Will candles melt in a car? Complete Candle Storage Guide

Candles are a popular way to create a relaxing and ambient atmosphere. Not only do they provide light, but they also emit a soothing scent that can make any room feel more comfortable. However, if you’re not careful, your candles can quickly melt due to the heat from the sun, excessive humidity in the air, or improper storage. In this guide, we will teach you how to prevent your candles from melting and where you should store them to keep them in good condition.

You should store your candles in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight and excessive humidity. If you live in a hot climate or your home is hot, it’s best to store your candles in a cool dark cupboard. Taking these precautions will ensure that your candles stay in good condition.

We will now review what temperatures different waxes melt at, how to prevent your wax from melting, which storage locations you should avoid and how to store different types of candles. Let’s get started!

What causes candles to melt?

Candles can melt for a variety of reasons. The main reason candles melt is because of the heat from the sun, humidity in the air, or improper storage. If you live in a hot climate or your home is hot, it’s essential to store your candles in a cool, dark place to prevent them from melting. Excessive humidity and direct sunlight can also cause candles to melt, so it’s essential to keep them out of these environments.

What temperature do candles melt at?

The melting point of your candle will highly depend on the wax that your candle is made from. All candles are not created equally, and it is essential to understand this information to understand your candle’s heat tolerance.

Below is a table with the melting points of each type of pure candle wax. Various factors can impact the melting point of candles, including whether the candle is a blend of two waxes or if the candle contains additives. These can significantly move the melting point in either direction meaning the candle will melt at lower or higher temperatures than those listed below.

If you are worried about your candle melting point and the below does not provide the information, reach out to the manufacturer. They will be able to tell you the melting point of your candle or candle wax. This will allow you to make the correct storage decisions for your candles. No one wants their candle to melt before it has even been lit, so take these precautions, and your candles will be as good as new!

How to prevent candles from melting?

Now that you know what causes candles to melt and the different melting points of various candle waxes, it’s time to learn how you can prevent your candles from melting.

There are a few things you can do to keep your candles in good condition and prevent them from melting:

• First, store your candles in a cool, dry place. If possible, store them in the coldest cupboard within your home.

• Second, keep them out of direct sunlight and excessive humidity.

• Third, ensure they are not near heat sources such as radiators or fires.

Following these simple steps can significantly reduce the risk of your candles melting. However, if you live in a hot climate or your home is hot, it’s best to store your candles in the coolest place you can find, or you can choose a wax with a higher melting point to avoid any melting issues.

Will your candles melt in these scenarios?

Softer waxes such as coconut wax may cause problems if left in environments that can get very hot. We will review several locations that can cause this below.

Will candles melt in a hot car?

Candles can melt in a hot car. If the temperature inside your vehicle reaches 100°F or higher, there is a risk that your candles will start to melt depending on the type of wax the candle is made from. You can reduce the risk by placing your candles away from direct sunlight.

You will want to avoid placing your candles near any car windows, on the car dashboard, and near areas such as the engine if the car is running. To have the greatest chance of your candles not melting in the car, place your candles under the car seat in a well-packaged container to avoid any damage.

So what is the likelihood of this happening?

Well, temperatures inside cars can exceed temperatures of 100°F, meaning candles are at risk of melting. Below you can see a graph that shows both the inside car temperature and the ambient temperature outside of the car. You will see that these temperatures are exceeded in all instances where the ambient temperature is over 73°F within 20 minutes of being stationary.

Below you can see a table of different waxes and their melting points compared to the ambient temperature of a car that will require the candle to melt. We have also included the time it would take for the candle to start melting. It should be noted that this analysis is based upon the lowest melting point within the candle wax range – some candle waxes will be at the higher end of the melting point spectrum. You will need to check this for your specific candle wax.

As you can see, beeswax and palm wax have minimal risk of melting in a car. At the same time, coconut and paraffin wax is far more susceptible to melting within a vehicle.

Will candles melt in a storage unit or pod?

Storage units can get very hot in the summer, and this heat can cause candles to melt. The wax used in the candle will determine the melting point and whether or not your candle will melt in a storage unit.

For example, beeswax has a melting point of around 144-149°F. This means that it will take a storage unit temperature of at least 144°F to cause the beeswax to start melting.

On the other hand, paraffin wax has a melting point of around 115-154°F. This means that it only takes a storage unit temperature of 115°F for some paraffin waxes to start melting. You can use the graphs and comparison table above to understand the ambient temperatures and how this will affect your candles.

Will candles melt in the sun?

Candles can melt in the sun. The sun emits a lot of heat, which can cause candles to start melting, primarily through a glass window. The wax used in the candle will determine the melting point and whether or not your candle will melt in the sun.

Use the melting point table above to determine the likelihood of your candle melting when placed in direct sunlight. We do not recommend placing softer waxes such as coconut and paraffin in direct sunlight on a hot day to avoid this issue.

Will candles melt in the mail?

Candles can melt in the mail. This is because candles are made of wax, which has a melting point. The temperatures that mail trucks and delivery vehicles reach can cause candles to start melting.

The wax used in the candle will play a role in the melting point, and the amount of time the candle spends in the mail system. For example, sending a paraffin wax candle in the mail is more likely to melt than a beeswax candle. Softer waxes are more susceptible to this issue.

You can use the table above to determine which candles are more likely to melt during transportation. We do not recommend sending softer waxes such as coconut and paraffin in the mail to avoid this issue if you live in hotter countries. You can determine this by the ambient temperature and the weather in your country.

Will candles melt in the attic?

The attic is a common place to store candles. However, the attic can get very hot in the summer, which can cause candles to start melting. The wax used in the candle will play a role in the melting point and how long the candle is stored in the attic.

