Chloe Adams
Candles are a great way to decorate your home and create a cosy atmosphere. Whether you're a collector or an occasional user, storing candles properly is essential to maintaining their scent, colour, and structure. There are several factors to consider when choosing a storage location, such as temperature, humidity, and light exposure. So, where are the best places to store your candles?
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What You'll Learn
Avoid heat and direct sunlight
When storing candles, it is imperative to keep them away from heat and direct sunlight. This is because fragrance oils and waxes are highly sensitive to heat. Even a little heat can cause tiny beads of "sweat" to form on the candle's surface. While this may not affect the candle's quality in the short term, storing candles in a cool place is best practice. An optimal temperature of below 27°C is recommended to prevent long-term overheating and scent degradation.
Keeping candles away from direct sources of heat, such as radiators, space heaters, kitchen appliances, or sunlight, is crucial. Storing them in the cooler rooms of your home is advisable. If you have extra space in your fridge, you can even store them there. However, it is important to note that you should never put candles in the freezer as this may damage the candle wick and cause the wax to crack or split.
Direct sunlight causes oxidation and degradation of the dyes and fragrance oils in the wax, resulting in the scent and colour of your candle fading faster. This rule also applies to other harsh sources of light, such as desk lamps and spotlights. Therefore, it is recommended to store candles in a dark location and cover them when they are not in use to preserve their fragrance and keep dust out.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that candles should always be placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface to prevent heat damage to underlying surfaces. By following these guidelines, you can effectively avoid the negative consequences of heat and direct sunlight exposure when storing your candles.
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Keep them in a cool, dark place
Keeping your candles in a cool, dark place is the number one rule for storing candles, according to Raffi Arslanian, owner of Thompson Ferrier, a New York-based luxury candle company. The ideal temperature is below 80 °F, and the colder the temperature, the better.
A basement storage room with low humidity is a good option for keeping your candles cool. If you don't have access to a basement, other cool areas in your home include a hallway cabinet, a linen closet, or an under-the-stairs closet. These spots are naturally cool and easily accessible when you're ready to light up.
If you live in an area that's warm year-round, your garage might not be the best place to store candles as it can get hot and cause the candles to melt and lose their scent. However, if your garage is climate-controlled, it can be a viable option.
Another tip to maintain the scent of your candles is to keep them in a sealed container, such as a plastic bag, to avoid fragrance escape and to prevent dust from settling on the candles. Additionally, using a coaster under stored candles is recommended by Arslanian to protect the surface from potential wax leaks.
Overall, by storing your candles in a cool, dark place, you can ensure that they stay in good shape and maintain their scent and colour.
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Store by candle type
When it comes to storing candles, safety should always come first. Ensure that your candles are stored away from flammable items and children or pets. Avoid storing candles in areas prone to leakage, such as under the bathroom or kitchen sink.
For pillar candles, avoid wrapping them, as they can stick to the wrapper and deform. Instead, stand them upright in a plastic or acrylic bin to protect the shelf they are stored on. For tapers, glass containers with a lid are suitable for storage, but avoid stacking them as they can easily fall over and break. Open glass jars can be placed in a plastic bag to maintain their scent and avoid dust.
If you have a large collection of candles, consider storing them in a central location, such as a linen closet or hallway cabinet, to keep them neat and tidy. Keeping like items together is also recommended.
For scented candles, it is important to keep them away from heat sources such as radiators, space heaters, or kitchen appliances, as excess heat may cause the wax to soften and the fragrance to fade. Store them in a cool, dark location with a consistent temperature between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Avoid humidity
When storing candles, it's important to keep them dry. Avoid areas with water, moisture, humidity, and condensation. For example, bathrooms and kitchens typically have higher humidity levels than other rooms, so it's best not to store candles in those areas. Similarly, avoid placing them in areas prone to leakage, such as under the sink.
To prevent candles from warping or bending, it's crucial to store them in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and harsh indoor lighting. Direct sunlight can cause oxidation and degradation of fragrance oils in the wax, resulting in a faded scent. Therefore, storing candles in a dark location, such as a cupboard or drawer, is recommended.
The ideal storage temperature for candles is between 50°F and 85°F (or below 27°C). Extreme temperatures can cause the wax to become brittle and crack or break. Additionally, high temperatures can cause candles to melt or warp, affecting their appearance and burning performance.
While a little sweating or "coconut wax beading" on your candle's surface is normal in a tropical climate, keeping your candles in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area will help prevent long-term overheating and scent degradation.
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Keep candles out of reach of children and pets
When storing candles, safety should always come first. It is important to keep candles out of reach of children and pets. Candles are a potential fire hazard, and curious children or playful pets could accidentally cause a fire if they are able to access them.
To keep candles out of reach, you could store them on a high shelf in a closet or cabinet. A hallway cabinet or linen closet are good choices as they are naturally cool and easy to access. If you opt for a hallway cabinet, you could use the bottom shelf to store oversized candle holders when they are not in use. If you don't have a suitable closet or cabinet, you could purchase an all-purpose storage bin or stackable clear bins to keep your candles out of reach.
If you have young children, you may want to consider a more secure storage option, such as a lockable cabinet or a high-up, enclosed storage space. Another option is to store your candles in a cool, dark place, such as a basement, to avoid attracting curious children or pets. However, be aware that basements can be damp, and candles should be stored in a low-humidity environment.
In addition to keeping candles out of reach, it is important to keep them away from flammable items and sources of heat, direct sunlight, and light.
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Frequently asked questions
The best place to store candles is somewhere cool, dry, and dark, such as a basement, hallway, linen closet, or cabinet. Candles should be stored away from heat sources, sunlight, and humidity to avoid damage and loss of fragrance.
Yes, covering your candles when storing them will help to maintain their scent and keep dust out. If you are storing candles in a jar, you can place the jar in a plastic bag to avoid oil seepage. Candles with lids are great, but for candles without lids, consider using a bell cloche.
Storing candles in the fridge is fine if you have the extra room and want to keep them extra cool. However, you should never store candles in the freezer, as this may damage the candle wick and cause the wax to crack or split.
Storing candles in their original packaging can help to protect them and maintain their scent. However, if you are storing multiple candles together, clear stacking bins or containers can be a good way to keep them organised and easily accessible.
