Why Your First Burn Matters Most
The first time you light a candle sets the way it will burn for the rest of its life.
How to Stop a Candle Tunnelling
A ring of wax left on the glass is easy to prevent, and not hard to put right.
Trimming a Wick Without a Trimmer
Nail scissors will do, as long as you know how short to go.
How Long Should a Candle Burn at Once?
Between two and four hours suits most jars, and here is why.
Putting a Candle Out Without the Smoke
A snuffer, a dipped wick or a lid: three ways, and which we prefer.
Cleaning Soot From a Glass Jar
Warm water and patience bring most jars back to clear.
Where Not to Put a Lit Candle
Draughts, shelves and curtains: the short list of places to avoid.
What to Do With the Last Centimetre
Stop burning before the base gets hot, then reuse the jar.
Choosing a Scent for a Small Room
A strong candle can overwhelm a small space; lighter notes carry further than you think.
Top, Heart and Base Notes, Simply
What the three layers of a scent are, and how to smell for them.
Why Fig Smells Green
It is the leaf rather than the fruit that gives fig its bite.
Woody Scents for Colder Evenings
Cedar, smoke and amber, and how to keep them from turning heavy.