How to Properly Store Candles (So They Look & Smell Great)

Candles do more than add fragrance—they set moods, elevate spaces, and create moments. Whether you’re saving a seasonal scent for later, building a small collection, or stocking up on your favorites, how you store your candles matters. Improper storage can alter fragrance, discolor wax, and even affect how evenly your candle burns.

At Embery Candles, we craft our products with all-natural wax and fresh fragrance oils, which means proper care helps preserve quality even longer. Here’s everything you need to know about how to properly store candles to protect scent, appearance, and performance.

Candles may look simple, but they’re sensitive to their environment. Heat, light, air, moisture, and temperature changes can all impact:

 • Fragrance strength

 • Wax texture and color

 • Burn quality

 • Overall lifespan

Good storage keeps your candles looking beautiful and smelling fresh from the first light to the last.

The ideal temperature range for candle storage is between 60°F and 75°F whenever possible.

Why temperature matters:

 • Heat can cause wax to soften, warp, or melt

 • Cold temperatures can make wax brittle or crack

 • Repeated temperature swings can lead to frosting or sweating

Best places to store candles:

 • A bedroom dresser

 • A linen closet

 • A bookshelf away from direct heat

 • A storage bin in a temperature-controlled room

Avoid storing candles in:

 • Attics

 • Garages

 • Cars

 • Near stoves, ovens, or radiators

Even short exposure to heat—like leaving a candle in your car for an afternoon—can change how it looks and performs.

Sunlight is one of the biggest enemies of candle longevity.

What sunlight can do:

 • Fade candle color

 • Weaken fragrance oils

 • Cause uneven wax texture

 • Soften labels or distort jars

Even through a window, UV rays can degrade fragrance quickly. Always store candles in shaded or enclosed spaces when they’re not being used.

Dust doesn’t just affect appearance—it can interfere with how your candle burns.

Best ways to protect candles:

 • Keep lids on when available

 • Store in original boxes or dust-free containers

 • Use storage bins with secure covers

 • Place candles inside drawers or closed cabinets

For candles already on display, gently wipe the surface with a clean, dry cloth before lighting to remove debris.

Always store candles upright on a flat surface.

Storing candles sideways or at an angle can:

 • Distort wax shape

 • Shift fragrance oils unevenly

 • Cause uneven burning when lit later

This is especially important for jar candles, pillars, and containers with soft wax blends.

Strong fragrances can subtly influence nearby items—and even other candles.

If you store many candles together:

 • Separate heavy fragrances (like firewood, spice, or cologne-style scents) from lighter ones (like citrus, linen, florals)

 • Use individual boxes or dividers in bins

 • Avoid storing candles near towels or fabrics that can absorb scent

This helps preserve each candle’s intended fragrance profile.

Fragrance oils are volatile by nature. Over time, exposure to air can slowly weaken scent strength.

To minimize air exposure:

 • Always replace lids after burning

 • Avoid leaving uncovered candles out for long periods

 • Store unused candles in closed containers or boxes when possible

This is especially important if you’re saving seasonal or limited-edition candles for future use.

Many candle lovers rotate collections by season—fresh scents in spring and summer, warm and cozy scents in fall and winter. If you’re storing candles long-term, these steps are key:

 1. Let candles cool completely after their last burn

 2. Trim the wick before storing

 3. Clean the rim of any soot or residue

 4. Seal with a lid or place in original packaging

 5. Store in a dark, dry, temperature-controlled space

Properly stored candles can stay fresh for 12–24 months or longer without noticeable scent loss.

Humidity is often overlooked, but it plays a role—especially for all-natural wax candles.

High humidity can:

 • Encourage wax sweating

 • Affect wick performance

 • Create condensation inside jars

To prevent moisture issues:

 • Avoid storing candles in bathrooms

 • Use silica packets inside storage containers

 • Keep candles in dry rooms with good airflow

Short answer: No—this isn’t recommended for long-term storage.

Extreme cold can:

 • Cause wax to crack

 • Affect fragrance dispersion

 • Create condensation when removed

While some people briefly chill candles to loosen wax from containers, this isn’t meant for storage and should only be done carefully and temporarily.

If your candles have decorative finishes, specialty labels, or themed designs:

 • Store them individually when possible

 • Avoid stacking without padding

 • Use soft cloth or packaging between candles

 • Keep weight off lids and labels

This prevents scuffing, peeling, or pressure damage that can affect presentation—especially important for gift-ready candles.

If you’re short on storage, here are a few smart solutions:

 • Use drawer inserts or dividers

 • Stackable clear bins for easy visibility

 • Decorative storage boxes

 • Under-bed storage with temperature control

 • Closet shelving units away from heat

Just remember: cool, dark, clean, and dry is always the goal.

If you’re unsure how a candle was previously stored, here are a few signs it may have been exposed to poor conditions:

 • Wax sweating or oil pooling

 • Discoloration or fading

 • Cracked wax surface

 • Weak scent throw when lit

 • Warped containers

In many cases, candles are still safe to use—but performance and appearance may be affected.

Storing candles properly isn’t complicated—but it does make a difference. A few thoughtful habits can help preserve fragrance strength, visual beauty, and burn quality for months or even years.

At Embery Candles, every candle is crafted with all-natural wax and poured in small batches in our Tampa studio. Proper storage ensures that when you’re ready to light your candle—whether it’s tonight or next season—it performs exactly as intended.

Because the right candle, at the right moment, is all about the experience. Shop our most popular collections.