Candle Care

Light wisely. Burn beautifully.

At Smells Like Books, every candle is made to feel like a story — warm, immersive, and memorable. To help you get the most out of your reading ritual (and keep your home safe and soot-free), here are a few tips for caring for your candles:

🕯️ First Burn = Most Important
The first time you light your candle, let it burn until the melted wax reaches the edges of the jar (usually 2–3 hours). This helps prevent tunneling and ensures an even burn for the life of the candle.

✂️ Trim Your Wick
Before each use, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch. This keeps the flame controlled, reduces smoke, and prevents mushrooming (those little carbon balls that form at the tip).

📚 Where to Burn
Always place your candle on a heat-safe, stable surface

Keep away from drafts, flammable objects, pets, curtains, and curious little hands

Never burn a candle for more than 4 hours at a time

Let it cool completely before relighting or moving

❌ When It’s Time to Say Goodbye
Once about 1/2 inch of wax remains at the bottom, it’s time to retire your candle. Burning past this point can overheat the jar and become unsafe.

♻️ Reuse the Jar
Our candle jars are perfect for repurposing — use them for pens, plant cuttings, or secret stashes of bookish treasures. Just clean out leftover wax with warm water and soap once the jar has cooled.

🔥 Never Leave a Candle Unattended
We know you know this, but we have to say it anyway: never leave a burning candle unattended. If you’re headed off to bed (or getting lost in a book and might forget), blow it out first.

Candles should be cozy, not risky. If you ever have questions about how to burn, store, or care for your candle, feel free to reach out — we’re always happy to help.

Now go ahead. Light a chapter. Let the story begin. 📖✨