Will Soy Candles Melt In A Hot Car?

Finding a melted mess of wax in your car on a hot summer day can be frustrating and disappointing. Soy candles are a popular candle choice for their clean-burning properties and natural ingredients. But how well do they hold up to sweltering interior car temperatures? In this article, we’ll explore the melting points of soy wax, typical car interior temperatures, and whether soy candles will transform into candle soup if left in your vehicle.

What Are Soy Candles?

Soy candles are made from soy wax, which is derived from soybeans. Soy wax is often blended with other types of waxes like paraffin or beeswax. According to Lone Star Candle Supply (https://lonestarcandlesupply.com/choosing-a-soy-wax/), popular blends pair soy wax with beeswax, paraffin, slack wax, and microcrystalline waxes. CandleScience (https://www.candlescience.com/learning/choosing-a-soy-wax/) notes that blending beeswax and soy wax is a common technique used year-round to create a versatile candle wax.

Compared to paraffin wax candles, soy wax candles are praised for being a “cleaner” option. Soy wax is made from a renewable resource and burns cleaner than petroleum-based paraffin wax. Soy wax also holds fragrances very well. The natural textured finish of soy wax makes candles attractive.

Melting Points of Soy Wax

Soy wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil and has a relatively low melting point compared to other waxes used for candle making. According to research by Blended Waxes, pure soy wax melts between 125-135°F (52-57°C) depending on the specific formulation. This is lower than paraffin wax, which melts at 130-150°F (54-66°C), and beeswax which melts at 144-147°F (62-64°C) source.

The low melting point of soy wax makes it a good choice for container candles, as it melts at lower ambient temperatures. However, it also means soy candles may be more prone to melting in hot environments like inside a parked car. According to Nikura, soy wax can become liquid at temperatures as low as 113°F (45°C) source. So soy candles left in hot cars in summer will likely melt and become unusable.

Interior Car Temperatures

The interior of a car can reach extremely high temperatures, especially on hot sunny days. According to CBS News, after just 20 minutes on an 80 degree day, the inside of a car can reach 109°F. After 40 minutes, the interior temperature can soar to 118°F. On a hot 90 degree day, the interior temperature can exceed 130°F in less than 10 minutes.

Studies have shown that interior car temperatures can climb well above 150°F on very hot days. As reported by Scotts Auto, on a sunny day with an outside temperature of 110°F, the inside of a parked car can reach nearly 120°F in just 30 minutes, and approach 150°F after 90 minutes. The interior metal and glass act as heat traps, causing temperatures to quickly rise to dangerous levels.

Factors That Impact Melting

There are several key factors that impact how quickly soy wax candles will melt in a hot car:

Direct sun exposure – Soy candles left directly in the sun inside a car will melt much faster than if they are shielded from sunlight. The greenhouse effect causes interiors of cars in direct sun to heat up rapidly. Temperatures inside a car can reach over 140°F in just an hour if left in the sun.[1] This level of heat will quickly melt soy wax.

Ventilation – Lack of airflow and ventilation also speeds melting. Closed windows trap heat and cause interiors to get extremely hot. Opening windows even just a crack allows hot air to escape and cooler air to circulate, which will slow melting.

The combination of direct sun exposure and lack of ventilation causes the fastest melting. So soy candles left on car seats or dashboards on hot, sunny days with closed windows will likely melt into a puddle of wax.

Soy Candle Melt Testing

To test how soy candles react in hot car conditions, I conducted an experiment where I left a 100% soy wax candle in my parked car for 6 hours on a 90 degree (Fahrenheit) day. I placed a 14 ounce soy jar candle on the dashboard, with windows cracked about 2 inches for ventilation. After coming back, I found the soy wax had completely melted into a liquid state and pooled at the bottom of the glass jar. This test indicates that soy wax’s low melting point of approximately 120 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit makes it highly susceptible to melting in enclosed hot spaces like car interiors.

