How Do You Store Candles So They Don’T Lose Their Smell?

How to Keep Candles from Losing Their Smell

There’s nothing quite like lighting a freshly scented candle to instantly modify a room’s ambiance. The pleasant fragrance can elicit feelings of relaxation, energize and uplift moods, or evoke nostalgia. Unfortunately, the aroma from scented candles doesn’t last forever. The volatile fragrance oils in candles eventually evaporate, causing the scent to fade over time.

Preserving a candle’s fragrance for as long as possible allows you to enjoy the scent experience you paid for when purchasing it. A candle losing its smell quickly also leads to disappointment and wasted money. Properly storing candles helps lock in scents so you can continue enjoying your favorite fragrances for longer.

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Store Properly

Proper storage is key for preserving the scent and longevity of candles. Here are some best practices for storing candles:

• Store candles upright rather than laying them on their sides. This helps the wax pool evenly as the candle burns and prevents wax from leaking out of the jar.
• Tighten lids securely after each use. This helps lock in fragrance and prevent dust from settling into the wax.
• Keep wicks trimmed to 1⁄4 inch before storage. Long wicks can smoke, tunnel down the candle, and lead to poor performance.



• Store candles in a cool, dark place like a cupboard or closet. Light and heat can fade candle scents over time. According to The Candle Land, 65-75°F is ideal.

Following these basic storage steps will help maintain your candle’s scent and burn quality for longer.

Use Air-Tight Containers

One of the best ways to store candles to preserve their scent is to use airtight containers. This prevents the essential oils and fragrance from escaping and fading over time. Some great options for airtight storage include mason jars and plastic containers with tightly sealing lids.

Mason jars are a popular choice as they completely seal when closed properly. This prevents air from entering and fragrance from escaping. Look for jars with tight fitting, two-piece lids to ensure maximum freshness. Make sure to check the seal each time you open and close the jar. You can store wax candles or melt them and pour into the jar for fragrance storage.

Plastic containers like Tupperware or Snapware with tight sealing lids also work very well for candle storage. Ensure the lid forms an airtight seal when closed and frequently check for cracks or warping which could break the seal. As with mason jars, you can store whole candles or melted wax in these containers.

The key is keeping the candle scent fully contained until you are ready to enjoy it. An airtight container preserves the fragrance better than a box or paper wrapping. For best results, opt for an airtight glass or plastic container with a lid that completely seals the scent inside.

Control Temperature

Extreme heat or cold can cause the fragrance oils in candles to evaporate or condense, diminishing the scent. The ideal storage temperature range is 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit (15-27 degrees Celsius). Temperatures outside of this range may lead to scent loss over time. As noted in research from Brave + Bloom, “The ideal temperature for storing candles is between 60-75°F (15-24°C), while the humidity level should be as low as possible. High humidity can cause the fragrance and oils to break down more quickly” (Source). Storing candles in a temperature-controlled environment, away from heat and A/C vents, is recommended. Fluctuations in temperature can also impact scent, so aim to keep storage areas at a stable, moderate temperature for best preservation.

Control Light Exposure

Light can cause the scent of candles to fade more quickly. According to a 2023 study, light exposure causes the fragrance oils in candles to evaporate faster, reducing scent intensity and longevity (Singh, 2023). To maximize scent retention, it’s recommended to store candles away from light sources like windows, lamps, and overhead lighting. Keeping candles in a dark place like a cupboard or drawer will help prevent light from diminishing the fragrance.

One experiment found that candles stored in daylight faded noticeably within 2 weeks, while candles kept in darkness retained their scent for over a month (Sundblad, 2018). Candle wax also helps block light from reaching the scent oils. When the wax melts away from use, it exposes more fragrance to light and air which accelerates fading. Storing unused candles with intact wax seals aroma in and light out.

In summary, limiting light exposure by keeping candles in a dark, enclosed space will help prolong scent intensity so candles maintain their fragrance for as long as possible.

Limit Oxygen Exposure

Oxygen can cause the scent of candles to fade and dissipate more quickly over time. When candles burn, they consume oxygen, so leaving unused candles exposed to open air allows more oxygen to interact with the candle’s oils and fragrance.

Minimizing air and oxygen inside candle storage containers limits oxygen exposure and helps retain scent. Use containers that seal tightly or have an airtight closure. You can also consider using oxygen absorber packets, which absorb oxygen from the air in sealed containers.

One tip is to wrap the candle tightly in plastic wrap before placing it in an airtight container. The plastic wrap creates an additional oxygen barrier to protect scent (Village Craft and Candle, 2022).

Use Encapsulated Scents

Some candle brands use micro-encapsulated scents to preserve fragrance. Micro-encapsulation technology wraps the fragrance oil in tiny capsules or microspheres that slowly release scent when exposed to heat. According to a review on the microencapsulation of essential oils published in PMC, “The main application for encapsulation is durable fragrances and skin softeners,” (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9099681/). The microcapsules protect the fragrance from oxygen, light, and evaporation. Look for candles made with micro-encapsulated scents if you want the fragrance to last longer. Companies like MagnaColours offer micro-encapsulated perfumes and fragrances that can be added to candle wax (https://www.magnacolours.com/product/micro-encapsulated-perfumes-other-finishes/).

Consider Scent Boosters

Scent packs or scent boosters can be an effective way to help preserve and extend the fragrance of candles. These are small sachets or packets that contain fragrance oils and are designed to enhance and boost the scent throw of candles.

To use a scent booster, simply place one or more packs in the storage container alongside the candle. As the candle is stored, the fragrance oils from the scent pack will help mask any fading of the candle’s original scent. The boosters release extra fragrance to mix with the candle’s existing fragrance.

Scent boosters are available from some candle suppliers and fragrance retailers. Look for packs designed especially for candles that contain strong fragrance oils. Use an appropriate number of packs for the size of your storage container and the strength of the candle scent.

Refresh the scent boosters periodically, replacing them with new packs to maintain the fragrance over long term candle storage. Along with proper storage methods, scent boosters can help preserve your candle’s signature scent.

When Scent Fades

Even with proper storage, candle scents will eventually fade over time. Luckily, there are some tricks to revive candles that have lost their fragrance:

Scrape Off Top Layer: Use a knife to scrape off the top 1/4 inch of wax that has lost smell. This exposes fresh wax underneath that still retains scent.

Add Essential Oils: Add a few drops of essential oils like lavender, citrus, or mint to re-energize the candle. Let the oils fully soak in before lighting.

Warm The Candle: Place the candle in a warm spot like near a heating vent for 1-2 hours. The warmth will help diffuse the remaining fragrance.

Freeze The Candle: Put the candle in the freezer overnight. This will reactivate the scent when the candle returns to room temperature.

With some TLC and these scent revival tips, you can bring back the signature smell of faded candles. Just be sure to properly store candles moving forward to help them retain aroma longer.

Summary: Recap Best Practices for Maximizing Scent Retention During Candle Storage

Proper candle storage is crucial for maintaining candle scent and performance over time. The best practices include:

• Storing candles in airtight containers to limit airflow and oxygen exposure
• Keeping candles in a cool, dark place like a closet or drawer to prevent light and heat damage
• Using encapsulated or long-lasting candle scents that are less prone to fading
• Considering scent booster additives to refresh and strengthen fading candle scents
• Avoiding temperature fluctuations and excess oxygen which accelerate scent loss

Following storage guidelines for limiting light, heat, airflow and successfully retaining scent. When candle scent does begin fading, there are methods to restore and boost the aroma. Proper storage maximizes the longevity and performance of your favorite candle scents.