Care & Guidance
How to care for
your candle
A little attention goes a long way. Follow these simple steps to get the most from your Goldbloom candle — a longer burn, a fuller scent, and a safer flame.
First Burn is Everything
The first time you light your candle, allow it to burn until the entire surface has melted into a full wax pool — this usually takes 2–3 hours. This prevents "tunnelling" (where wax builds up around the wick) and ensures an even burn for the life of the candle.
Trim Your Wick
Before every burn, trim the wick to 5mm (about ¼ inch). A long wick causes the flame to flicker, smoke, and burn unevenly. Use a wick trimmer or small scissors — and always trim before the wax has cooled completely.
Burn Time Limits
Never burn your candle for more than 4 hours at a time. Extended burns cause the wick to "mushroom" and the wax to overheat, which can affect the scent throw and shorten the candle's life. Let it cool for at least 2 hours before relighting.
Keep It Safe
Always burn candles on a heat-resistant surface, away from drafts, curtains, and flammable materials. Never leave a burning candle unattended, and keep out of reach of children and pets. Extinguish if the flame becomes too large or flickers repeatedly.
Protect the Wax
Keep your candle away from direct sunlight and fluorescent lighting — UV rays can fade the colour and affect the fragrance over time. Store in a cool, dry place with the lid on when not in use to preserve the scent.
Repurpose the Vessel
Once your candle has about 1cm of wax remaining, it's time to retire it — burning below this level can overheat the glass. To clean the jar, pour boiling water in and let the remaining wax float to the top. Once cool, remove the wax and wash with warm soapy water. The vessel makes a beautiful vase, storage jar, or planter.
Quick reference
5mm
Wick length
before every burn
4 hrs
Max burn time
per session
2–3 hrs
First burn
for a full melt pool
Questions
Frequently asked
How long will my Goldbloom candle burn?
Burn times vary by size. Our standard 250g soy candles burn for approximately 45–55 hours, and our 400g candles burn for 70–80 hours. These are estimates — proper care (trimming the wick, avoiding drafts) will help you get the most from your candle.
Why does my soy candle look frosted or bumpy on top?
Frosting and rough tops are completely natural characteristics of 100% soy wax — they're a sign your candle is made with natural ingredients, not synthetic paraffin. It has no effect on burn quality or scent throw. We think of it as the candle's fingerprint.
My candle has a faint scent — is something wrong?
Soy wax has a gentler cold throw (scent when unlit) than paraffin. Once lit, the fragrance will bloom beautifully. If the scent seems weak when burning, check that the wick is trimmed to 5mm and that the candle is burning in a reasonably enclosed space.
Can I use the candle jar after it's finished?
Absolutely — we design our vessels to be kept. Clean out remaining wax with boiling water, wash with warm soapy water, and the jar is ready to use as a vase, pen holder, bathroom storage, or planter. We love seeing how our customers repurpose them.
Why is there a white film on the top of my candle?
This is called "bloom" or "frosting" — a natural process where soy wax recrystallises over time. It's completely harmless and doesn't affect performance. A gentle wipe with a soft cloth will remove it if you prefer a smooth surface.
How should I store candles I'm not using yet?
Store candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Keep the lid on to protect the fragrance. Soy candles are best used within 12 months of purchase for optimal scent throw.
Ready to find your scent?
Browse our full collection of handcrafted soy candles — each one made with care, ready to be loved.