Candles can be a great decorative accent and provide wonderful ambiance to any room. However, they also come with some safety concerns that need to be properly addressed. Knowing the right place to store candles is essential for reducing fire hazards and getting the most out of your candle collection. This article will examine the best places to keep candles in your home along with tips for proper candle storage and safety.
Should Candles Be Kept in the Original Packaging?
When you first purchase candles, they often come wrapped in plastic or paper packaging. This raises the question – is it best to leave candles in their original packaging or take them out? Here are some quick pros and cons to consider:
Pros of leaving candles in original packaging:
– Protects candles from dust, dirt and moisture
– Prevents scent loss from the candle evaporating
– Original packaging may be decorative or gift-worthy
Cons of leaving candles in packaging:
– Harder to identify and access each candle
– More difficult to monitor candle condition over time
– Packaging takes up more space than just the candle itself
In most cases, it is recommended to remove the candles from their original packaging if you plan to use them yourself. The packaging can always be saved in case you want to gift or re-sell the candles later. Taking candles out makes them easier to use and monitor.
Should You Keep Candles in a Drawer or Cabinet?
Stashing candles away in a drawer or cabinet may seem like a convenient storage solution. However, this can actually be a fire hazard. Here’s why cabinets and drawers are not the best place for candles:
Cons of keeping candles in drawers/cabinets:
– Not enough ventilation which can cause candle to overheat
– Harder to detect if candle is leaning or getting too close to combustible materials
– Out of sight, out of mind. Forgetful owners may light cabinet-stored candles unsafely.
– Wax can leak and stain interior of drawers or cabinet
Instead of tucking candles away out of sight, they are better kept in open, visible areas like shelves or candleholders. This improves airflow and makes it easier to monitor candle positioning.
What About Storing Candles in the Refrigerator or Freezer?
Some candle enthusiasts recommend keeping candles in the refrigerator or freezer for optimum freshness. This is to extend the candle’s shelf life by preserving the scent and smooth texture. However, this storage tip comes with some warnings:
Downsides to storing candles in the fridge/freezer:
– Candles can pick up food smells from fridge contents
– Wax can become too brittle in freezer and crack
– Rapid temperature changes can cause wax to sweat or frost
– Requires clearing space that could be used for food items
While cold storage can prolong a candle’s shelf life, it is not required. Leaving candles at room temperature out of direct sunlight will suffice for most homeowners. Only use the refrigerator or freezer if you have ample space and keep candles tightly sealed.
Are Bathrooms a Good Place for Candles?
With their damp, humid environment, bathrooms may seem like a poor choice for candle storage. However, if certain precautions are taken, bathrooms can be an ideal candle spot. Here are some tips for safe bathroom storage:
– Place candles up high, away from tub and sink splashes
– Opt for candles in jars vs. columns to avoid tipping
– Never leave burning candles unattended in the bathroom
– Avoid moving candles once they are lit
– Keep wicks trimmed to 1⁄4 inch to prevent smoking
– Store candles away from towels, rugs or shower curtains
Bathrooms make a great place to enhance your self-care rituals with candles as long as common sense safety rules are followed. Keep wicks short, position candles carefully and never walk away from a burning candle in the bathroom.
What’s the Deal with Candles and Kitchens?
Kitchens are another potentially problematic place for candles. However, with careful positioning, kitchen candle storage can work. Here are some dos and don’ts:
Do:
– Keep candles on a high open shelf away from heat and steam
– Choose candles with scents that complement your cooking
– Store candles away from towels, curtains or combustibles
– Opt for sturdy candle holders that won’t get knocked over
Don’t:
– Put candles near the stove or on the countertop where they can get splashed
– Leave burning candles unattended in the kitchen
– Allow candles around children or pets who could knock them over
The kitchen is prone to steam, grease splatters and busy activity. Position candles carefully away from hazards and never leave a burning candle unattended when cooking.
Are Candles Safe to Keep in the Bedroom?
Candles make wonderful additions to bedrooms, promoting relaxation and romance. However, the bedroom poses some potential fire risks for candles. Here are some tips for safe candle use in the bedroom:
– Place candleholders on a sturdy, non-flammable surface like a metal tray
– Never put candles on bedside tables with books, papers or other combustibles
– Avoid moving candles once they are lit
– Never leave burning candles unattended
– Extinguish candles before falling asleep
– Keep pets and kids away from lit candles
Bedrooms are a high-risk zone for falling asleep with candles still burning. Extinguish candles before getting into bed and position them safely away from bedding, curtains or furniture in sturdy candleholders.
Where Should You Store Candles Long-Term?
When storing candles for extended periods of time, you’ll need to take steps to maximize their shelf life. Here are some tips:
– Keep candles in a cool, dry place away from heat and moisture
– Store candles in an airtight container to prevent dust buildup
– Wrap candles individually in tissue paper to prevent scent mixing
– Choose a dark spot out of direct sunlight to store candles
– Avoid temperature fluctuations that could cause wax sweating
– If storing for years, keep wicks in a separate airtight container
A closet, pantry or basement storage room make good spots for long-term candle storage. Keep candles wrapped and in airtight containers in a consistent, moderate temperature environment.
