Quality scented candles don’t come cheap – and there’s an art to burning them...

Here’s the burn protocol to get the most out of your favorite candle:

• Refrigerate your candle. Cold wax and wicks burn a little slower. Refrigerating is better than freezing and will eliminate the risk of wax or jars cracking in the freezer.

• Avoid burning your candle near any draft to prevent uneven burning and melting.

• Trim the candle’s wick prior to each burning. This reduces smoking and improves oxygen flow to the flame for an even burn.

• The ideal burn time for a standard column shaped or jar candle is 2 to 4 hours. Burning it for short periods of time creates a smaller melt pool which results in tunneling – or burning down the center of the candle.

• Multi-wick candles usually cost a little more but are worth it. They don’t burn faster, they do burn more evenly which gives you longer candle life overall.

Color can affect your candle burn as well. Some dyes can cause your candle to burn a little hotter. White or pale candles generally last a little longer than dark colored candles with a lot of added dye.