How Long Do Candles Last?

So, you’ve got your eye on an amazing candle set that you think will be the perfect addition to your home. However, you’re considering if it’s worth the cost, and some questions have popped up. How long will the candles last? What’s the typical burn time of a candle? Will the candles’ scents fade over time? Luckily, we’re here to answer all your burning candle queries (pun intended). So let’s get started!

How Long do Candles Last? 

The burn time of candles in a candle set tends to depend on a few factors. 

Wax Type

The type of wax your candle is made of can impact how long it burns. 

• Paraffin Wax – Paraffin is a synthetic form of wax used in many mass produced, run-of-the mill candles. It has a higher burn temperature, leading it to burn less quickly than candles made of vegetable and soy wax – however, and this a big caveat, paraffin wax often contains a variety of toxins and unknown additives that can be unhealthy to inhale over a long period of time. 

• Soy and Vegetable Wax – Soy and vegetable wax are non-toxic, natural alternatives to paraffin wax. Most often, you’ll find candles made of a combination of both soy and vegetable wax, as this helps to increase the burn time. These candles are often labeled as vegan as they contain no potential animal product additives. Soy and vegetable wax compounds tend to break down over time. If properly stored, these kinds of candles typically stay in good shape for a year or more. 

Wick Length

Wicks are small, braided strings of cotton that you light to burn a candle. Wick length can play a big factor in a candle’s burn time: the longer the wick, the quicker the candle will burn. Candle makers will typically recommend that you keep your candle wick length to ¼ of an inch. This ensures that your candle will burn properly, and for a longer amount of time. Trimming your candle’s wick also ensures that no mushrooming occurs: mushrooming is when the wick of a candle bends over into a mushroom cap shape after burning. This means the wick to candle ratio is off, and needs to be trimmed. 

Candle Size

Candle size is also a key factor in how long the candles in a candle set will last. Typically, candles that are under 12 ounces burn from four to seven hours per ounce of wax. So let’s say you have an 8.5 ounce candle: if properly cared for, it would likely have a total burn time of over 50 hours. Larger candles over 12 ounces tend to burn slightly longer, around five to eight hours per ounce of wax. For instance, if you had an extra large coffee table candle that’s around 50 ounces, it would likely have a total burn time of over 200 hours. That’s a whole lot of candle to burn!

Will a Candle’s Scent Fade Over Time? 

The longer you keep a candle, the more its scent will fade over time. Even when not being burned, candles are emitting fragrance molecules to the air by means of evaporation. With that, it’s good to burn your candles within a few months of getting them, so you get the best scent possible. The longer you wait to burn your candle, the more likely it is for the scent to weaken. 

How to Properly Care for a Candle

There are a number of things you can do to keep your candle in proper shape so it can last a good, long time. 

• Trim the Wick – As mentioned above, trimming the wick of any candle you own is important, as it heavily affects the length of its burn time. 

• Store Your Candles in a Cool, Dry, Dark Place – If you’re storing your candles for use at a later date, it’s important to store them in a cool, dry, dark place to ensure the wax stays in good condition, and undamaged by water or sun. This is especially important for any candles you may have that are dyed a different color, as sun exposure can degrade a candle’s color over time. 

• Be Conscious of Burn Time – While it might be tempting to burn a candle all day long, don’t! Limit your burn time to a max of 4 hours, and put it out after. Trim your wick to increase burn time longevity and reduce mushrooming. On top of this, be sure to light your candle in a safe space, free of flammable objects, and never leave it unattended. 

Getting a candle set is a great way to spruce up your home with a new scent. With that, it’s important to take care of your candles, so they can burn for longer and maintain their scent and color for as long as possible. What kind of candle scents are your favorite?