Candle Care Guide

Every Season Has a Story.

Caring for Your Candle Helps Every Story Burn Brighter.

A beautifully crafted candle deserves a little care. Following these simple tips will help your Potomac Candle burn cleaner, last longer, and fill your home with the fragrance you love from the first light to the very last burn.

Every Potomac Candle is proudly Veteran-Owned & Made and handcrafted using 100% soy wax, cotton wicks, and premium fragrance oils. With proper care, you'll enjoy a cleaner, more even burn and get the most from every candle.

Before Your First Burn

The first burn is the most important.

Allow your candle to burn long enough for the melted wax to reach the edges of the jar. This usually takes 2–4 hours, depending on the size of the candle.

Creating a full melt pool during the first burn helps prevent tunneling and allows future burns to remain even.

Tip: Don't rush the first burn. It sets the foundation for the life of your candle.

Trim the Wick

Before each burn, trim the wick to approximately ¼ inch.

A properly trimmed wick helps:

  • Produce a cleaner flame

  • Reduce soot

  • Prevent excessive flickering

  • Extend the life of your candle

  • Create a more even burn

If the wick develops a small "mushroom" at the tip, simply trim it before relighting.

Burn Time

For the best performance:

  • Burn your candle for 2–4 hours at a time.

  • Avoid burning longer than 4 hours in one session.

  • Allow the wax to cool completely before relighting.

Short burns may cause tunneling, while extremely long burns can create an oversized flame.

Candle Safety

Always enjoy your candle safely.

  • Never leave a burning candle unattended.

  • Keep away from children and pets.

  • Burn on a heat-resistant surface.

  • Keep away from curtains, decorations, and anything flammable.

  • Never move a candle while the wax is hot.

  • Stop burning when approximately ½ inch of wax remains in the bottom of the jar.

How to Prevent Tunneling

Tunneling occurs when only the center of the candle melts.

The easiest way to prevent it is to:

✓ Allow a full melt pool during the first burn.

✓ Burn for at least 2 hours.

✓ Keep the wick trimmed.

Following these simple steps helps your candle burn evenly from beginning to end.

When Your Candle Is Finished

Once approximately ½ inch of wax remains, it's time to retire your candle.

Don't throw the jar away.

Our glass jars are perfect for:

  • Cotton swabs

  • Makeup brushes

  • Pens and pencils

  • Small plants or succulents

  • Bathroom storage

  • Desk organization

  • Kitchen herbs

Simply remove any remaining wax with warm, soapy water after allowing the jar to cool completely.

Thank You

Thank you for choosing Potomac Candle.

We hope every candle helps create moments of comfort, connection, and reflection throughout the year.