Candle Care Center

Galleria Lucia’s complete candle care guide covers burning tips, safety, and extending candle life.

Candle Care: How to Make Your Candles Last Longer and Burn Safely

Introduction: Why Candle Care Matters

Candles are more than just sources of light - they’re symbols of atmosphere, self-care, and home décor. At Galleria Lucia, every candle is handcrafted in Berlin from eco-friendly soy wax and vegan stearin wax, designed not only to be beautiful but also sustainable. But even the most luxurious candle needs the right care to truly shine.

Whether you’ve chosen a sculptural body candle, a refillable Leveche jar candle, or our elegant taper candles, this candle care guide will help you enjoy them safely, extend their burn time, and keep their artistry intact.

Candle Care Basics for Every Candle

Before we dive into specific candle types, here are general rules for all candles:

  • Trim the wick to 5–6mm before each burn. A trimmed wick ensures a cleaner flame, prevents smoke, and reduces soot buildup.
  • Avoid direct heat, sunlight and drafts. Place your candle away from open windows, fans, or vents to ensure an even burn.
  • Use a stable, heat-resistant surface. Sculptural candles, in particular, can drip - always protect your surfaces.
  • Never burn to the bottom. Leave about 1 cm of wax at the base to prevent overheating glass containers or damaging holders.

Caring for Scented Jar Candles

Our Leveche Collection (reusable glass) and Crystal Candle Collection (refillable candles) are designed for both fragrance and reusability. Here’s how to care for them:

  • For the cotton wick candles, trim the wick to 5–6mm before each burn. A trimmed wick ensures a cleaner flame, prevents smoke, and reduces soot buildup.
  • First burn matters most: Allow the wax to melt fully across the surface - this prevents tunneling and maximizes scent throw.
  • Burn in sessions: 2–4 hours at a time is ideal for scented candles. This maintains fragrance quality and prevents overheating.
  • Keep the jar reusable: Once finished, clean the vessel with warm water and mild soap. Leveche jars are designed to double as cocktail glasses, while Crystal Candle vessels can be refilled.
  • Crystal care: If your candle contains a crystal, remove it gently with tweezers once it emerges, wash it, and keep it as part of your décor or self-care ritual.

Caring for Taper Candles

Our colorful hand-painted taper candles are a favorite for dining tables, ceremonies, and statement settings. They need slightly different care:

  • Trim the wick to 5–6mm before each burn. A trimmed wick ensures a cleaner flame, prevents smoke, and reduces soot buildup.
  • Always use a sturdy holder: Tapers must be secured in non-flammable candleholders that fit their base snugly.
  • Avoid drafts: These tall candles burn more evenly in still air.
  • Extinguish early: Don’t let them burn all the way down to the holder — leave about 1–2 cm of wax.
  • Store properly: Lay flat in a cool, dry place to prevent bending or warping.

Candle Safety Tips

  • Never leave a burning candle unattended.
  • Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
  • Burn in well-ventilated areas, but avoid strong drafts.
  • Do not move candles while burning or when the wax is liquid.

Common Candle Problems & Fixes

Why is my candle tunneling?

Tunneling occurs when the wax burns straight down without melting the sides. Prevent it by burning long enough on the first use (full melt pool). If it happens, use aluminum foil around the top edge to even it out.

Why is my candle smoking?

Likely from a wick that’s too long. Extinguish, trim to 5mm, and relight.

Why does my candle flame flicker?

Drafts or an untrimmed wick are the usual causes. Move your candle to a calm spot.

Eco-Friendly Candle Care

At Galleria Lucia, sustainability is at the heart of every design. Caring for your candles correctly also reduces waste:

  • Choose refillable jars instead of single-use.
  • Reuse vessels - Leveche glasses become drinking glasses, Crystal jars can be refilled.
  • Recycle responsibly - soy wax and stearin are biodegradable, and our packaging is fully recyclable.

Final Thoughts: Turn Candle Care Into Ritual

Candle care isn’t just about extending burn time - it’s about respecting the craftsmanship, sustainability, and artistry behind each piece. By following these simple practices, your eco-friendly soy candles, sculptural statement pieces, and luxury scented candles will stay beautiful, safe, and long-lasting.At Galleria Lucia, we believe every candle is more than wax and wick — it’s functional art that brings beauty, confidence, and atmosphere into your home.