Jessie Taylor
The summer heat can be a challenge when it comes to keeping your candles in top condition. Candles are often made with materials like coconut wax and soy wax, which tend to melt in the summer heat. As a result, your favourite candles might melt, sweat, or become sticky. To prevent this, you can store your candles in a cool part of the house, ideally out of direct sunlight. If you have the original box, you can place the candle back inside and store it in a cool location. It's important to avoid drafts as they can cause issues like frosting and cracking, but you can use fans to circulate air and create a gentle breeze to keep your candles cool. Additionally, consider using candle lamps or warmers to enjoy the fragrance without the flame, especially during the hottest months. These simple tips can help you care for your candles and create a refreshing atmosphere during the summer.
How to keep candles cool in summer:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Store candles | In a cool, dry place, ideally out of direct sunlight |
| Use a fan | To circulate air and create a gentle breeze |
| Use an air conditioner | To create a cooler environment, around 20°C |
| Space candles out | To allow heat to dissipate |
| Use a candle lamp | To create fragrance without a flame |
| Trim the wick | To ensure an even melt |
| Use temperature-sensitive labels | To ensure packages are kept in the shade |
| Use thermal blankets | To insulate candles from heat during shipping |
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What You'll Learn
Store candles in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight
When storing candles, it is important to keep them in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. This will help to maintain their quality, structure, and aesthetic appeal.
Firstly, find a suitable location in your home that meets these criteria. Avoid storing candles near windows, heaters, radiators, space heaters, kitchen appliances, or other sources of heat and humidity. Instead, opt for a cool, dry place such as a cabinet or drawer in a room with a consistent temperature. If possible, choose a location away from direct sunlight or harsh indoor lighting, as sunlight can cause oxidation and degradation of dyes and fragrance oils in the wax, resulting in a faster loss of scent and colour.
When placing the candles in the chosen location, ensure they are stored upright in a sturdy box or container to prevent warping or bending. If you have taper candles, it is recommended to lay them flat, and if you have tealight candles, you can store them in a drawer or box. Keep scented candles separate from unscented ones to prevent fragrance mixing. Additionally, consider using bubble wrap or a soft cloth for additional protection, especially for delicate or uniquely shaped candles.
To further preserve the scent and keep dust and other airborne particles out, cover the candles when not in use. If your candles have lids, use them, or invest in a bell cloche to display and protect your candles simultaneously.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively store your candles in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, ensuring they maintain their appearance, scent, and performance for when you need them.
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Avoid refrigerators, as this can cause cracking
Keeping candles out of refrigerators is crucial, as the cold environment can cause cracking and uneven cooling. While it may seem like a quick fix to prevent melting in the summer heat, the drastic change in temperature is detrimental to the structure of candles.
Refrigerators are designed to maintain temperatures far below the ideal storage temperature for candles, which is generally considered to be around 18 to 25°C. When candles are exposed to the cold environment of a refrigerator, their wax can quickly cool down to the refrigerator's temperature. This rapid cooling can cause the wax to contract and crack, especially in the case of vegetable wax candles.
Additionally, the cold air in the refrigerator can cause uneven cooling of the candle. This happens because the cold air primarily affects the outer surface of the candle, causing it to cool faster than the inner sections. As a result, you may notice issues such as frosting, sinkholes, and cracking around the wick.
To avoid these issues, it's recommended to store your candles at room temperature or in a temperature-controlled environment. If you want to slow down the cooling process, you can place your candles in a cardboard box or lay them on a warm towel instead of exposing them to extreme cold. Maintaining a stable temperature is crucial to prevent cracking and other structural issues with your candles.
In summary, while it may be tempting to use a refrigerator to keep your candles cool during the summer, it's essential to avoid this practice due to the risk of cracking and uneven cooling. Instead, focus on maintaining a stable, moderate temperature for your candles to ensure their longevity and structural integrity.
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Use fans to circulate air and create a gentle breeze
When it comes to keeping candles cool in the summer, one effective strategy is to use fans to generate airflow and produce a gentle breeze. This approach is particularly useful when making candles during the warmer months. By strategically positioning fans in your workspace, you can circulate air and create a more pleasant environment.
The key is to maintain a consistent and gentle airflow. A soft breeze will help cool the candles without causing any adverse effects. It's important not to create a strong wind that could disturb the candles' setting process. Remember, the goal is to mimic a refreshing summer breeze, not a blustery storm!
