This quick fix will keep your candles burning longer.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
Is Your Candle Wick Mushrooming? Here’s How to Fix It
Updated Oct. 03, 2024
Lighting a candle is one of the most relaxing things, especially when you know how to make candles last forever. The right scents can help you feel calm, focused and relaxed, or make you feel more energized. It all depends on the scented candles you choose, whether you’re reaching for lavender, lemon or rose petal.
But when you start to notice wick mushrooming on your favorite candle, it can make you feel like you’ve lost it forever. So, what’s a candle lover to do when the wick starts bunching up at the top? Thankfully, there’s a quick and easy fix.
Why Is My Wick Mushrooming?
If you’ve ever had a candle with a black cap on the end, or what looks like a mushroom cap, it means your candle wick is mushrooming. If the wick mushrooms too much, it can make relighting a candle difficult. In essence, the ratio of wax to wick is off. The buildup of excess materials left from not burning correctly is the cap of carbon particles you see, otherwise known as a mushroom wick.
How Can I Fix It?
Not all candle companies use a perfectly-sized wick for the candle they’re producing, so it’s not uncommon to have this issue. It all has to do with how your wick stands. A wick standing straight up is more likely to mushroom, while a wick that’s bent at a gentle angle is less likely to have any buildup.
Luckily if you have a wick that’s mushrooming, the fix is pretty simple. All you need to do is trim the wick on your candle (when it’s no longer burning). You can find a wick trimmer on Amazon for less than $10, if you don’t already have one. Then, when you trim the wick, bend it slightly so it’ll be in the proper place before lighting and enjoying it again.
The Tools Every Candle Lover Needs
1 / 9
Wick Trimmer
If you're not in the habit of trimming your candle's wick, it's time to start. A shorter wick burns more cleanly—preventing dangerously tall flames—and also promotes smooth, even wax melt. While you could use a pair of scissors, a wick trimmer is perfectly designed for the job. It has a long handle suited for trimming even the narrowest jar candle, and a built-in debris tray makes for easy cleanup.
Candle Snuffer
Yes, your grandma owns one of these—and you should, too. Not only does this snuffer look gorgeous on display next to your favorite candle, but it also extinguishes lit flames with ease. Plus, it's safer than the good ol' blowing out method, which can spread hot wax.
Rechargeable Lighter
A lighter that you never have to replace? Sign us up! This USB-powered lighter relies on a lithium-ion battery instead of fuel, and you can use it up to 300 times on a single charge. It's also flameless, which makes lighting outdoor candles on a windy night a breeze.
Candle Topper
Candles are gorgeous on their own, but a chic topper can take your jar to the next level. And—bonus!—it helps your candle burn better. This pewter floral design guards against drafts and keeps the flame nice and steady. Also check out how to fix candle tunneling (and prevent it from happening again.)
Wick Dipper
For an extinguishing tool that's less bulky than a traditional snuffer, try a wick dipper. This simple item helps you push your candle wick into the melted wax, dousing the flame. Just make sure you pull the wick back out before the wax hardens! Try it with one of our favorite food-scented candles.
Tea Light Holders
Tea lights look pretty on any occasion, but we're particularly smitten with this rustic pine tree holder. It's ideal for a coffee table, mantle or any area of your home that needs a little hygge. (Just make sure you curl up with a mug of Cozy Hot Chocolate once it's lit).
Candle Tray
When you have several beloved candles, it can be tricky to display them all at once. That's why we love this cast-iron candle tray. Available in both rectangular and circular shapes, it's large enough to hold several candles of various sizes.
Matches
Say goodbye to matches that burn your fingers. These extra-long fireside lighters are ideal for sparking extra-deep jars or a bunch of candles all at once. Plus, their blush tips and apothecary-style jar make these matches pretty enough to leave out in the open.
Candle Holder
Take your candle to new heights—literally. This elevated holder combines trendy mixed materials to lift your favorite 3-wick jar onto centerstage. Don't miss our guide on how to make candles last longer.
Up Next: How to Smooth Your Candle's Surface to Fix Bumps and Cracks 
Originally Published: July 12, 2021
