What Can I Do About Bad Smelling Candles?
Identifying the Cause of the Smell
There are two main causes of smelly candles – the wax itself going bad, or foreign smells getting absorbed into the wax. Wax can go rancid over time, especially if stored in hot conditions, and this causes a sour, spoiled smell from the candle. Candles can also absorb other odors if they are stored near things like cooking smells, smoke, pets, etc. These foreign smells get trapped in the wax and released when you burn the candle (According to Why do some candles smell bad?).
To identify the cause, take note of when the smell occurs. If the candle smelled fine originally but develops a funky scent after burning awhile, it’s likely the wax going rancid. However, if the candle has an off-putting smell right from the first burn, it has likely absorbed scents from its storage environment (According to My candles smell burnt…help?). This will determine how you tackle fixing the smelly candle.
Cleaning the Candle
One of the best ways to get rid of bad smells from a candle is to thoroughly clean it. Start by extinguishing the candle and letting it cool completely. Then remove any burnt wax or wick debris.
For a deep clean, fill a pot with water and bring it to a gentle simmer. Carefully place the candle in the water and let it soak for 15-20 minutes. This will loosen any built up residue. Scrub the candle with a soft cloth or brush while it soaks to remove stuck on wax or dirt [1].
You can also place the candle in a plastic bag with 1/4 cup of baking soda and seal it for 24 hours. The baking soda will help absorb unpleasant odors [2]. Just be sure to carefully clean off any baking soda residue before burning the candle again.
For future cleaning, wipe down the candle with a soft dry cloth after each use to prevent wax or dirt buildup. With regular maintenance, you can stop candles from developing bad smells.
Re-lighting the Candle
One way to help fix a candle that smells bad is to re-light it. According to Reddit users, allowing the candle wax to melt and redistribute can help disperse any concentrated fragrance pools that may be causing an unpleasant smell.
“Very disappointed! Does anyone know any hacks to fix it if anything lol! My bedroom now smells like birthday candles after they are blown out,” wrote one Redditor on r/bathandbodyworks (source).
To re-light a smelly candle:
- Trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch length.
- Allow the candle wax to melt completely by lighting the candle for 1-2 hours.
- Blow out the flame and allow the melted wax to re-solidify.
- Relight the candle. The melted and re-solidified wax should help disperse any fragrance pools.
Re-lighting allows the wax pool to redistribute, which can help freshen a candle that smells bad. However, sometimes fragrance oils can go rancid, in which case re-lighting may not solve the smell.
Changing the Wick
One of the most common causes of a bad smell from candles is an overlong wick (Why Do My Candles Smell Burned? – The Sojourn Company). As the candle burns down, the wick can become too long and cause incomplete combustion, releasing more soot and smells. Trimming the wick can help remove any excess carbon buildup and allow for a cleaner, better burn.
Use wick trimmers or small scissors to carefully trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch before lighting. Make sure not to trim too short, as this can lead to tunneling. You may need to trim the wick a few more times as the candle continues to burn down. Overtime, wicks can also become brittle or develop mushroom tops which prevent a good meltpool. If trimming doesn’t fix the issue, replacing the wick completely can help revive a smelly candle.
Using Absorbents
One way to combat bad smells from candles is to use absorbents. Absorbents are materials that can soak up and trap odors or moisture. Some common household items that make good absorbents for smelly candles include:
Baking Soda
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is an effective odor absorber thanks to its alkaline pH. To use it, sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom of the candle holder or jar before placing the candle back in. The baking soda will help absorb unpleasant smells released when you relight the candle. You can also put an open box of baking soda next to the smelly candle to help soak up ambient odors.
Charcoal
Activated charcoal has a very porous structure, which allows it to effectively trap odors and moisture. Place a few charcoal briquettes in the candle holder before putting the candle back in. As the candle burns, the charcoal will absorb foul smells. Replace the charcoal every few uses to keep it effective.
Coffee Grounds
Used coffee grounds can be another handy absorbent for bad smelling candles. Their gritty texture allows them to soak up odors well. Put some used grounds in the holder, then set the candle on top. The grounds will help capture some of the smelly compounds released when the candle burns. You’ll need to change out the grounds periodically as they fill up.
