Putting out a candle seems like the simplest thing in the world. You blow, the flame goes out, done. But the way you extinguish a candle actually affects how much smoke it gives off, whether hot wax splatters, and how well the candle burns the next time you light it. A few small changes make the whole ritual cleaner and safer.
Here is how to put out a candle the right way, the methods worth using, and the habits worth skipping.
Why the way you put out a candle matters
When you blow hard on a flame, you send a puff of smoke into the air and can scatter tiny specks of soot and hot wax around the rim of the jar. That smoke is also the main reason a room smells faintly burnt right after a candle goes out. Over time, repeated puffs of soot can even leave a faint gray haze on the inside of the jar and on nearby walls. Snuffing the flame gently keeps the air clear, the glass clean, and the wax pool tidy. If your candle also tends to smoke while it is lit, our guide on why your candle is smoking and how to stop the soot covers the burning side of the same problem.
The best ways to put out a candle
Use a candle snuffer
A snuffer is the cleanest option. Lower the little bell over the flame for a second or two until the fire goes out, then lift it away. The flame is starved of oxygen rather than blown around, so there is almost no smoke and no splatter. It works on every candle, from a small votive to a wide jar like our Fireside Bourbon soy candle.
Dip the wick into the wax
If you do not have a snuffer, the wick-dipping method is just as clean. Use a wick dipper or any thin metal tool to bend the lit wick over into the melted wax pool for a moment, which puts the flame out instantly, then lift it back upright. Dipping coats the wick in a little wax, which also helps it light more easily next time. Just be sure to straighten and re-center the wick so the candle burns evenly on its next use.
If you have to blow
Blowing is fine in a pinch. The trick is to blow gently and from a slight angle rather than straight down, and to use only as much breath as you need. A soft, short puff puts the flame out with far less smoke than a hard blow.
What not to do
- Never use water. Water can crack a hot glass jar and make the wax splatter, and it leaves your wick soggy and hard to relight.
- Do not move a lit or just-extinguished candle. The wax pool is liquid and can spill or burn you. Put the flame out first, then move the candle once it has cooled.
- Do not snuff a jar candle by dropping the lid on top. Trapping the smoke against the wax can leave a sooty film on the glass and the lid. Put the flame out first, let it cool, then cap it for storage.
After you put the candle out
Once the flame is out, take a few seconds to set the candle up for next time. While the wax is still soft, nudge the wick back to the center so the next burn stays even. Let the candle cool completely before you touch the glass or move it. It is also the moment to make sure the flame is fully out, with no glowing ember still on the wick, before you leave the room, since a candle is only truly safe once it is cold. And before you relight, trim the wick back to about a quarter inch so it burns low and clean. These small habits are what keep a candle from tunneling or smoking down the road.
Candles worth lighting this fall
Good care goes further with a well-made candle, and autumn is the perfect time to cozy up with a warm scent. Our Fall Candle Collection brings together our four signature autumn scents, all hand poured from soy wax with clean cotton wicks that snuff easily.
A few to reach for this season: Orchard Stroll soy candle is crisp and fruity with apple, cinnamon, and cedar, while Pumpkin Soufflé soy candle is the cozy bakery scent of pumpkin, cinnamon, and vanilla. For something softer and sweeter, Toasted Vanilla soy candle layers buttercream, cardamom, and chestnut for a gentle, comforting glow.
Small habit, better burn
Putting out a candle the right way takes an extra second and pays you back with less smoke, cleaner glass, and a candle that lights beautifully every time. Reach for a snuffer or dip the wick, skip the water and the hard blow, and give the wick a quick trim before the next light. Your candles, and your nose, will thank you.
