There’s nothing more frustrating for a soft girl in her self-care era than lighting a beautiful candle… only to watch it burn down into a sad little hole in the middle. This is called candle tunnelling, and it can ruin both the look and lifespan of your favourite jar.
The good news? With a few simple tips — and a little extra care — you can prevent tunnelling, make your candles last longer, and enjoy an even, cosy burn every time.
What Is Candle Tunnelling?
Candle tunnelling happens when the wax burns straight down the middle, leaving a thick ring of unmelted wax around the edges. Instead of melting evenly across the whole surface, the flame creates a “tunnel” through the candle.
This not only wastes a lot of wax (and money!) but also shortens your candle’s burn time. For soft girls who love creating an aesthetic, warm glow, tunnelling can be a total mood killer — the jar starts looking messy, and your favourite scent fades too quickly.
First Burn Rule
The very first time you light your candle sets the stage for every burn after that. For a tunnelling-free experience, let the wax melt all the way to the edges of the jar before blowing it out — this usually takes 2–4 hours depending on the candle size. This “memory burn” ensures the wax melts evenly in the future, keeping your candle looking perfect and giving you maximum fragrance.
Soft girl tip: make a cosy afternoon of it — light your candle, grab a book or journal, and let the glow work its magic.
Trim the Wick
Before every burn, trim your candle wick to around 5mm. A shorter wick keeps the flame steady, prevents soot, and stops the wick from “mushrooming” — which can lead to uneven melting and wasted wax. This quick step not only helps avoid tunnelling but also keeps your candle’s fragrance clean and fresh.
Think of it as part of your self-care ritual: a tiny moment of prep that makes the whole experience feel more intentional.
The Foil Fix
If your candle has already started tunnelling, don’t panic — the foil fix can save it. Simply wrap a piece of aluminium foil around the top of the jar, leaving a small opening in the centre for the flame. Let the candle burn for about 30 minutes. The foil traps heat inside, melting the stubborn unmelted wax around the edges and resetting the surface.
It’s like giving your candle a mini spa treatment so it comes back looking (and burning) as good as new.
Burn Time by Jar Size
One of the easiest ways to prevent tunnelling is to stick to the ideal burn time for your candle size. Here’s a quick guide:
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Small candles (100–180 ml): 1–2 hours per burn
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Medium candles (200–300 ml): 2–3 hours per burn
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Large candles (300 ml+): 3–4 hours per burn
Burning for too short a time won’t let the wax pool reach the edges, while burning for too long can overheat the jar or waste fragrance oils. Treat each burn as a little scheduled ritual — light it when you know you can enjoy it properly.
Make It a Ritual
Candle care doesn’t have to feel like a chore — turn it into part of your soft girl routine. Light Main Character Glow in the morning while journaling to set a confident, uplifting tone for your day, or Mentally, I’m Here in the evening to unwind with lavender, patchouli, and bergamot. By pairing mindful burn habits with your favourite scents, you’ll not only prevent tunnelling but also create moments that feel intentional, calming, and entirely yours.
Final Glow-Up
A little candle care goes a long way. By following the first burn rule, trimming your wick, and knowing how to rescue a tunneled candle, you can keep your jars burning beautifully from start to finish. It’s not just about preserving the wax — it’s about preserving the mood, the aesthetic, and the self-care moment you set out to create.
✨ Want to know why hustle culture is holding you back from enjoying more of these rituals? Read our blog on why it’s time to quit hustle culture here and step fully into your soft girl era.
Soft Girl Candle Care – FAQ
1) I did a full first burn and it still tunneled—why?
Likely placement or temperature. Drafts, a sloped/uneven surface, or a cold room can pull heat away from the edges. Move the candle to a level, draft‑free spot and rotate the jar 180° on the next burn.
2) Where should I place a candle to avoid tunnelling?
On a flat, heat‑safe surface at least 50cm from windows, vents, fans and doorways. Avoid direct sunlight (it softens natural waxes unevenly).
3) What’s the best way to trim a wick—and how often?
Trim to ~5 mm before every light. Use a wick trimmer or nail scissors; remove the “mushroom” cap so the flame stays calm and even.
4) My wick is too short/drowning—can I rescue it?
Yes. Let the candle cool, then carefully scrape a little wax from around the wick to raise it. If the melt pool is flooded, absorb excess liquid wax with a paper towel and relight.
5) Do soy/rapeseed candles tunnel more than paraffin?
Natural waxes are softer and need a longer first burn to set the “memory.” Once that’s done, they burn beautifully—and cleaner.
6) Foil fix isn’t convenient—any other rescue method?
A hairdryer/heat gun on low works: warm the rim in circles until the top fully levels. Keep the airflow moving and don’t overheat the glass.
7) How long should I leave between burns?
Let the jar cool and re‑solidify (at least 1–2 hours). Keep individual burns to max ~4 hours for safety and to protect fragrance quality.
8) Best way to extinguish without smoke or mess?
Use a snuffer or gently cap with a non‑airtight lid to deprive oxygen. Blowing can splatter wax and bend the wick.
9) Storage tips to protect scent and colour
Keep candles cool, upright, and out of direct sun. Pop the lid/dust cover on between uses to prevent dust pulling into the melt pool.
10) What do I do with the jar when it’s done?
Set the jar in warm water to loosen leftover wax, wipe clean, and reuse for cotton pads, matches, or desk bits—very soft‑girl‑organised.
