Please don't blow out your candles. I learned why the hard way: a member of my own family once blew out a candle, and hot wax splattered onto her face and burned her skin. Since then, every candle in my home gets snuffed, never blown.
Here's how to put out a candle the right way, without smoke or splatter, and why it matters more than most people think.
The short answer: The best way to put out a candle is with a candle snuffer. Lower the bell straight down over the flame, hold it there for a few seconds until the flame is out and the smoke stops, then lift it straight up. No snuffer? Use the candle's lid. Never blow out a candle, and never use water.
Why I Never Blow Out a Candle
- Splattered wax. A hard breath across a full melt pool can throw hot wax onto your face, your hands, the table and the walls. It happened in my family, and it burned.
- Smoke and soot. Blowing sends a plume of smoke and soot into the room. As a physician, soot is the part I care about most. Those particles are small enough to travel deep into your lungs, and they settle on walls, ceilings and fabrics too.
- A dirtier next burn. Blowing pushes soot and debris down into the wax, which adds to the sooting the next time you light it.
How to Use a Candle Snuffer
- Hold the snuffer by the end of the handle, well away from the flame.
- Lower the bell straight down over the flame. Don't touch the wick or dip into the wax.
- Hold it there for a few seconds. Without oxygen, the flame goes out.
- Wait until the smoke stops, then lift the snuffer straight up.
- Let the candle cool where it is. Don't move a candle while the wax is still liquid.
How to Put Out a Candle Without a Snuffer
Use the lid. If your candle came with a lid, set it on top to cut off the air, and leave it until the flame is out and the smoke has stopped. All of our 12 oz candles come with a lid, so you always have a backup.
Never use water. Water hitting hot wax can make it spit and pop, and it can crack a hot glass vessel. It also leaves you with a soggy wick that won't light again.
Put It Out Before It Burns Too Long
Knowing when to put out a candle matters as much as how. Burn for 3 to 4 hours at a time, until the whole top layer melts, then snuff it. After 4 hours, the wick mushrooms and the flame climbs, which means more soot. Before you light it again, let it cool completely and trim the wick to 1/4 inch. Here's how to trim a candle wick, and how to fix candle tunneling if a short burn has left a hole down the middle.
Where I Keep My Snuffer
The tools only help if they're within reach. I keep a wick trimmer and snuffer in my family room and a second set in my bedroom, either in a decorative box or out on display as decor pieces. When they're pretty and right beside the candle, you actually use them.
Candle Snuffer FAQs
What is a candle snuffer?
A candle snuffer is a small bell on a long handle. You lower the bell over the flame to cut off its oxygen, which puts the candle out without smoke or splattered wax.
How do you put out a candle without smoke?
Use a candle snuffer, and hold it over the flame a few seconds after the flame goes out so the smoke has time to stop before you lift it.
Is it bad to blow out candles?
Yes. Blowing out a candle can splatter hot wax, sends smoke and soot into the room, and pushes soot and debris down into the wax pool. Use a snuffer or the lid instead.
Can you put out a candle with water?
No. Water can make hot wax spit, can crack a hot glass vessel, and ruins the wick.
Can you use the candle lid to put it out?
Yes. Set the lid on top and leave it in place until the flame is out and the smoke has stopped.
Shop My Candle Care Essentials
- Essential Candle Care Kit · $25, a matte black candle snuffer and wick trimmer, ready to give in our black gift box
- Gold-Tipped Long Candle Matches · $10
- Holiday Glow Christmas Candle Gift Set · $80, a gold candle with our trimmer and snuffer
For the full routine, see our candle care guide.
Are you a snuffer or a blower? Tell me in the comments. I read every one.
Live with intention,
❤️ Jeannie