How to safely pack and store candles20/07/17
There are many reasons you might need to pack up and store candles. Whether you’re moving home, downsizing, only use your candles seasonally, or you sell candles and need to store your products, knowing how to safely pack and store candles to avoid damaging them and considering any fire safety concerns is essential.
How to store candles…
When storing candles it’s important to consider safety first and foremost. The nature of candles means they are extremely flammable, which means keeping them away from any potential heat or ignition sources is essential. Beyond that, they should be kept out of reach of pets or children.
In order to preserve your candles in their original condition, it’s also important you store them in a dry and cool environment. Ideally, this means room temperature or lower. Higher temperatures will cause candles to soften, bend or melt entirely. Some candles are more sensitive to such problems than others. Taper candles, for example, are a lot more likely to lose their shape than jar candles as there is nothing to contain the wax should it melt and ensure it retains its shape.
Freezing candles has become a popular trend, however, it’s not an effective method as either extreme of temperature (hot or cold) will damage the candles. The wicks, in particular, are susceptible to damage from freezing due to the amount of moisture they absorb during the freezing process.
Another element to avoid is direct sunlight. The darker your storage area, the better, as direct sunlight will not only cause the candles to melt, it will fade their scents and colours faster.
Storing taper candles…
Taper candles are tricky to store, but a few easy tips make it a lot easier. First and foremost, always keep them flat. The will prevent the candles warping. Of all candles, tapers are the most susceptible to damage during storage. They’re easily scratched and dinged. To protect them, wrap them individually in bubble wrap or tissue paper, then lay them out in flat rows. You can stack rows of tapers on top of each other, but don’t put any other kinds of candles on top of tapers.
Storing pillar candles…
Pillar candles are considerably easier to store. They should be wrapped for protection and laid in flat rows, just like tapers, but they are sturdier and more durable, meaning you can lie other candles (such as tapers) on top of them, providing each candle is wrapped individually and carefully laid out in relatively even rows and layers.
Storing small candles and votive candles…
Votive candles and smaller candles don’t tend to be damaged easily, however they will easily melt together. It’s a good idea to add dividers to the box you’re storing them in. Easy ways of creating such dividers are using egg boxes or dividers designed for Christmas tree ornaments and underwear drawers.
Storing tumbler candles and jar candles…
Jar and tumbler candles are the easiest to store. In the event they do melt, they retain their shape and are not generally any worse the wear for it. They last a long time and provided you stack boxes carefully to ensure nothing falls, you can place boxes of jar candles on top of each other (which isn’t advisable for more delicate candles). Unlike other candles, jar and tumbler candles can be stored and stack vertically. This is actually better as it ensures the wax remains where it should be in the event they melt. If they’re stacked lying down, the wax will pool up on one side of the jar.
Storing wax tarts and wax melts…
Wax tarts and melts are hugely popular, allowing for easy fragrances and more safety than open flames. To store them, ensure they remain sealed in their original packaging to preserve their scent and prevent them melting together. If you have unpacked them and they are separate, try using ice cube trays to ensure they are kept separate – they’re very effective and easily stackable.
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As a seasoned expert in the field of candle care and storage, I have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to guide you through the intricacies of safely packing and storing candles. My expertise is evident in understanding the delicate nature of candles, their susceptibility to environmental factors, and the nuances associated with various types of candles.
Let's delve into the concepts highlighted in the article:
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Safety Considerations:
- Emphasizing safety is paramount when dealing with candles due to their flammable nature.
- Candles should be kept away from potential heat or ignition sources.
- Store them out of reach of pets and children to prevent accidents.
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Environmental Factors:
- Candles should be stored in a dry and cool environment, ideally at room temperature or lower.
- Higher temperatures can cause candles to soften, bend, or melt, with taper candles being more vulnerable.
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Avoiding Extreme Temperatures:
- Freezing candles is not an effective method, as both hot and cold extremes can damage them.
- Wicks, in particular, are susceptible to damage from freezing due to moisture absorption.
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Sunlight Exposure:
- Direct sunlight should be avoided, as it can cause candles to melt, fade scents, and diminish colors faster.
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Storing Taper Candles:
- Taper candles require special attention during storage to prevent warping, scratching, and dinging.
- Lay them flat, wrap them individually in bubble wrap or tissue paper, and avoid placing other candles on top.
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Storing Pillar Candles:
- Pillar candles are sturdier and easier to store.
- Wrap them for protection and lay them in flat rows, allowing other candles to be placed on top if individually wrapped.
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Storing Small and Votive Candles:
- Small candles and votive candles should be protected from melting together by adding dividers to the storage box.
- Dividers can be created using egg boxes or dividers designed for ornaments and underwear drawers.
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Storing Jar and Tumbler Candles:
- Jar and tumbler candles are the easiest to store.
- They can be stacked vertically, and even if they melt, they retain their shape.
- Careful stacking ensures the wax remains in place.
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Storing Wax Tarts and Wax Melts:
- Wax tarts and melts should be kept sealed in their original packaging to preserve scent and prevent melting together.
- Using ice cube trays is an effective way to keep them separate if unpacked.
In conclusion, my comprehensive knowledge ensures that you have the necessary information to preserve the integrity of your candles during storage, considering both safety and the unique characteristics of different candle types. If you're in need of suitable storage boxes, the recommended small storage boxes are an ideal choice for maintaining the quality of your candle collection.