What About Candle Storage for Candle Making?
Avid candle makers need ample space to store candle wax, wicks, jars, scent oils and dye. Here are some candle making storage suggestions:
– Store wax in cool area away from heat to prevent melting
– Use airtight plastic bins or jars to prevent wax absorption of other scents
– Keep wicks in an airtight container to maximize longevity
– Position bottles of scent/dye oils together in a cool, dark cupboard
– Store any glass jars or containers carefully to prevent breakage
– Label all candle making supplies clearly for easy identification
– Invest in sturdy shelving and storage racks to neatly organize supplies
Proper storage of candle making materials will make projects easier and prevent wasted supplies. Label everything clearly and invest in quality storage containers.
What Kind of Shelving is Best for Candles?
The right shelving can beautifully display candles while keeping them safe. Consider these shelving tips:
– Open, ventilated shelves are better than enclosed cabinets
– Sturdy materials like wood, metal or stone work best
– Adjustable shelves allow flexible candle arrangements
– Shelves should be high enough to keep pets/kids away
– Avoid shelving above radiators, stoves or heating vents
– Enclosed cabinets can work if doors are kept open when candles are lit
Look for shelving that is sturdy, adjustable and positioned safely away from heat sources. Make sure cabinets have ventilation holes if candles will be stored inside.
What Safety Rules Apply to Candle Displays?
If your goal is to create an eye-catching candle display, follow these safety guidelines:
– Never leave burning candles unattended in a display
– Position candles out of reach of children and pets
– Avoid clustering too many candles close together
– Choose non-flammable surfaces like stone, metal or glass
– Keep all combustible materials like curtains away from lit candles
– Don’t overload shelves to prevent tipping from vibrations
– Maintain a minimum of 12 inches between candle flames
– Extinguish all candles before leaving the room
Beautiful candle displays can safely enhance any space as long as good fire safety practices are followed. Cluster candles loosely, use non-flammable surfaces, and keep combustibles away.
Tips for Storing and Displaying Votive Candles
The small size of votive candles makes storage and display unique. Here are votive candle tips:
– Store unused votives upright in a resealable plastic bag
– Display burning votives in glass or metal holders with at least 1 inch between candles
– Choose deep votive holders that are tip-resistant
– Position votive displays on sturdy non-flammable surfaces
– Avoid piling burning votives close together which can cause wax pooling
– Extinguish all votives before leaving display unattended
– Store votive holders neatly when not in use
Groupings of votive candles make striking displays. Just be sure to use proper holders spaced safely apart and extinguish votives before walking away.
How Should You Store Candle Wax Melts?
Candle wax melts offer versatility in fragrance options. Store these melts properly by:
– Keeping melts in an airtight container to retain scent
– Storing away from heat, humidity or direct light
– Placing wax paper between layers of melts to prevent sticking
– Organizing melts by fragrance in labeled containers or bags
– Choosing containers sturdy enough to prevent melts from getting crushed or damaged
– Keeping melts away from other strong-smelling items like scented soaps or cleaning products
Proper storage keeps wax melts from losing potency. Use sealed containers in cool, dry storage areas and organize melts neatly by fragrance.
What About Storage Temperature – Does It Matter?
Candle wax is sensitive to temperature fluctuations. To maximize shelf life:
– Store candles around room temperature between 60-80°F
– Avoid temperature swings that could cause frosting or sweating
– Prevent wax from getting too warm above 85°F as this can accelerate scent loss
– Don’t let wax get too cold below 55°F which can make the wax rigid and cracked
– Keep candles away from heating/cooling vents, windows or drafty doors
Moderate room temperature between 60-80°F provides ideal candle storage. Consistent temperatures prevent damage from wax sweating and cracking.
How Long Can You Safely Store Candles?
With proper storage, candles can retain their scent and texture for years. General storage timelines:
– Unused candles store best within 1-2 years
– Keep wicks in airtight containers if storing over 2 years
– Watch for signs of drying, frosting, sweating or bendable wicks
– Older candles may need trimmed wicks to prevent tunneling
– Scent strength will diminish over time
– Discard candles with any mold, discoloration or odd smells
While candles can technically last for many years, optimal fragrance and burn quality is achieved within 1-2 years of production. Monitor older candles closely.
Conclusion
Properly storing candles helps maintain their quality while reducing fire risk. The best storage places keep candles visible, at room temperature, away from humidity, light, heat and flame hazards. By following common sense safety tips, organizing your candle collection neatly, and monitoring candle conditions over time, you can safely enjoy candles in your home for years to come. Always practice fire safety and never leave burning candles unattended. With the right storage and care, candles can provide beautiful ambiance and scent in any room.
