What Happens If A Candle Gets Wet?

Candles are designed to burn, not get wet. When candles are exposed to moisture, a number of issues can occur that affect the performance and safety of the candle.

Water can seep into the wax, causing it to break down and become saturated. This reduces the quality of the flame and can make it difficult for the wick to draw up wax to fuel the flame properly.

Water can also cause problems with the wick itself. A wet wick has a harder time staying lit and can create excess smoke and soot. In severe cases, water can put out the flame entirely.

For candles in metal containers, rusting is a risk if water sits inside for prolonged periods. Containers may become deformed or melted from water exposure as well.

In short, moisture is detrimental to many aspects of how a candle burns and functions. While some wet candles can be revived, it’s best to protect them from water damage in the first place.

Wax Absorption

Wax is a porous material that can absorb liquid, including water (https://mountainflow.com/blogs/how-to/wax-101-how-to-use-ir-waxer). When a candle gets wet, the wax will soak up the water. This water absorption causes the wax to become softer and lose its rigidity. According to Wikipedia, wax esters, a major component of candle wax, are known to be readily absorbed by porous materials (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wax_ester). As the wax absorbs the water, it becomes saturated with liquid. Research shows that repeated exposure to a liquid causes wax to become heavily loaded with the absorbed substance (https://www.datawax.com/waxes1/wax-guides/base-waxing/).

Wick Issues

If the wick of a candle gets wet, it can cause problems with lighting the candle and lead to mold growth. Wet wicks have trouble properly absorbing the wax to initiate burning. As the Highland Candle Company explains, the moisture prevents the wick from drawing up the wax. This can make it very difficult or even impossible to light the wick. The waterlogged wick acts as a barrier that keeps the wax from moving up the wick via capillary action as it normally would.

A damp wick also provides the ideal environment for mold growth. The cellulose material often used for wicks soaks up water readily. This moisture allows mold spores to thrive on the wick’s surface. Over time, this can lead to black or green mold growing on the wick. Moldy wicks become unsuitable for lighting and give off unpleasant odors. The mold can also spread into the wax itself under the right conditions.

Rusting Containers

If the candle holder or container is made of metal, getting it wet can cause rust to form over time. As moisture sits on the metal surface, it reacts with oxygen to create iron oxide, which we see as rust. Even stainless steel can start to rust if water sits on it for too long.

Rust creates a gritty, flaky surface that can rub off onto the candle or surrounding surfaces. It also weakens the structural integrity of metal over time. This can lead to cracks, holes, and other damage. A rusted candle holder may not be able to properly contain melted wax or support the weight of a candle.

To prevent rust from forming, quickly dry metal candle containers when they get wet. You can also apply a thin coat of food-safe oil to act as a barrier. Look for containers made with rust-resistant metals like aluminum or stainless steel. Consider coating exposed iron containers with enamel, or choosing ones with baked-on paint finishes.

If rust has already formed, gently scrub with a baking soda paste and re-coat with oil or paint. Unfortunately heavily rusted holders may need to be discarded and replaced for safety reasons.

Sources: https://www.etsy.com/market/rust_candle_holder, https://www.shophesby.com/products/rust-taper-candle-holder

Melting and Deformation

Water can cause candles to melt and become misshapen if the candle’s wax absorbs the water. Wax is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water, but it can still absorb liquid over time. According to this Reddit thread, boiling a candle in water will melt the wax until none remains.

The wax that makes up a candle is designed to melt at a certain temperature to pool properly. But water can bring the temperature down low enough to melt wax even if the water is not boiling. Prolonged exposure to moisture can make wax soften and deform.

Deformation happens because the weight of the candle pushes down on softened wax. Gravity and moisture work together to alter the candle’s shape, causing it to look misshapen or slumped.

Drowning the Wick

One of the biggest issues that can happen when a candle gets wet is the wick becoming drowned or buried under melted wax. This occurs because as the candle wax absorbs the water, it begins to melt. The wax pool then expands beyond its normal size, completely submerging the wick in liquid wax.

