If you love lighting a candle to unwind, set the mood, or fill your home with scent—and especially if you’re enjoying a refillable candle from ReCandle Co.—then taking one extra minute to trim the wick before each burn will pay off big time.
Let’s walk through why wick trimming is important, when and how to do it correctly, and how you’ll notice the difference in your candle’s performance.
Why trimming your candle wick matters
Reduced soot and cleaner burn
When the wick is too long, the flame gets bigger and burns hotter than it should. That leads to soot buildup, blackened wick tips (aka “mushrooming”), and smoky residue on your vessel. Trimming keeps the flame controlled and clean.
More even melt pool + better fragrance
A properly sized flame melts the wax evenly across the surface, avoiding “tunneling” (when the wax burns straight down the center). That helps your wax last longer—and means you’ll get a better, more even scent experience from your candle.
Longer life and better safety
Trimming the wick helps your candle burn at the right pace. Not only does that extend its life, it also prevents high flames and overheating, making your burn safer overall.
When and how to trim your candle wick
When to trim
- Before every burn: Always trim your wick before lighting your candle.
- After the wax has cooled: Let your candle cool and solidify before trimming.
- If you notice “mushrooming” or excess smoke: That’s your cue to trim before next use.
How to trim
- Wait until the candle is cool and the wax is solid.
- Use a small pair of scissors or a wick trimmer.
- Clip the wick to about ¼ inch (around 6mm).
- Gently remove any trimmed pieces from the surface of the wax.
- Light and enjoy.
For ReCandle Co. candles
Because our candles are built around zero waste refills and handmade ceramic candle vessels, proper wick trimming helps preserve both your refill and your vessel.
- After inserting a new soy wax refill , check wick length before lighting.
- With multi-wick candles, trim each wick individually.
- Trimming helps reduce soot on your ceramic vessel, keeping it cleaner with every burn.
Candle wick trimming FAQs
What happens if I trim too short?
If the wick is too short, it may have trouble staying lit or forming a proper melt pool. Let it burn a bit longer or adjust slightly next time.
Does trimming reduce fragrance?
Actually, the opposite. A well-trimmed wick creates a more even burn, which helps release scent more consistently and effectively.
Can I use regular scissors?
Yes—though a proper wick trimmer makes it easier, especially once your candle burns lower into the vessel.
Is this just for cotton wicks?
These tips apply to the cotton wicks used in all ReCandle Co. products. Wooden wicks require a different approach.
The bottom line
Trimming your wick may seem like a small detail—but it makes a big impact. Better burns, cleaner vessels, longer-lasting wax, and fewer safety risks.
And when your candle is part of an intentional ritual—something you refill, reuse, and come back to again and again—it makes sense to treat it with care. So before you strike that next match, give your wick a quick trim. Your flame (and your future self) will thank you.