This is a guide covering how to store candles.
Almost every household has candles. They bring joy, light, and a warm ambiance to the house.
Although candles are such common household items, most of us do not know how to store them properly.
If they are not stored properly, they get damaged, their quality fades over time, or worse, they may start a fire hazard.
Especially, if you have kids or pets at home, you must be extra careful to prevent any kind of mishaps from happening.
According to the NFPA website, 21 home candles fires were reported every day. Candles caused 2% of home fires and 3% of home fire deaths in 2014-18. To prevent accidents, it’s better to learn how to store candles and safely use them.
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
How Should Candles Be Stored (Tips)?
1. What Kind of Container Should Be Used to Store Candles?
The first and foremost thing that should be kept in mind while storing the candles is the type of container that you use to store the candles.
The container must be fire-proof. Some people store the candles in cardboard boxes.
This is not advisable. Even though the candles are unlit, it’s better to store them in fire-proof containers.
Ceramic containers, glass jars or organizers, galvanized boxes, etc. are preferred containers to store the candles.
These containers withstand extreme temperatures and protect the candles from degradation.
2. Right Temperature to Store Candles
As candles melt, they must be stored at an optimum temperature so that they won’t melt. They shouldn’t be stored in high temperatures as they can melt.
They must not be frozen as the wicks can absorb moisture and won’t produce a bright flame.
Always store the candles in a cool environment, at a temperature close to the room temperature.
3. Where to Store Candles?
Always store the candles in a cool and dry place. Candles and moisture do not go hand in hand.
Do not store candles in any place that has direct exposure to sunlight.
Sunlight makes the colors and the scents of the wax fade away faster.
Store them out of reach of children and pets.
How to Store Different Types of Candles?
Each candle is unique.
So is the storage method for each candle type.
For example, taper candles require special care when compared with glass jar candles.
It’s very important to be aware of how to store each candle type.
Let’s dive right into it.
1. How to Store Taper Candles?
Taper candles are long and thin.
They are very sensitive to temperatures and get bent out of shape easily.
So, they must be wrapped properly in a paper tissue and then stored in heat-resistant containers.
They must be kept flat in the container to prevent going out of shape.
2. How to Store Jar Candles?
Jar candles are the easiest to store as they already come in containers.
The containers are usually heat-resistant. They can be stacked one on top of another carefully in a cupboard.
Be careful while stalking the candles. When you stack them properly in a glass cupboard, they would also look aesthetically pleasing.
3. How to Store Votive Candles?
Votive candles do not melt easily.
But they can stick together if they aren’t separately stored. Use a container or an organizer that has dividers in between.
Usually, jewelry organizers or egg cartons can be used for DIY storage purposes.
4. How to Store Pillar Candles?
Pillar candles are stronger than taper candles.
They do not melt easily. If they came along with a container, stalk them.
If not, wrap them separately in tissue paper and place them in a fire-resistant box.
5. How to Store Birthday Candles?
Do you hate it when the birthday candles are going for a toss after your kids’ birthday parties?
You need not worry anymore. They are easy to store.
They can be stored flat or upright.
If you own a bakery and have too many birthday candles, organize and sort them based on their color.
If not, store them in a small glass jar.
6. How to Store Wax Melts?
Wax melts are a safer option to consider for households with pets and toddlers.
Either store the wax melts in their original packages or place them in organizers with dividers to prevent them from sticking together.
Is There a Difference When Storing Unscented vs. Scented Candles?
The general rules to store the candles such as containers, temperature, etc. remain the same for both scented as well as unscented candles.
Since scented candles have added fragrances in the form of essential oils or other substances, they are prone to degradation faster.
So, you must take extra care to prevent their degradation.
Store the scented candles in jars with lids to prevent the loss of fragrance.
Always place them away from sunlight or any environment with dust.
Should I Store Candles Upside Down?
We all are aware of the horrible ‘mushroom wick’ issue that occurs with the candles.
To avoid this problem, there is a method called Slatkin’s method, which suggests how to store candles before lighting them up for the next use.
After burning the candle, let the molten candle wax solidify. Once the wax solidifies one hundred percent, turn the candle upside down to store.
Before lighting the candle for the next use, remove the charred part of the wick with a tissue.
This prevents the charcoal part of the wick from falling into the wax and ruining the candle.
Our verdict – go ahead with this method.
But when it comes to storing multiple long candles such as taper candles, it’s preferable to store them flat.
Does the Type of Candle Wax Affect How to Store It?
Yes, some candle waxes are prone to more degradation than others.
For example, natural waxes such as soy wax, coconut wax, etc., are organic.
Like any natural product, they are prone to rotting.
Candles with essential oils also have shorter expiration dates as each essential oil has a specific expiration date.
It’s important to store the natural waxes to prevent faster degradation. Store them away from sunlight, dust, and humidity.
Paraffin wax is made of petroleum. It has a longer shelf life. It won’t degrade as fast as the other waxes.
Beeswax has the longest shelf life and has a higher melting point.
So, the beeswax candles won’t melt as fast as the other waxes even if they are exposed to harsh conditions.
Final Remarks
Like any other commodity, it’s important to know how to store the candles and store them properly to increase their shelf life, prevent degradation and accidents.
We hope we covered all your questions on storing the candles.
Next time you meet a fellow candle lover, let them know how you store the candles and help them out too.
My name is Candice and I have always loved candles since I was a kid. I continue to buy candles and try out new candle brands to this day! I started this blog to share my love of candles so I’m glad you’re here and hope that my content helps you out in some way!