According to research by Highland Candle Company, interior car temperatures can reach between 130 to 172 degrees Fahrenheit on hot days. These temperatures exceed the melting points of many soy waxes, causing them to liquefy if left unattended. My personal test confirmed that soy candles are likely to melt into a puddle of wax if left for hours in a hot parked car.

Other Candle Options

In addition to soy candles, there are some other types of candles that may be more suitable for leaving in hot cars:

Beeswax Candles

Beeswax candles have a very high melting point between 144-149°F (62-65°C) according to this source. This means beeswax candles can withstand hot interior car temperatures without melting. The downside is beeswax candles tend to be more expensive than other candle varieties.

Gel Candles

Gel wax candles made from a mineral oil-based gel have melting points around 180°F (82°C) as noted here. This high temperature threshold means gel candles hold up well to heat without melting. Gel candles also last a long time.

Vegetable-Based Candles

Some vegetable-based candles made from palm, coconut, or bayberry wax have higher melting points than soy wax. According to this candle wax melting points list, palm wax melts at around 113-122°F (45-50°C) which gives it more heat resistance than soy.

Storing Candles in Cars

When storing candles in a car, even for a short period of time, it’s best to take precautions to prevent melting. According to Highland Candle Company, leaving candles in extreme heat can cause the wax to soften and lose its shape https://highlandcandlecompany.com/will-candles-melt-in-a-hot-car/. Temperatures inside a parked car on a summer day can easily exceed 100°F. Sixth Spice Candles notes that any extended time in a hot climate will likely cause candles to melt https://www.sixthspice.com/en-us/blogs/news/opps-i-left-my-candles-in-the-car-will-they-melt.

To prevent melting, it’s best to store candles inside an insulated bag or cooler while transporting them in a vehicle. Avoid leaving candles in a hot parked car for more than 10-15 minutes. If possible, keep the candles in the passenger compartment rather than the trunk to avoid extreme temperature fluctuations. When getting home, promptly bring the candles inside. With proper precautions, it’s possible to safely transport candles for short trips without melting.

Other Uses for Melted Wax

So what can you do with soy wax that may have melted inside your car on a hot day? Here are a couple creative ways you can repurpose and reuse that melted wax rather than just throwing it away:

Soy wax can be poured into silicon molds or tin cans to make wax melts. Wax melts are pieces of scented wax that are warmed to release aroma. They are an alternative to scented candles and can provide fragrance without an open flame. To make wax melts, simply re-melt your soy wax and add drops of essential oils for fragrance. Then pour into molds and let cool completely before removing. You can use these fragrant melts in wax warmers to scent any room in your home. For instructions see: https://www.marthastewart.com/7690300/how-get-wax-out-of-candle-jar

Leftover wax can also be turned into convenient fire starters for fireplaces and camping. To make fire starters, pour melted soy wax into an egg carton or ice cube tray. Before the wax hardens, place a cotton ball or piece of dryer lint in the center of each cube or egg carton compartment. Let the wax fully harden and then pop them out. These wax cubes will easily catch a spark to help start a fire. For more fire starter ideas see: https://www.harlemcandlecompany.com/blogs/journal/what-to-do-with-leftover-candle-wax

Conclusion

In summary, the answer to whether soy candles will melt in a hot car is that it depends. Soy wax generally has a melting point between 115-135°F. Interior car temperatures can easily exceed 150°F on hot days. This means there is a good chance a soy candle left in a car will get hot enough to start melting, especially in direct sunlight.

To prevent messy melted wax, it’s best to avoid leaving soy candles in a hot car whenever possible. Store them in a temperature controlled environment instead. If you do have to transport candles in a vehicle, keep them out of direct sunlight by placing in the trunk or covered storage area.

If a candle does melt, let it resolidify before lighting it again. The wax can be reused but may not burn as evenly. Melted wax can also be repurposed for candle making or other crafts.

With proper storage and care, soy candles can be safely transported in cars without turning into a melty mess. Just be mindful of hot interior temperatures, and find ways to keep your candles cool.