You're Doing It Wrong: How to Burn + Extinguish Your Candles So …
Q&A with Organizational Pro Peter Walsh + Dermatologist Shares A…
Actor Hank Azaria + Freezer Meals + Artichokes 2 Ways with Rach
See Inside Barbara Corcoran's Stunning NY Apartment + It's Steak…
How to Make Chicken and Lobster Piccata | Richard Blais
Donnie Wahlberg Spills Details About NKOTB's First Ever Conventi…
Donnie Wahlberg + Jenny McCarthy Say Rach Is Such a "Joy" + Look…
The Best Moments From 17 Seasons of the Show Will Make You Laugh…
How to Make Crabby Carbonara | Rachael Ray
Rach Chats "Firsts" In Flashback From Our First Episode Ever In …
How to Make Apple-Cider Braised Pork Chop Sandwiches with Onion …
Rach's Chef Pals Say Goodbye to Show in Surprise Video Message
How to Make Sesame Cookies | Buddy Valastro
How to Make Tortilla with Potatoes, Piquillo Peppers and Mancheg…
How to Make Shrimp Burgers | Jacques Pepin
How to Make Spanakopipasta | Rachael Ray
Andrew McCarthy Chokes Up Discussing Emotional Trip to Spain wit…
Celebrity Guests Send Farewell Messages After 17 Seasons of the …
Celebrity Guests Send Farewell Messages After 17 Seasons of the …
Andrew McCarthy Teases Upcoming "Brat Pack" Reunion Special
Michelle Obama Toasts Rach's 17 Years on the Air With a Heartfel…
Each product has been independently selected by our editorial team. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.
Who doesn't love a cozy candle burning on a fall afternoon? Maybe it's the fact that we've all been major homebodies lately, or maybe it's the de-stressing effect candles can have. Whatever the reason, Kudzi Chikumbu, a.k.a. Sir Candle Man, has become something of a social media phenomenon on TikTok and Instagram. The candle curator is sharing some of his favorite candles and candle care accessories—but first, he wants us to know we're probably burning our candles all wrong.
The Right Way to Light, Burn and Extinguish Your Candles So They Last Longer (+ Burn Evenly!)
1. Trim the Wick
Whether it's a new candle or one you're re-burning, you need to trim your wick to ¼-inch, Kudzi says. "If you have the wick too long, you don't have a clean burn and...you start getting soot when you burn your candle." Not only does this not look good, but you're also getting soot into your space, he points out. "We don't want that. We want clean, easy, even burning."
2. Burn for a Minimum of 2 Hours
"A lot of candle packages actually say how long you should burn the candle for. The general advice is anywhere between two and four hours, so that you get a full, melted pool of wax at the top, because if you don't do that, your candle has what we call candle memory—and wherever it stops burning, it will only burn from there down."
If you have a candle that is burning unevenly and has wax pooling in a ring at the center, Kudzi has a simple trick using aluminum foil to even it out again. Watch him demonstrate in the video above.
3. Don't Blow Them Out!
"Most people blow on the candle which is fine, but it's not great, because you'll get some excess smoke in the room which is not great to inhale," Kudzi says. "So, what you want to do is get yourself two handy tools. I like to have a candle snuffer, or you can get a wick dipper."
Get Sir Candle Man's candle snuffer, wick dipper and wick trimmer product pick below. Plus, check out some of his favorite candles from founders he loves:
Kudzi likes FORVR Mood's Skinny Dipped scent—and this cute gift set comes with mini versions of Skinny Dipped + 3 other FORVR scents.
MORE FROM ET: Kylie Jenner's Affordable 'Hello Fall' Candle and 17 of the Best Fall Candles to Create a Cozy Vibe