Tealights are like little stars for interiors: unassuming, yet capable of transforming the mood in a living room, bathroom, or bedroom. They provide warm, soft light, work great with fragrance burners, and are easy to use. This guide is your map to the world of tealights—from the basics, to burning time, to DIY and recycling. Sound good? Let's begin!
Tealight – what is it?
Simply put, a tealight is a small candle encased in a small holder (usually aluminum or transparent polycarbonate), with a single, short wick. It was originally designed for warming infusions (hence the "tea" in the name), but it quickly found its way into decoration and aromatherapy.
In practice, tealights differ from each other:
- Wax composition: paraffin (cheaper, classic), soy/vegetable (more natural, burn cooler, often longer), rapeseed, coconut, and even beeswax.
- Size: standard (approx. 38–39 mm in diameter), "maxi" (larger, longer burning).
- Intended use: unscented (for warming plates and lanterns) and scented (for mood enhancement and aromatherapy).
How long does a tealight burn?
This is the question I hear most often: how long does a tealight burn, and why does it sometimes burn shorter and sometimes longer? First, a short answer - in the standard version:
- How long does a tealight burn: usually about 3–4 hours .
- Maxi tealight: usually 6–8 hours .
Why does it burn for 2.5 hours for some, and over 4 hours for others? The details are what decide:
- Type of wax. Plant-based waxes (e.g., soy wax) burn cooler and often a little longer than paraffin in a tealight of the same size.
- Wick. Too thin – the flame weakens, the wax doesn't melt evenly; too thick – the tealight "eats" the wax too quickly.
- Conditions. Drafts, air conditioning, or a cold windowsill shorten the burning time.
- Proper ignition. If you immediately let it work to a full "pool" of wax (the melted layer reaches the edges), you minimize tunneling and wasted burning time.
Tip: If your tealights go out too quickly, try a warmer surface, shield the flame from drafts, and make sure the wick is centered.
How to make a tealight? DIY step by step
Homemade tealights are like homemade cookies: you know what's in them, you can choose your favorite scents, and you get the fun of creating them. Here's a simple recipe for soy tealights (great for lovers of natural solutions):
You will need:
- tealight cups (aluminum or transparent),
- soy wax (granules),
- wicks for tealights with a metal plate (so-called sustainer) and possibly glue/tape for attaching them,
- a melting pot (bain-marie) and a thermometer,
- fragrance oil safe for candles (optional),
- wick centering sticks, paper towels.
Step 1 - Melting the wax.
Melt the soy wax in a double boiler. Aim for approximately 70–80°C to ensure everything melts evenly.
Step 2 - Preparing the cups.
Glue the wicks to the bottom of the tealight containers in the center. This will prevent them from "floating away" when pouring the wax.
Step 3 - Fragrance (optional).
Once the wax has cooled slightly (e.g., to 60–65°C ), add the fragrance oil at the concentration recommended by the manufacturer (usually 6–10% of the wax). Mix gently but thoroughly.
Step 4 - Pouring.
Pour the wax into the cups, leaving a little space from the edge. Secure the wick in the center (a stick helps to keep it upright).
Step 5 - Cooling and Seasoning.
Let the tealights cool down in peace, without drafts. For the best scent diffusion, wait 24–48 hours before lighting them – this is called seasoning.
Step 6 - Test.
Light one tealight and observe: the flame should be stable, and the wax surface should be even. If something is wrong, it's a sign that you need to choose a different wick for the tealight or adjust the pouring temperature.
Which wick should I choose for a tealight?
This is the heart of the tealight. The good news: choosing doesn't have to be difficult.
- Material: opt for cotton; wooden wicks of this small diameter usually don't work perfectly.
- Thickness and type: for a cup of approx. 38–39 mm, start with small sizes (e.g., from the series dedicated to tealights or small containers). Soy wax can be "heavier" for the wick than paraffin, so it often requires a slightly stronger size than with paraffin.
- Sustainer (metal strip): a low one (approx. 3–4 mm) will be safe — it will allow the candle to extinguish before the wax runs out completely.
- Burning tests: conduct A/B tests: same wax and scent, two different wicks. Measure the burning time and assess the melting surface. This is the fastest path to perfection.
Remember: a "perfect wick" is one that doesn't smoke, tunnel, or flood with wax . If the flame is too high and flickering, the wick is too strong. If the flame goes out, it's either too weak or there's too much fragrance/color.
Tealight applications
Tealights are small multitaskers. How can you use them to get the most out of your mood?
- Aromatherapy and fragrance diffusers.
A tealight heats the wax in the bowl, releasing the aroma evenly. Choose unscented tealights if the aroma is to come from the wax in the burner itself – this will prevent the scents from mixing. - Table decorations and evening backdrop.
A few tealights in glass candle holders create a cozy "path of light." It's a trick that elevates the mood of any dinner. - Bathroom SPA.
All you need are two tealights, some music, and your favorite scent – and your bathroom transforms into a mini relaxation zone. - Lanterns, fairy lights, garlands.
On windy evenings, put tealights in lanterns—the light will be stable and safer. - Emergency light source.
Tealight candles are small, inexpensive, and always ready to use. It's good to have a pack "just in case."
Important safety rules: always place tealights on a heat-resistant, level surface, keep them away from flammable materials and out of reach of children and animals. Never leave a lit candle unattended — it seems obvious, but it's worth repeating.
Where should I throw away a tealight?
Ecology is a standard today, not a fad. What to do with the residue after burning?
- Aluminum cup: after removing wax residue, throw it into the container for metals and plastics (in many municipalities, this is the yellow fraction).
- Plastic (polycarbonate) cup: usually also includes metals and plastics .
- Wick plate (sustainer): metal — metals and plastics .
- Wax residue: best use it up completely (e.g., melt it in a fragrance burner) or collect it and use it for more DIY projects. If you don't know what to do with it, in most municipalities, wax residue goes into mixed waste .
- Fragrance waxes/colors: also mixed , if you don't reuse them.
How to easily remove wax from a cup? Two patents:
- Freezer method: Place the cups in the freezer for 20–30 minutes; the wax will shrink and "pop out."
- Warm method: gently heat (e.g., in warm water), wipe with a paper towel.
Please note: waste sorting rules may vary locally. If you are unsure, check the guidelines of your municipality or waste sorting center. This will ensure that your efforts really end up in the right container.
Quick Summary and Practical Tips
- Tealight — what is it? A small candle in a holder, perfect for setting the mood and aromatherapy.
- How long does a tealight burn? Standard is usually 3–4 hours , maximum 6–8 hours , but the wax, wick, and conditions all have an impact.
- How to make a tealight? Melt the wax, prepare the cups with the wick, optionally add fragrance, pour, let it cure for 24–48 hours, and then test.
- What kind of wick for a tealight? A cotton wick, sized to the diameter (~38–39 mm) and type of wax; testing is key.
- Where to dispose of tealight candles? The cups and tins – mostly metal and plastic ; the wax residue – mixed (or reuse).
Finally, a little metaphor: tealights are like a "comma" in a sentence – a small detail that regulates the rhythm and adds a breath of fresh air. Small, yet they change the atmosphere of the entire room. If you choose natural, soy tealights, you'll get a gentle, longer burn and cleaner air in your home. And if you enjoy creating things – DIY has a double pleasure: you make it, and you light it.