You can use the table above to understand the ambient temperatures and how this will affect your candles. We do not recommend storing softer waxes such as coconut and paraffin in attics during the summer to avoid this issue.

Will candles melt in the garage?

The garage is another common place to store candles. However, the garage can also get very hot in the summer, above 100°F, which can cause candles to start melting. The wax used in the candle will play a role in the melting point and how long the candle is stored in the garage.

Paraffin wax has a melting point of around 115-154°F. This means it only takes a garage temperature of 115°F for some paraffin waxes to start melting. You can use the table above to understand the ambient temperatures and how this will affect your candles.

We do not recommend storing softer waxes such as coconut and paraffin in garages during the summer to avoid this issue.

Where to store different types of candles and waxes?

It is important to note that even the type of candle can impact the correct storage method. For example, pillar candles are more susceptible to melting than taper candles. This is because they have a larger surface area exposed to the surrounding environment. We will now discuss the different types of candles and the best methods to store these candles. This will ensure that you can keep your wax safe and protected from the elements.

Where to store pillar candles?

Pillar candles are one of the most popular types of candles. They come in various shapes and sizes and can be used for many occasions. However, as we noted above, they are more susceptible to melting than other types of candles. This is because they have a larger surface area exposed to the elements.

The best way to store pillar candles is in a cool, dry place. If possible, store them in the coldest cupboard within your home. You should also keep them out of direct sunlight and excessive humidity.

Due to the large exposed surface area, pillar candles are also susceptible to scratches and scuffs. To prevent this, it is essential to ensure that your pillar candles are wrapped in tissue paper. You can also store your pillar candles in a basket or storage container to stop your pillar candles from accidentally falling over and getting damaged. Store these candles on their side within the container to ensure they cannot topple over.

Where to store taper candles?

Taper candles should be stored in a cool and dry place, out of direct sunlight. If your home is hot, aim to store them in the coolest part of your house, such as a cool outside-facing cupboard. Be sure to keep them away from excessive humidity as well.

Like pillar candles, taper candles are likely to gain scraps and scuffs if not stored correctly. Wrapping them in tissue paper or storing them in a box will help keep them free from damage.

Where to store votive candles?

Regarding storage, you should know a few things about votive candles. Votives should be stored in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight or excessive humidity. It is increasingly essential to keep votives under cool conditions as they can melt together with other votives if left in hot temperatures.

It’s also essential to ensure that votives are correctly extinguished before storage. If they are not, they may continue to burn and could start a fire. When storing votives in the dark, dry and cool area, a handy trick for storage is an egg carton! It is perfect for making sure that your votive candles are separated in the scenario that melting does occur. This method will also prevent your candles from becoming damaged during storage.

Where to store container candles?

Container candles are less susceptible to melting and being damaged during storage. This is because they often are stored in a glass container that protects the wax from the elements. That being said, it is essential to keep your container candles in a cool and dry place, away from excessive humidity or direct sunlight, to avoid any potential issues that can arise from heat.

When storing container candles, be sure that the lids are tightly sealed. This will help prevent the wax from melting and allow your candles to retain their shape and scent. The best feature of container candles is that you can stack them, meaning they will take up less storage space around your house!

Where to store birthday candles?

Birthday candles are typically made of paraffin wax, which has a lower melting point than beeswax or soy wax. This means that birthday candles can start to melt at lower temperatures. For this reason, storing birthday candles in a cool and dry place, away from excessive humidity or direct sunlight, is essential.

Be sure to check the candles before using them to make sure they have not melted and deformed. It is also a good idea to keep birthday candles in their original packaging to prevent them from being damaged.

Where to store wax melts?

Wax melts are typically made of paraffin wax or soy wax, which have lower melting points than beeswax. For this reason, it is essential to store wax melts in a cool and dry place, away from excessive humidity or direct sunlight.

Check the wax melts before using them to ensure they have not melted and deformed. It is also a good idea to keep wax melts in their original packaging to prevent them from being damaged.

Like votives, they are likely to melt together if exposed to high heat levels if not stored correctly. This is another reason why it is essential to keep them in their original packaging or ensure that they are stored with a barrier separating each wax melt from its neighbouring melt.

Where to store essential oils?

These last two are not candles, but you may be interested in knowing how to store these key elements to make your living space smell fantastic all year round.

If you want to understand the best methods to store your essential oils, then we have the perfect article for you. We have written an entire article dedicated to how you should store your essential oils and how you can get the most out of your fragrances.

Where to store car air fresheners?

When it comes to storing car air fresheners, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Car air fresheners should be stored in a cool and dry place, away from excessive humidity or direct sunlight. If the air freshener is exposed to high temperatures, it can cause the fragrance to dissipate more quickly.

You will also want to ensure that they are kept within the original packaging to ensure that the air fresher does not lose its scent. Unfortunately, car air fresheners are susceptible to losing their fragrance quickly when exposed to the elements. If you have opened your air freshener and now do not need it, place it within a sealed freezer or lock bag to keep it fresh and fragrant the next time you want to use it.

Where should you store candles?

As discussed above, storing your candles in a cool, dry place is essential. If you live in a hot climate or your home is hot, the best place to store your candles would be in the coldest cupboard within your home.

Avoid storing your candles near any windows as the sun can cause them to melt. It would be best to avoid storing them near heat sources such as radiators or fires. These can cause the candles to soften and may even cause them to start melting.

Candles are a great way to add ambiance to any room, but it’s essential to take proper care of them to prevent accidents. By following the steps above, you can ensure your candles will be safe from melting.

Final Thoughts

We hope this article has helped you understand how to keep your candles from melting. By following the steps above, you can ensure your candles will be safe from melting. If you have any further questions, contact our experts at Kindled Craft. They would be happy to help you choose the right candles and waxes for your needs. Thanks for reading!