How to Create the Best Candle Experience

We’ve all been there: The candle smells great when you first get it but leaves something to be desired when it’s actually lit. If you find yourself in this position and you’re wondering how to make a candle smell stronger, there are a few things you can do — and they all will help you get the best candle experience.

How to make a candle smell stronger

Problem: My candle smells strongly in one room but not the other.
Solution: Scent from a candle is a gas — meaning it fills the volume of the space it’s in. So in a bathroom, a small candle will work just fine. In a large open-plan room, the same candle won’t be noticeable. Since Alcott candles are 8.3 ounces, we recommend enjoying them in a room that is 8′x8′ to 12′x12′. Any larger, and the scent may not be noticeable — smaller, and the smell may be overwhelming. (Is that ever really a problem?)

Problem: My candle won’t burn all the way to the edge.
Solution: While this may not seem like a scent problem at first, it can be. Candles have memory: They will only melt wax that was melted previously. When this happens it’s called tunneling. And less melted wax means a weak scent. To prevent tunneling, let your candle burn until the wax has melted all the way to the edge, which takes about two hours for Alcott candles.

This photo shows an example of minor tunneling.

If you have tunneling, it’s easy to fix. Simply put a piece of aluminum foil around the lip of the candle container where the tunneling is happening. If you have tunneling all the way around the candle, make sure you leave an opening at the top of the foil. Then light the candle until the wax has evenly melted. We also have a video of how to get rid of tunneling on our Instagram.

Problem: I have an open floor plan, and candles don’t work in it.
Solution: We’re big fans of open floor plans — except when it comes to strong candle scents. Short of a full renovation, the only way to get a strong smell in a large area is to have more candles. This can be done two ways: literally just more candles or candles with more wicks. They will have the same result, and depending on the size of the room, one option may work better for you than another. 

Problem: I can’t smell candles when they’re lit.
Solution: You may be experiencing nose blindness, especially if you have been sitting next to the candle the entire time it’s been lit. In fact, if you could smell the candle the first few minutes only for the scent to fade away, it’s definitely nose blindness. Basically, you’ve just gotten used to the smell. Try stepping away from the candle for 15 or 20 minutes. Once you’re back in the room, you should be able to smell it again.