A candle wick needs air flow in order to burn properly. When the wick becomes drowned, the water blocks airflow to the wick, making it difficult or impossible for the wick to light. A drowned wick will often go out quickly after being lit or struggle to stay lit at all.

To fix a drowned wick, you first need to dry the candle fully and absorb any excess wax pooling around the wick. You can blot the wax with paper towels or use a cotton swab to soak up extra wax so the wick is exposed again. Trimming the wick can also help revive it.
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Difficulty Lighting

When a candle gets wet, the water is absorbed into the wax. This makes it difficult to light the candle because water does not ignite like wax does. The water saturates the wick, preventing it from catching fire properly when you try to light it. Even after the candle dries out, there may still be residual moisture deep in the wax that causes issues with lighting. Lighting a candle relies on the wax vaporizing and the wick catching this vapor on fire. Water interferes with this process by reducing the flammability of the wax and wick.

According to one source, “Waterlogged wicks won’t light easily. The water soaks into the wick fibers, leaving them damp and preventing them from catching the flame. No matter how long you hold the match to the wick, it just won’t light properly.”[1]

To get around lighting issues, it’s recommended to allow the candle time to fully dry out before attempting to light it again. This gives the water time to evaporate so the wick and wax can ignite normally. However, even after drying, residual moisture deep in the candle may still cause intermittent lighting problems.

Mold Growth

When wet candles are left sitting for extended periods, the moist conditions can promote mold growth on both the wax and the wick. Mold thrives in damp environments, and the absorbent nature of candle wax makes it an ideal place for mold to take hold if it remains wet. Small black or green dots may begin to appear on the surface of the candle wax or along the wick as mold spores land and propagate.

According to research from the University of Iowa, mold requires a relative humidity of at least 60% to grow, which is easily achieved when candle wax soaks up water. The nutrients present in wax also provide food for mold to grow. Studies show certain types of mold, like Cladosporium spp., are commonly found on wet candles.

Per research, prolonged exposure to moisture not only causes mold growth, but allows the mold to work its way deeper into the candle wax. As mold takes hold, it can break down the wax structure and alter burn properties. Preventing wet candles from developing mold requires drying them quickly and thoroughly before fungi have time to establish.

Fixing Wet Candles

If your candle gets wet, there are a few methods you can try to fix it and prevent issues. According to The Wax Chandler (https://thewaxchandler.com/candle-making/how-to-fix-candle-wet-spots/), one option is to use a heat gun or hairdryer to gently warm the outside of the candle container and smooth out any wax deformations. The heat will melt the wax just enough to allow it to redistribute evenly. Be careful not to overheat the wax or container.

You can also try trimming the wick to remove any excess that may have gotten soaked, recommends Storables (https://storables.com/articles/how-to-fix-wet-spots-in-candles/). Trim the wick to its normal length to help it burn properly once dry. If the wick got very wet, it’s best to replace it completely with a new wick before lighting.

If there is any moisture inside the container, pour out the wax and dry the inside thoroughly before adding back wax. Make sure no water remains before relighting to prevent issues.

In some cases, you may need to melt down the entire candle and repour it into a dry container if moisture penetrated deep inside. This will redistribute the wax evenly again.

Take care to fully dry wet candles before lighting to avoid potential issues like poor scent throw or tunneling.

Preventing Water Damage

There are some simple ways to help prevent water from damaging candles. According to Jenkins Restorations (https://jenkinsrestorations.com/candle-safety-tips/), it’s important to store candles properly to avoid exposure to water.

Candles should be kept in a dry, cool place out of direct sunlight. Humidity and heat can cause candles to lose their shape or become damaged. Store candles in a closet, cabinet, or drawer where they won’t get wet from splashes or leaks.

When burning candles, take care not to place them somewhere where water could drip or splash on them accidentally. Keep candles away from sinks, tubs, pools, and other wet areas. Use candle holders that are sturdy and won’t tip over easily.

Making sure candles avoid contact with water can help prevent issues like wax absorption, wick problems, rusting, and mold growth. With proper storage and care, it’s possible to avoid water damage and enjoy candles safely.