Scented candles are a delightful way to add ambiance and fragrance to your home. Their flickering flames and captivating scents create a warm and inviting atmosphere. However, proper storage is crucial to ensure your candles last as long as possible, preserving their fragrance and beautiful appearance. This guide will dive into the essential tips and tricks for storing your candles for optimal longevity.
Factors Affecting Candle Life
Before going into storage solutions, it’s important to understand the things that you should watch out for when storing candles.
- Heat: Excessive heat can cause the wax to melt, especially if it’s natural wax made from 100% natural ingredients. Head can also distort the shape of your candle, and accelerate fragrance evaporation.
- Light: Direct sunlight and harsh indoor lighting break down the fragrance oils and wax, leading to a weaker scent and discolored wax. It can also cause sweating which ruins the aesthetics of your candle.
- Humidity: High humidity can cause the wax to soften and become sticky, attracting dust and debris.
- Dust: Dust and dirt can clog the wick, impacting the burning efficiency and resulting in a weaker scent throw.
Tips for Storing Scented Candles
Now that you are made aware of the different things that can harm your candle, let’s explore the key steps to ensure your candles remain aesthetically pleasing and fragrant for as long as possible:
Choose the Right Location
- Cool and Dark: Store your candles in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat sources like radiators or ovens. Aim for a temperature range between 60°F to 70°F.
- Low Humidity: Opt for a space with low humidity, such as a closet, pantry, or drawer. Avoid storing them in bathrooms or kitchens where humidity levels are high.
- Out of Reach: Keep your candles out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidental spills or breakage.
Maximize Protection
If your candle comes with a lid, you can simply place the lid back on the jar after turning the flame off. Just make sure not to turn the flame off by placing the lid on the jar, rather use a wick snuffer or a wick dipper, and after the smoke is gone, only then put the lid back on.
Placing the lid back on to turn off the jar can make the smoke ruin your wax, fragrance, and the aesthetics of your candle in the long run.
If your candle comes without a lid, you can do any of the following:
- Original Packaging: If possible, store your candles in their original packaging. This provides optimal protection from dust, light, and moisture.
- Airtight Containers: Alternatively, invest in airtight containers specifically made for candle storage. These containers provide a dark, dust-free environment and prevent fragrance evaporation.
Maintaining Pristine Condition
- Keep Wicks Trimmed: Regularly trim your candle wicks to 1/4 inch before each use. This prevents soot buildup, promotes even burning, and maximizes fragrance release.
- Clean Up Spills: Quickly clean up any spills with a damp cloth to prevent them from hardening and damaging the wax surface.
- Avoid Drafts: Avoid placing your candles in drafty areas, as this can cause uneven burning and shorten the candle’s lifespan.
- Burn Intervals: Avoid burning your candles for extended periods. Aim for burning sessions of 2-4 hours at a time to allow the wax to cool and solidify properly. Don’t go above 4 hours though as the temperature of the candle can go above 60 degrees Celsius, and in return, results in shorter burn times.
- Let it Cool Completely: Always let your candle cool completely before lighting it again. This ensures that the wax sets evenly, and that the temperature in the wax is consistent.
- Rotate Your Collection: Don’t neglect your entire candle collection. Regularly rotate your candles to ensure each one gets used and avoid wasting fragrance.
Bonus Tip
Another tip that would prove handy is to recycle the candle containers after using them, and doing that is simple. When the wax gets to a height of 2-3 centimeters inside the jar, it is time to get to recycling.
- Put the jar inside a bowl that can withstand heat.
- Pour boiling water inside the bowl until the jar floats nicely, and leave it for some time.
- Scoop out the wax and the wick.
- Grab a paper towel, and remove the excess wax, and then dish it down.
- Let it sit to dry.
- Enjoy your recycled candle jar.
By following these simple yet effective storage tips, you can maximize the lifespan of your scented candles, ensuring they continue to fill your home with captivating fragrance and warm ambiance for a longer time. Remember, with proper care and attention, your candles can become treasured possessions that bring joy and relaxation to your living space.