Do You Use Candles In The Summer?
Welcome to the warmest season!
Summer brings sunshine, outdoor fun, and longer days. But did you know candles can be enjoyed all summer long? It may seem counterintuitive to light candles when it’s hot out. However, there are many great reasons to burn candles even in warm weather.
This article explores how to make the most of candles during the summer months. We’ll go over the benefits of summer candles, from masking smells to decorative purposes. You’ll find tips on choosing the right summer candle scents, safely using candles outdoors, and fun summer crafts with candles.
By the end, you’ll see that candles aren’t just for winter. Read on to learn why and how to use candles to enhance your summer!
Reasons To Use Candles in Summer
There are two main reasons why people use scented candles during the summer months. First, candles help to set a relaxing ambiance and mood, which can be especially welcome in the warmer summertime. The aromatherapy benefits of scented candles can encourage calming feelings and create a soothing vibe in your home, making the heat more bearable.
Second, scented candles can mask unpleasant smells that become more noticeable when windows are open during summer. With warmer temperatures, food smells from cooking, garbage odors, and other funky household smells get amplified. Burning a summery candle like citrus or ocean breezes can help eliminate bad scents so your home smells fresh.
Candle Materials Suited for Summer
There are a few key candle wax materials that are well-suited for summer use:
Beeswax candles are a great summer option. Beeswax has a natural honey aroma and burns cooler than other waxes, making it ideal for warm weather (Source: https://www.candlescience.com/learning/wax-guide/). The low melting point of beeswax also helps candles retain their shape in summer heat.
Soy wax is another excellent choice for summer candles. Soy wax blends burn clean and slow with little smoke or dripping. Soy also holds fragrance oils exceptionally well (Source: https://www.candlesalon.com/post/which-candle-wax-gives-the-best-scent-throw). Soy candle fragrances tend to fill a room in the summer when windows are open.
Palm wax is a sustainable summer candle material made from palm oil. Palm wax burns slowly with a bright flame, working well in summer’s humidity. The natural crystal structure of palm wax also makes it ideal for textured candle designs.
When selecting candle waxes for summer, look for materials like beeswax, soy, and palm that burn clean and slow. These natural waxes hold up well to heat while beautifully fragrance a living space.
Fragrances for Summer Candles
When it comes to summer candle scents, fresh, bright fragrances are very popular. Citrus scents like lemon, grapefruit, lime, and orange are quintessential summer scents that evoke sunshine and warmth. Tropical scents like coconut, pineapple, mango, and papaya provide an exotic island vibe. Ocean breezes and water lily capture the freshness of summer days at the beach. Herbal scents like rosemary, mint, and eucalyptus offer an invigorating crispness. Florals like jasmine, gardenia, and honeysuckle add a touch of sweetness. Fruity scents like peach, melon, and berries provide a juicy freshness. Green, dewy scents like ivy, cucumber, and aloe evoke the lushness of summer. Fresh summer rain and clean linen fragrances also perfectly capture the season. Overall, light, bright, and refreshing fragrances are ideal for summer candles.
Candle Safety in Warm Weather
When burning candles in the summer, it’s important to take safety precautions to prevent fires. The warmer temperatures can cause candles to burn faster and hotter, so extra care must be taken.
Ensure the candle wick is trimmed to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to avoid smoking and rapid burning (source: https://candles.org/fire-safety-candles/). Trim the wick each time before lighting the candle. Long wicks cause uneven burning and dripping.
Never leave a burning candle unattended, especially in warm weather. The summer heat can cause the candle wax to melt faster, which increases the risk of fires from neglect. Always blow out candles before leaving the room or going to sleep (source: https://creativecandles.com/blogs/blog/candle-safety-tips).
Use candle holders made of non-flammable materials like glass, metal or ceramic. Place candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from drafts. Keep them away from flammable objects like curtains, books, and anything that can catch fire. Take extra care if using candles outdoors where wind can blow objects into the flame.
Summer Candleholders
When choosing candleholders for summer, it’s important to select materials that won’t overheat in warmer temperatures. Glass, stone, and certain metals make ideal summer candleholder materials.
Glass candleholders such as hurricane vases or lanterns allow for airflow around the candle, preventing excess heat buildup. Beautiful colored glass votives also add pops of color and interest to summer tablescapes. According to Food & Wine, glass candleholders are a top choice among interior designers for their versatility and summertime suitability.
Candleholders made of natural stones like marble, granite, slate, and sandstone also stay relatively cool in summer conditions. Their solid mass absorbs and dissipates heat. Lighter-colored stones refract sunlight to prevent overheating as well. A stone pedestal provides an elegant base for pillar candles on the patio or poolside.
