
If you notice one side burning faster, rotate the candle occasionally while lit to help it self-level.
4. Always Use a Safe Surface
Place candles on heat-resistant, stable surfaces, far from curtains, dried flowers, and décor.
If you love that cozy aesthetic, think “intentional and safe.”
A simple ceramic plate or candle tray adds both protection and style.
5. Don’t Burn All the Way Down
Once your candle has about ½ inch of wax left, it’s time to say goodbye (or refill it 😉).
Continuing to burn below this point can cause the jar to overheat.
♻️ Eco Tip: Our Tumbler candle jars are refillable —so your jar’s story doesn’t end here.
6. Watch for Soot or Smoke
A clean-burning soy candle should have a gentle, steady flame.
If you see dark smoke or soot forming:
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Blow it out.
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Trim the wick.
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Relight once cooled.
Soot usually means the flame is too high or the wick needs attention.
If you prefer zero-flame options, try our Aroma Wax Melts or Aroma Mists—all the scent, no smoke.
7. Snuff—Don’t Blow
When it’s time to extinguish your candle, reach for a candle snuffer instead of blowing it out.
Here’s why:
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Blowing can push melted wax and soot particles into the air (or onto your walls).
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It often causes the wick to smolder, producing smoke that lingers in your space.
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A snuffer gently cuts off oxygen to the flame, extinguishing it cleanly without splatter or odor.
✨ Bonus: Using a snuffer keeps your wick centered and intact, so it’s easier to relight next time.
8. Never Leave a Candle Unattended
It sounds obvious, but it’s the golden rule.
Extinguish candles before leaving the room or heading to bed.
If you love fragrance in the background 24/7, swap to our Diffuser Oils or Room Spray for peace of mind.
A Note from Colleen
“I started Natura Soy nearly two decades ago because I wanted candles I could feel good about lighting around my family. We still pour each one by hand and test every scent to make sure it burns as clean and safely as possible. These little rituals of light matter—let’s keep them safe, cozy, and pure.”
— Colleen, Founder
Keep It Cozy, Keep It Safe
So go ahead—light that Pumpkin Ginger, Vanilla Bourbon, or Twilight Hallow, curl up with a blanket, and let your home glow.
With a few simple care steps, your soy candles will burn cleaner, brighter, and longer all season long.
🕯️ Life is short—burn the candle (safely).
👉 Explore the Fall Candle Collection 
