How to Properly Care for and Store Your Soy Wax Candle Collection

Soy wax candles are cherished for their clean burn, beautiful scents, and eco-friendly appeal. However, like any high-quality product, they require proper care and storage to ensure they last and perform their best. Whether you have a growing candle collection or simply want to get the most out of each candle, taking a little extra care will help preserve both its longevity and fragrance.

Why Proper Care and Storage Matter

Caring for your soy wax candles properly is essential for maintaining their quality over time. Without the right attention, your candles may burn unevenly, lose their fragrance, or even melt prematurely if stored incorrectly. Proper care ensures that your candles burn longer, more evenly, and with a consistent, pleasant scent. Additionally, taking care of your candles ensures a cleaner burn, which is healthier for your home environment.

Burning Your Candle Correctly

The way you burn your candle from the start can affect its overall performance and lifespan. We have some expert tips on how to ensure a clean, long-lasting burn:

The First Burn is Crucial: When you burn your soy wax candle for the first time, it’s important to allow the wax to melt evenly across the entire surface. This helps to prevent “tunnelling,” where wax around the wick melts straight down, leaving unused wax on the sides. For the best result, let the first burn last 2-4 hours, or until the top layer of wax has melted evenly.

Burn Time: Avoid burning your soy candle for too long in one sitting. Ideally, you should limit burns to around 3-4 hours at a time to ensure an even burn and avoid overheating the wax, which can diminish the scent.

Trimming the Wick: Before each use, trim the wick to about ¼ inch (6mm). Keeping the wick short prevents the flame from growing too large, which can cause smoking, soot, and an uneven burn. A proper wick length promotes a clean and steady flame, prolonging the life of your candle.

Avoiding Drafts and Overheating

The environment in which you burn your candle can significantly impact its performance. Soy wax candles, while clean-burning, are still sensitive to airflow and temperature.

Keep Away from Drafts: Ensure your candle is placed away from windows, fans, or air vents. A constant draft will cause the flame to flicker, leading to an uneven burn and potentially more soot than usual.

Avoid Overheating: Soy wax is softer than paraffin, and exposing your candles to heat sources (such as near radiators, stoves, or in direct sunlight) can cause the wax to melt or warp. Store and burn your candles in a stable environment with moderate temperatures to preserve their shape and scent.

Cleaning Candle Jars and Reusing Containers

Once your soy wax candle in a jar has burned down, you may want to reuse the container. Cleaning out leftover wax is simple with the right approach:

Removing Leftover Wax: If there’s a small amount of wax left at the bottom of the jar, place the candle in the freezer for a few hours. The cold will cause the wax to contract, making it easier to pop out. Alternatively, you can pour hot (but not boiling) water into the jar to soften the wax for removal.

Repurposing Candle Containers: Once clean, the jars from soy wax candles can be repurposed in many creative ways. Use them as plant pots or storage containers for small items. This is a great way to reduce waste and extend the life of your candle container.

Storing Your Soy Wax Candles

Proper storage is key to ensuring that your soy wax candles last, particularly if you’re not planning to burn them immediately or you have a collection. Here’s how to store them correctly:

Cool, Dark Places: Soy wax is sensitive to temperature changes, so storing candles in a cool, dark place helps prevent the wax from softening or the fragrance from fading. A cupboard or drawer away from direct sunlight is ideal.

Avoiding Humidity: High humidity can affect the texture of the wax and the quality of the scent. Store your candles in a dry place to avoid moisture build-up, which could damage the candle over time.

Keeping Them Covered: If your candles come with lids, keep them on when not in use. This helps to protect the wax from dust and ensures the scent remains fresh for longer. If your candle doesn’t have a lid, consider wrapping it in a clean, dry cloth or storing it in an airtight container.

Keeping the Scent Fresh

One of the biggest joys of soy wax candles is their long-lasting fragrance, but it’s important to store them properly to preserve this:

Seal Them in Airtight Containers: To prevent the scent from fading or being absorbed by other materials, store your candles in airtight containers or wrap them in plastic wrap or foil. This creates a barrier between the candle and external elements, keeping the scent intact.

Rotate Your Collection: If you have a collection of candles, it’s a good idea to rotate them. By regularly burning different candles, you’ll keep them fresh and prevent any one candle from sitting unused for too long.

Handling Soy Wax in Warmer Weather

Soy wax’s lower melting point makes it more susceptible to heat, particularly in warmer climates or during summer. Here’s how to protect your candles:

Store in Cooler Areas: Keep your candles in cooler parts of your home, such as a basement, pantry or cupboard away from heat sources. Avoid leaving them in hot spaces, like near windows, as the wax can soften or melt.

If Your Candle Melts: If your candle has softened or melted slightly, let it cool and reset at room temperature. In most cases, it will re-solidify without any long-term damage.

Travel and Moving with Your Candle Collection

Whether you’re relocating or taking a candle with you on holiday, proper packing is important to protect your candles:

Wrap Candles Individually: When packing, wrap each candle in tissue paper or bubble wrap to protect them from bumps and impacts. This prevents the containers from cracking or the wax from being damaged.

Avoid Heat During Transport: If you’re travelling during warmer months, try to keep your candles in an insulated bag or cooler area of your vehicle to avoid exposure to extreme heat. This will help preserve the integrity of the wax during transport.

Looking After Your Candles

By following these care and storage tips, you’ll keep your soy wax candle collection looking and performing at its best. From burning them correctly to storing them in the right environment, a little extra attention goes a long way in preserving their beauty, scent, and longevity. Properly cared for, your soy wax candles will remain a soothing and sustainable addition to your home for many cosy evenings to come.