According to the experts, this is usually caused by not burning your candle long enough the first time you light it – the wax will only melt as far as it did that first time so to stop it happening to your new candle, make sure you burn one hour for every inch in diameter.
For example, if it’s two inches across, burn it for two hours so the top layer burns evenly. And you should try and burn it even every time.
If you’re anything like us, you’re probably clinging on to the little things in your home that made you feel happy – and right now that includes lighting all of our scented candles (even the really posh ones we usually save for special occasions) in the evenings, with a Netflix series rolling in the background.
But candles have their problems, particularly if they’re currently burning down the centre leaving a heap of unused candle wax around the sides. The term is called candle tunnelling and the more you burn it down the middle, the worse the tunnelling gets. It’s like the candle has memory. YIKES. Nothing makes us sadder than candle waste.
However, what do you do if the candle tunnelling has already got hold of your favourite scented number?
We’ve always just thought it was something we had to put up with but it turns out there’s a really easy hack to make it stop – and all you need is kitchen foil.
To banish that unsightly tunnel, fold a piece of aluminum foil in half and wrap it around the candle, folding it up so it covers the top of the candle slightly but with space in the middle to burn. Keep the foil wrap on for about 30 minutes and you’ll see that excess candle wax will have melted leaving you with an even candle again.
If you want to perfect your candle-lighting skills even more, get into the habit of trimming your wicks too which will stop that black rim around the candle. Try and trim before you light it and you’ll be left with a brighter, cleaner burn. You can buy specific wick trimmers but nail scissors do the job just as well.