Finally, metal candleholders made from materials like iron, aluminum, and zinc won’t get hot to the touch in summer weather. Wrought iron lanterns and sconces allow for airflow and a nice rustic look outdoors. Simple tin votives add a shiny, reflective touch to an outdoor table. Stay away from dark-colored metals, which may absorb too much heat from the sun.
Outdoor Candle Use
Using candles outdoors in the summer can create a lovely ambiance, but it’s important to take some precautions. The main concerns with outdoor candles are choosing weatherproof vessels and avoiding bugs.
Look for candles meant for outdoor use that are encased in glass or metal containers. These will not degrade or melt in summer heat or if they get wet from rain or sprinklers. Avoid using regular wax pillar candles outdoors as they can melt quickly. Citronella candles in metal buckets work well for repelling mosquitos outside. Just make sure to place citronella candles a safe distance away from seating areas so the strong scent does not overwhelm guests.
Position outdoor candles out of the way of any foot traffic or playing children. Keep them elevated on steps, shelves or tables so they won’t get knocked over. It’s also a good idea to use enclosed candle lanterns outdoors. These will protect the flame from wind while also preventing bugs from flying directly into the fire. Always keep a close eye on burning candles outdoors and never leave them unattended even for a minute. The National Candle Association recommends blowing out any outdoor candles before leaving the area or going to sleep.
Summer Candle Crafts
One fun way to enhance your summer decor is by making your own DIY summer candle crafts. With just a little creativity, you can transform plain candles into beautiful, decorative accents for your home. Some popular summer candle craft ideas include:
Carved candles – Use candle carving tools to carve shapes, designs, or words into pillar candles. Carved candles make great gifts and add a personalized touch to any space. Consider carving summer-inspired shapes like seashells, palm trees, or flowers.
Painted candles – Jazz up plain votive or pillar candles by painting them with acrylic craft paints. Paint stripes, polka dots, floral designs, or ocean-inspired patterns. Add some beachy flair with painted seashell and starfish candles.
Decorated candles – Embellish candles by gluing on beads, shells, flowers, or other small decorative objects with hot glue. For beach themes, cover candles with sand or wrap with burlap. Add some shine by wrapping candle jars with raffia or ribbon.
Scented candles – Make your own scented candles using soy wax, essential oils, and candle making supplies. Infuse with summery scents like coconut, citrus, vanilla, or floral. Present them in seashells or other summer-inspired containers.
The options are endless when making summer candle crafts. Let your creativity shine by dreaming up unique carved, painted, or decorated candle designs to enhance your homemade summer decor.
Summer Candle Alternatives
In the summer heat, traditional candles can pose safety risks and release unpleasant smells as the wax melts faster. Considering battery-operated, solar-powered, or flameless alternatives can allow you to enjoy candlelight ambiance without the drawbacks. Some popular summer candle alternatives include:
Battery-operated wax warmers melt wax cubes or tarts on a low-heat plate, releasing fragrance without an open flame. These are safe to leave unattended and easy to turn on and off as needed. Popular brands like Scentsy and Walmart’s Better Homes & Gardens sell a wide variety of warmer and wax melt cube options. Battery-operated wax melters are a great way to enjoy candle scents with minimal risk.
Solar-powered flameless candles offer the flickering ambiance of real candles without flames or wax. Brands like Luminara sell candles with LED bulbs and wax exteriors that convincingly emulate the look of real candles. Solar versions can charge via sunlight during the day to provide ongoing illumination at night. Flameless, solar candles are ideal for worry-free outdoor use.
Essential oil diffusers are another excellent candle alternative in summer. Small ultrasonic or evaporative diffusers can gently scent a room using just a few drops of essential oil and water. They release aroma without heat, smoke, or open flames. Diffusers also provide health benefits related to essential oil aromatherapy. Popular brands like Vitruvi and Asakuki sell beautiful, quiet diffuser models suitable for any space.
Conclusion
In summary, there are many great reasons to use candles during the summer months. Citrus, floral, herbal, and clean scents like linen or sea salt can provide refreshing, energizing ambiance. Beeswax, soy, or palm wax candles hold up better in summer’s heat. Practicing candle safety is important, like keeping them away from flammable surfaces and not leaving them unattended. Outdoor candle options like lanterns or floats/luminaries allow enjoyment of candles outside. Simple summer crafts with candles add a special touch to the season. While alternatives like essential oil diffusers also impart pleasant scents, nothing quite compares to the visual beauty and nostalgia of a glowing candle flame. With the right waxes, fragrances, and safety precautions, candles can be used safely and effectively to enhance summer’s laid-back vibes.
