Storing Scented Candles: A Comprehensive Guide to Preventing Damage

Aromatic candles are no longer just a means of lighting nowadays, but have become a symbol of warmth, comfort, and luxury. Therefore, their quality and scent play an important role in promoting a feeling of calm, relaxation, or refreshment, depending on the type of essential oil used. However, the strength and quality of the fragrance present in the candles can be greatly affected by heat, light, and air, and thus the correct storage method becomes essential.

In this article, let us review the ideal way to store aromatic candles to protect them from damage, and then learn about the most common mistakes that some people make when manufacturing or storing.

What environmental factors affect the storage of aromatic candles?

Heat

Essential oils and candles are negatively affected by high temperatures, so do not store candles in places where the temperature exceeds 26 degrees Celsius.

Humidity

Humidity weakens the wax’s ability to stabilize essential oils and can form a sticky layer on the surface of the candle, affecting the quality of burning, so avoid storing it in damp areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Direct sunlight

Strong light, especially ultraviolet rays, accelerates the oxidation of essential oils and fading of the wax, so be sure to store candles in dark places or away from windows.

Golden tips for storing aromatic candles

• The ideal place for storage: Make sure to place candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or high heat sources, so cabinets or drawers are ideal places for storage.
• Airtight containers: Make sure to store candles inside glass or metal containers with tight lids to prevent them from being exposed to air and moisture, which ensures that their enchanting aroma is preserved and that they are greatly protected. You can wrap the candles in wax paper or cloth bags before storing.
• Separate candles from strong-smelling materials: Avoid placing candles near perfumes, household cleaners, and strong chemicals, due to the ability of candles to absorb strong odors.
• Arranging candles: It is important to arrange candles in an appropriate way, especially on hot days, and avoid stacking them on top of each other, so use pieces of cloth or parchment paper as spacers to protect the outer surface to prevent sticking or deformation.
• Purchase in moderate quantities: It is also necessary to purchase the quantities that you intend to use during this period, as keeping the candles for long periods may affect their aromatic effectiveness.
• Avoid low temperatures: Sudden changes in temperature cause candles to crack or destroy the composition of essential oils, so avoid storing candles in the refrigerator or freezer, and store them at room temperature provided that they are stable and dry.
• Cleaning candles before storing: The surface of candles must be cleaned of dust or impurities with a dry cloth before storing them, as dust affects the quality of combustion and the smell.

How to care for candles?

Now that we know how to store aromatic candles properly, it is important to take these points into consideration for candle care:

Trim the wick before each use:

Be sure to trim the wick to a length of 0.5cm before lighting the candle to maintain burn quality and prevent soot formation.

Melt the wax with each use:

Make sure the wax is all the way to the edges each time you burn your candles to avoid creating a hole in the middle.

Avoid drafts:

You should also avoid placing candles near windows or fans, as this reduces the stability of the flame and thus affects the spread of the scent.

Use a candle extinguisher:

Instead of blowing, use a candle extinguisher to preserve the wick and prevent the spread of smoke and burning odors.

Avoid long burning of candles:

Do not leave the candle burning for more than 4 hours as this burns out the essential oils faster.

Candle covers:

Candles should be covered with elegant covers when not in use to protect them from dust and enhance the decor of the place.

What are the best types of candles?

Our candle making supplies store provides all the different candles you need so you can easily make your favorite types:

Clear gel wax for molds

Transparent gel wax for molds is one of the favorite options for a large group of customers due to its wonderful glassy appearance, which enables you to add some decorative pieces to it to give beautiful visual effects. It can be reshaped, which makes it suitable for silicone, plastic and metal molds. It is able to withstand high temperatures without losing its texture or quality. You will find it in the transparent gel wax section, available at the best prices.

Sand wax

Sand wax is made from biodegradable materials, so it is safe and environmentally friendly. It does not require melting or heating to facilitate the shaping process. It also allows you to create creative drawings inside glass containers. It also does not produce annoying fumes, so it is ideal for home use. It is available in the sand wax section at the best prices.

Paraffin wax

Paraffin wax is one of the best types of paraffin wax due to its high purity and excellent quality to give the candles a clean and even burn. It is characterized by its good absorption of essential oils at a rate of up to 6% to ensure an even distribution of the scent. The hardness and luster can be adjusted by adding an appropriate percentage of stearic acid to reduce bubbles and enhance the appearance of the candles.

What are the common mistakes in candle making?

Small details can make a big difference in the quality of candles, especially storing aromatic candles incorrectly. Now let’s review some possible mistakes so you can avoid them every time you make or store candles:

• Choosing an inappropriate wick for the size of the candle: When choosing an inappropriate wick for the candle, this leads to many problems. If it is short, the candle will burn only in the middle, but if it is large, it may produce a huge flame and rapid combustion.
• Make sure to choose the wick according to the diameter of the candle and the type of wax used.
• Not adjusting the temperature of the wax: Overheating causes the essential oils to evaporate and lose the scent, while underheating causes clumping and affects the consistency of the wax.
• Therefore, you must use a double bath to gently heat the wax, adhere to the ideal temperature depending on the type of wax used, and add essential oils when the wax cools slightly at 65-70 degrees Celsius to maintain the strength of the scent.
• Excessive amounts of essential oils: Excessive oils may make the candle soft and weak in structure, leading to unstable burning and resulting in the emission of thick smoke.
• Therefore, the percentage of essential oils should not exceed 6-10% of the weight of the wax, while choosing oils intended for candle making.
• Pouring the wax before it has cooled sufficiently: Pouring very hot wax causes the formation of air bubbles and surface distortions, while rapid cooling causes cracks on the surface of the candle.
• After melting the wax, add the perfume and leave it to cool slightly, between 60-65 degrees Celsius, and be sure to pour the wax quietly in a place with a moderate temperature.
• Not preparing the molds well: Unclean molds cause distortions and bubbles in the candle, and not fixing the wick well leads to a skewed flame or unbalanced combustion.
• Therefore, it is recommended to install the wick using a metal base and adhesive tape, and clean the mold well using a clean cloth to ensure the candle’s surface is smooth.
• Storing aromatic candles incorrectly: As we mentioned previously, heat or humidity negatively affects the candle.
• Therefore, aromatic candles must be stored in a cool, dry place at a temperature not exceeding 25 degrees Celsius, staying away from humid places, and covering them with a tight lid or wrapping them in wax paper or in cloth bags.

Read also: Candle making mistakes.

Top frequently asked questions about storing scented candles

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We have now reached the end of our article, through which we learned how to store aromatic candles correctly to preserve their quality and distinctive scent, so follow the previously mentioned tips to preserve your aromatic candles at all times.

Have a question about this topic? Our team is ready to help on WhatsApp, or read the candle-making guide.