Testing out one or a combination of these absorbent materials can help mitigate an unpleasant candle smell and make the scent more bearable.
Using Essential Oils
One way to help eliminate bad odors from candles is to add essential oils. Essential oils can be mixed directly into the melted wax before pouring the candle. When mixed into the wax, essential oils will provide scent throughout the entire candle. Top candlemakers recommend using 0.5-1 ounce of essential oil per pound of wax (Source: https://www.candlescience.com/essential-oil/all-candle-essential-oils/).
Essential oils can also be added to just the top layer of wax on an already poured candle. This will provide scent as the candle burns without affecting the full candle. Lavender, cedarwood, and citrus essential oils are great options for adding pleasant aromas (Source: https://www.brambleberry.com/shop-by-craft/candles/essential-oils). When adding to the top layer, use 2-5 drops of essential oil per 4 ounces of candle wax.
The key when using essential oils is to choose scents that will cover up or complement the bad candle odor. Floral, woodsy, and citrus essential oils tend to work best at neutralizing unpleasant smells.
Ventilation
Burning a smelly candle with a window or door open can help dissipate and circulate the scent to minimize the buildup of odor. This increases airflow and prevents the fragrance from stagnating in one area. Having ventilation allows fresh air to enter while pushing out the unpleasant smells.
Opening a window, even just a crack, can make a dramatic difference in improving air circulation and quality when burning a candle. This dilution of the scent helps prevent it from becoming overly strong or stale. For best results, try to open a window across the room from where you have lit the candle. The cross breeze will sweep through the space and carry the fragrance and odor away.
Likewise, opening an exterior door allows fresh outdoor air to flow in and flush out any unpleasant smells from a poorly burning candle. Even opening an interior door can help circulate air between rooms. The key is allowing airflow to prevent scented candle smells from concentrating in a stagnant space.
Some studies show that proper ventilation while burning candles can minimize indoor air pollutants. However, those sensitive to fragrances may still find even a well-ventilated space overwhelms their senses. Overall though, burning a smelly candle near an open window or door can greatly reduce trapped odors.
Freezing
Some people recommend freezing a smelly candle to help contain the odor [1]. Freezing causes the wax to harden, which can trap some of the fragrance and odor-causing molecules inside [2]. While this may help temporarily, it likely will not eliminate the smell entirely. Once the candle thaws, the odors can be released again. Freezing for more than 2-3 hours can also cause cracking or frosting of the wax. So freezing can be attempted as a short-term solution, but it does not fix the root cause of a smelly candle.
Getting a Refund
If a candle develops an unpleasant or defective smell, most retailers will allow you to return or exchange it, especially if it’s only been burned once or twice. Bath & Body Works has a generous return policy and will allow returns of candles that have been gently used, though some stores may be more strict than others [1]. Returns without a receipt may only get store credit. Smaller candle companies like The Stinky Candle Co. also allow returns within 30 days if the candle is unused or gently used [2]. When returning a smelly candle, it’s best to do so sooner rather than later, and always keep your receipt. Be polite when explaining the issue, as retailers want to satisfy customers while preventing abuse of return policies.
Preventing Smelly Candles
There are a few ways you can prevent candles from developing unpleasant smells in the first place:
Proper Storage
Store candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Light, heat, and humidity can all cause the fragrance oils in candles to break down more quickly, resulting in off smells. Keeping candles stored properly can help them retain their scents for longer.
According to this Houzz article, you should also make sure to tightly seal candles in between uses. Leaving candles exposed to open air can allow the wax to absorb other odors.
Wick Length
Using the proper wick length for your candle’s width is important to prevent tunneling and sooting, which can create unpleasant smells. Always trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting, and trim again if needed during burning to prevent mushrooming at the tip.
Full Curing
Allow homemade candles to cure for at least 1-2 weeks before burning to give fragrance oils time to fully bind with the wax. Burning too soon can cause wet spots, poor scent throw, and off odors.
