The Best Ways To Store Candles While Curing

Candles are a great way to create a cosy atmosphere, but they require proper care and storage to maintain their quality and fragrance. When storing candles, it is important to prioritise safety by keeping them away from flammable items and placing them out of reach of children and pets. To prevent wax from melting or softening, store candles in a cool, dry, and dark location, such as a cupboard, basement, or hallway cabinet. Avoid direct sunlight and sources of heat, such as radiators or kitchen appliances, as they can cause discolouration and scent degradation. Additionally, wrapping candles in tissue paper can help prevent scuff marks and sticking, while using airtight containers or resealable bags can protect them from dust and moisture. Proper candle storage ensures that they remain in good condition and prolongs their shelf life, allowing you to enjoy their fragrance and ambiance for a longer period.

Keep candles in a cool, dry place

Keeping candles in a cool, dry place is essential for their preservation. While candles can be stored for an extended period, their shelf life can be shortened by improper storage. The ideal storage temperature for candles is room temperature or below, in a place where the temperature does not fluctuate. Avoid storing candles in areas that are too hot, such as near radiators, space heaters, or kitchen appliances, as this can cause the wax to melt or leach. Extreme temperatures can also cause the candle to bend or soften, affecting its finish and burn.

Direct sunlight is another factor to consider when storing candles. Sunlight can cause the candle to melt, and it can also bleach dyed candles, leaving them faded or discoloured. Therefore, it is best to store candles in a dark location, such as a cupboard, basement, or hallway cabinet. If storing candles in a basement, ensure that it is dry, as excessive moisture can affect the candle's texture and cause the wick to become damaged.

To further protect candles from the effects of temperature and sunlight, they can be stored in an airtight container or resealable bag. This will also help to keep them dust-free and preserve their scent. For taper candles, wrapping them in tissue paper before placing them in a box or basket can help to prevent scratching and warping. Jar candles are less sensitive to temperature fluctuations and can be safely stacked or stored in a box or basket.

In addition to temperature and sunlight, candles should be stored away from children and pets and anything flammable. It is also important to rotate older candles to the front of your stash to ensure they are used first and to periodically assess your candle collection to use older candles before they lose their scent or become less effective.

Avoid direct sunlight

When storing candles, it is important to keep them away from direct sunlight. This is because candles are sensitive to heat. Sources of direct heat, such as radiators, space heaters, or kitchen appliances, can cause candles to melt or sweat. This can also damage the fragrance oils, causing the candle to put off soot.

To avoid this, store your candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and any other heat sources. A basement or cupboard is ideal, as these areas tend to be dark and maintain a consistent temperature. If you wish to display your candles while storing them, consider investing in a bell cloche or a glass cloche. This will protect your candles from dust and debris while maintaining a consistent fragrance profile.

If you are storing candles that are not yet fully cured, it is especially important to keep them out of direct sunlight. Curing is the process by which a candle's scent and colour fully develop. This process typically takes one to two weeks, although it can vary depending on the type of wax and fragrance used. Environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity, can also affect how candles cure. By storing candles in a cool, dark place during the curing process, you can help ensure that the fragrance and colour develop correctly.

Overall, by keeping your candles away from direct sunlight and other sources of heat, you can maintain their quality and prevent melting, sweating, and damage to the fragrance oils.

Protect candles from dust

When storing candles, it is important to keep them away from heat sources and direct sunlight. This is because fragrance oils and waxes are sensitive to heat. Therefore, storing candles in a cool, dry, and dark location, such as a cupboard or basement, is recommended.

To protect candles from dust, one can use lids during the curing process. This method is favoured by those who prioritise cleanliness and fragrance control. Lids help to maintain a consistent fragrance profile by minimising exposure to environmental variables such as light and air, which can degrade the integrity of fragrance oils over time. Alternatively, one can invest in an elegant bell cloche to display the candles while keeping them dust-free.

Another way to protect candles from dust is to wrap them securely in tissue paper. This will create a barrier between the wax and its surroundings, making it easier to remove the candles from storage later on. Additionally, ensuring that the candle-making container is thoroughly cleaned to remove any dust or residue before pouring the wax can also help to prevent dust from becoming embedded in the finished product.

Proper candle storage is essential not only for maintaining the quality and longevity of the candles but also for safety reasons. For example, blowing out candles is a popular but unsafe method as it can cause hot wax to splatter and the flame to reignite. Instead, using a candle snuffer is recommended to safely extinguish the flame without causing smoke or wick damage.

Store candles away from flammable items

When storing candles, safety should be the top priority. It is important to store candles away from flammable items, children, and pets. Candles should be kept in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Avoid storing them in areas with high humidity, as this can affect the quality of the wax.

To prevent softening, bending, or melting, candles should be stored at room temperature or below. Direct sunlight can cause candles to melt and can also cause their colours and scents to fade faster. Therefore, it is recommended to store candles in a dark location, such as a cupboard, basement, or hallway cabinet.

To further protect candles from their surroundings and make them easier to remove from storage, they can be wrapped in tissue paper. This is especially important for taper candles, which are the most sensitive type of candle and can easily get scratched or dinged. Pillar candles should be stored upright to maintain their shape, while taper candles should be stored flat to prevent warping.

It is also important to consider the fragrance of the candle when storing. Scent molecules constantly evaporate from the wax, even when the candle is not burning. To preserve the scent, candles should be covered when not in use and stored in an airtight container or resealable bag. This will also help to keep dust and moisture out.

Keep candles out of reach of children and pets

When storing candles, safety should always come first. Keep candles out of reach of children and pets. Candles are a fire hazard, and curious children or playful pets could accidentally cause a fire. Additionally, the hot wax can cause burns if spilled on the skin. Therefore, it is important to store candles in a safe place, such as a high shelf or a closed cabinet, that is out of reach and not easily accessible to young family members and furry friends.

Candles should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark location, such as a cupboard, basement, or hallway cabinet. Avoid storing them in areas with high humidity, as this can affect the quality of the wax. Keep them away from heat sources such as radiators, space heaters, or kitchen appliances, and direct sunlight, as this can cause the wax to melt or soften.

To further protect your candles while they cure and to ensure they last longer, consider wrapping them individually in tissue paper before placing them in a box or basket. This will prevent them from sticking together, getting scratched, or accumulating dust. If you plan to store them for an extended period, use airtight containers or resealable bags to maintain their scent and keep them away from fragrance oils and waxes, as these are sensitive to heat.

Additionally, it is important to store candles separately by size and type to make them easily accessible and usable. For example, you may want to group pillar candles by size and type (scented vs unscented) and store taper candles flat to prevent warping. Finally, remember to periodically rotate and use older candles to enjoy their full potential before they lose their scent or become less effective.

Frequently asked questions