I’m candle obsessed and I light one pretty much every.single.day. I just love the cozy ambiance from a lit candle and scented ones always make my home smell fantastic. While I have my go-to candle (you guys all know I rave about this one), there are some others that made my “favorite candles” list. And I have even found some amazing accessories that take my candle obsession to the next level.

Even though I’m a candle junkie, I have made a few candle faux pas in the past. Here are mistakes that should be avoided if you want your candles to last and last…

Candle Mistakes You Might Be Making

You Don’t Trim the Wick: Whenever I buy a new candle, I always trim the wick down. It’s supposed to be about 1/4th of an inch in length. If you keep it long, then a big flame will burn and you’ll have soot all over your beautiful new candle. Don’t do this! Instead, trim the wick right away (and every time you light it). I used to just use scissors, but I recently purchased this wick trimmer and it’s now one of my favorite candle accessories.

You Don’t Snuff It: I usually buy candles with lids and instead of blowing out the flame, I put the top on to extinguish it. If yours doesn’t have a lid, then you can use a candle snuffer. I think they’re kinda fun and the one in this kit works great . Instead of blowing out the flame and creating a smoky room, snuff it! That way the aromas from your candle will linger throughout your home.

You Don’t Burn It Long Enough: I’m definitely guilty of this candle mistake. When you light a candle, you need to let the wax melt all the way to the edges. If you don’t, then you’ll have a tunnel in the middle and it will burn down more quickly. Whenever I get a new candle, I try to light it for at least two hours so it burns evenly (even longer if it’s a big candle). If you only let your candle burn for thirty minutes at a time, then you’ll go through it a lot faster and you’ll waste a lot of wax.

You Don’t Re-use the Jar: Most of the candles I buy come in really gorgeous jars and I love to re-use them around the house. I shared this tutorial last year, outlining the steps to remove the wax and save a candle jar. It’s so easy and I use them to store all kinds of goodies around the house.

My Favorite Candles & Accessories

Now that you know the mistakes to avoid when burning candles, come scoop up some new ones for your home.

Readers’ Favorite Candles

I always love trying new candles, so I asked you guys for the details on some of your favorite candles. Holy smokes, you guys are just as passionate about candles as I am. While about 50% recommended my favorite candle, here’s what everyone else had to share…

• Bath and Body Works
  • Rose & Ivy
  • Leaves – “My favorite for fall.”
  • Champagne Toast – “It smells soooo good!”
  • Bergamot Waters – “It smells like a fancy hotel to me.”
• DW Home
  • Warm Tobacco Pipe
  • Wild Honey Nectar
• Yankee Candle
  • Warm Luxe Cashmere
  • Pink Sands – “Good for summertime.”
• Target
  • Cashmere Plum
  • Island Moonlight – “Smells just like Anthropologie’s volcano candle, but for half the price.”

• Anthropologie, Vanilla & Fig – “My favorite from the boulangerie line.”
• Williams Sonoma, White Gardenia – “Scent is subtle, not overpowering.”
• Nest, Grapefruit Classic
• Rewined – “Repurposed wine bottlers and pretty wine scents.”
• Wax Buffalo
• Eco Candle Co., White Tea Ginger Soy – “My high school job was making candles there!”
• Votivo, Red Currant
• Trader Joe’s, Peony Blossom
• The Rockaway Candle Co.
• The Archivist, Tomato & Lime
• Wixology – “In rocks glasses to drink out of after they’re burned.”
• Brooklyn Candle Studio, Maui

Hope you guys found some new fresh scents to try in today’s post. Oh, and come fall, be sure to try this DIY cozy candle holder (it takes two minutes to make and hides any ugly labels on your candle!).

Casey