When using fans, ensure they are placed at a comfortable distance from your candles. You don't want to blow the hot air directly onto the candles, as this could cause uneven cooling and potential issues. Instead, angle the fans towards the general area where the candles are placed, creating a pleasant, circulating breeze.
If possible, opt for fans with adjustable settings. This will allow you to control the airflow and intensity of the breeze. Start with a lower setting and gradually increase it until you find the perfect balance that encourages cooling without causing any disturbances.
For optimal results, combine the use of fans with other temperature-regulating strategies. Maintain a stable room temperature by closing curtains or blinds during the hottest parts of the day and utilizing natural shade. Additionally, consider making your candles during the cooler times of the day or in a temperature-controlled room to give your candles the best chance to set properly.
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Trim the wick before burning to prevent melting
Trimming the wick of a candle is an important step in candle care, especially during the hot summer months. By trimming the wick before burning, you can help prolong the life of your candle and prevent excess melting.
An untrimmed wick can lead to a large, hot flame that burns the candle too quickly and causes excess wax to melt. This is known as "tunneling". A trimmed wick helps to control the amount of fuel supplied to the flame, resulting in a smaller, steadier, and cleaner burn. It also helps to prevent the buildup of soot and the formation of a black "mushroom cap" above the flame.
To trim your wick, use sharp scissors or specialised wick trimmers to cut the wick down to a length of about 1/4 inch above the surface of the wax. This will ensure the wick is the correct length to provide a steady and even burn. If you trim the wick too short and it won't light, you can expose more wick by slowly melting the surrounding wax with a wand lighter and then pouring it out.
Trimming the wick is especially important for scented candles as it helps to maintain a consistent fragrance output, also known as its "throw". By keeping the wick trimmed, you can prevent the buildup of soot that can fall back into the wax and affect the scent.
In summary, trimming the wick of your candle before burning is a simple yet crucial step to prevent excess melting, ensure an even burn, and enhance the fragrance of your candle during the summer heat.
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Use candle lamps to avoid the flame and still enjoy the fragrance
If you want to enjoy the fragrance of your candles without the flame, consider using candle lamps. Candle lamps are a great way to fill your home with fragrance without the risk of fire. They are also a safer alternative to lit candles, especially during the hot summer months when candles are more likely to melt or become damaged.
Candle lamps typically have a vessel or bulb that warms the candle or wax melts, releasing the fragrance into the air. This method of fragrance diffusion is longer-lasting than burning a candle, as the wax melts slowly and evenly, allowing you to savour the scent. You can also control the intensity of the fragrance by adjusting the temperature of the lamp, creating a pleasant and consistent scent in your home.
Using a candle lamp is a safer option than burning a candle, especially during the summer. In hot weather, candles can start to melt, sweat, or become sticky, affecting their appearance and performance. By using a candle lamp, you eliminate the risk of fire and can better control the temperature, preventing damage to your candles. This is especially important if your candles are made with coconut wax, soy wax, or other materials that are more susceptible to melting in high temperatures.
Additionally, candle lamps offer a more consistent fragrance experience. Unlike burning a candle, which can be affected by airflow and temperature fluctuations, candle lamps provide a steady and controlled heat source. This ensures that your candle fragrance is evenly distributed throughout your space, creating a pleasant and inviting atmosphere.
Overall, using candle lamps is a great way to enjoy your favourite candle scents without the need for an open flame. It allows you to extend the life of your candles, maintain their appearance, and create a safe and consistent fragrance experience, especially during the hot summer months.
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Frequently asked questions
If you still have the original box, place your candle back inside and keep it in a cool part of the house. Avoid direct sunlight and drafts.
If your candle is sweating, don't worry. Take it out of the refrigerator and store it somewhere cool and dry.
To prevent your candle from melting, trim the wick and always let your candle melt evenly and properly. You can also use a candle lamp to create a fragrance without the flame.
Make your candles during the cooler parts of the day or in a temperature-controlled room. Use fans to circulate air or an air conditioner to create a gentle nudge of cool air, aiming for around 20 degrees Celsius.
Test your packaging with temperature-recording labels to see if it can protect your candles from the heat. Use temperature-sensitive labels to notify couriers of the package's heat sensitivity. Seal your candles in a thermal blanket before boxing them up.
