Make Your Scented Candle Last Longer

Eco warrior Hayley Crawford (aka Trash Talking Mama) is passionate about our environment and sharing her low waste tips so that we can all live more sustainably. This week we are sharing her simple but effective tricks to make your scented candles last longer. In this article Hayley also explains what to look out for when buying scented candles to avoid choosing ones that release toxic substances which are hazardous to both our health and the environment.

I really love the sweet aroma of a scented candle and for many, a burning candle can bring calmness and relaxation. However, most candles contain paraffin (a by-product of oil production) which releases harmful emissions and toxic substances when burned. Avoid this by only purchasing candles made of 100% natural substances such as beeswax, vegetable wax (for instance, soy) or stearin – but only if it is made from coconut oil, or palm oil that is certified as sustainably grown.

Some candle wicks contain heavy metals that release harmful toxins, so opt for wicks made of cotton or paper. Synthetic fragrances and dyes can be especially dangerous but you can choose candles with essential oils and eco-friendly colouring.

Living sustainably means making things last and there are some great tips to prevent your candle tunnelling (melting in the centre only and wasting the wax on the sides.) Burn your candle long enough so that it melts all the way to the edge before you extinguish it, or repurpose some used tin foil by placing it on top of a contained candle, with an opening for the flame. This causes the heat to reflect back on to the outer edges. Or gently push the wax at the side down toward the centre after burning, while it is still soft.

Reuse the vessel of the candle by combining leftover wax and replacing the wick. This can be done by putting the container into a pot of simmering water until it is a liquid that can be easily poured. I used an old birthday candle as the replacement wick but you can buy new wicks from places like Spotlight. Excess wax can also be re-used as an excellent body moisturiser! Whether you have your own cheeky ideas for hot wax or just enjoy the mood set by a burning candle, make the effort to use them sustainably.

Check out more of Hayley’s eco posts such as her vegetable storage tips on our blog.

You can also follow Hayley on Instagram here.