Do Candles Expire If Unopened? Find Out Here!

Updated on December 9, 2022

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Do Candles Expire?

Do candles last forever? Or does the wax eventually dry out and make the candle unusable?

Yes, candles expire but not in the same way that food products do. If you've got a bunch of candles sitting around, you may want to check to see how long they've been burning before buying another batch. This way you won't waste money on candles that are going to expire soon anyway.

Candles are great because they provide light without using electricity. However, most people don't realize that candles also burn down over time. Many people believe that candles will never go bad. But that's not true!

How Long Will A Candle Last?

Candles come in all shapes, sizes, scents, and colors. There are paraffin candles and natural wax candles. Some are made out of beeswax, others are made out of soybean oil, and still, others are made out of paraffin wax. Each type of wax has its unique properties, including melting point, color, scent, and burn rate.

The longevity of a candle depends on several factors, including the type of wax used, the fragrance added, the container in which the candle was kept, and the storage conditions.

For instance, candles made out of beeswax tend to last longer than those made out of soybean oils. Candles that are sealed or covered tend to last longer than candles that were not sealed or covered.

You should store your candles in a cool, dark location where there is no direct sunlight. You can keep them in a cupboard or drawer, but avoid storing them near heat sources, such as radiators or heating vents.

Make sure that you purchase quality candles that are free of any harmful chemicals. Avoid buying cheap candles that may cause health problems later down the road.

Will The Fragrance Of Your Candle Decrease?

Candles lose their fragrance over time, and you should be aware of this loss of fragrance. However, certain types and candle brands lose their original fragrance faster than others. Organic scented candles are especially susceptible to losing their fragrance.

You should be extra careful and conscious if you are buying organic scented candles. These candles lose their fragrances quickly, so you may not be able to smell them at all after only a couple of weeks.

Use them within 10 to 12 months after the date of manufacture.

Will The Color Of Your Candle Fade?

Candle wax comes in a variety of colors, including bright reds, blues, greens, yellows, oranges, pinks, purples, whites, and blacks. Some brands even come in glittery shades. While most of us enjoy the look of colored wax, there are downsides to using it. One of those downsides is that the color may fade over time.

You might think that storing your candles in a dark place will prevent fading, but that isn't necessarily true. You'll still notice that the color fades over time. However, if you store your candles away from direct sunlight, you won't experience any noticeable fading.

The only way to keep the color of your candle wax intact is to display it in a dark room where no light shines directly onto it. If you do decide to display your candle in a brightly lit room, you'll probably notice that the color starts to fade after a couple of weeks.

If you plan to display your candle in an open space, you'll want to consider buying a diffuser to protect it from the sun. A diffuser is a device that helps reduce the intensity of light coming from overhead lighting. Diffusers are available at many retail stores, and they usually cost less than $10.

How To Extend The Life Of Candles?

Candles are wonderful gifts for any occasion. However, they only last so long. You may not realize it, but candles start losing scent after a certain point. So, if you plan on giving a candle as a gift, you'll want to extend its life as long as possible. Here are some tips to help you do that:

Keep candles away from direct sunlight. Direct sunlight causes the wax to melt faster, which means less scent.

Use a candle topper or glass cloche to help protect the candle from being exposed to harsh light. These items are available at most stores.

Avoid areas with high humidity or moisture. Moist air makes wax expand, which reduces the candle's ability to hold scents.

Avoid areas with sudden changes in temperatures. Wax expands when heated, which can cause the candle to crack.

Signs Of An Expired Candle

Bad candles have a stale scent, change color, or disappear altogether. If they are made with essential oils, they might smell rotten.

Brighter colors such as red, yellow, and orange might turn into a dull brown. They don't look aesthetically pleasing anymore and won't give off the same scents as fresh ones.

The wax might look oily and feel slippery to the touch if the candle has degraded. Once lit, the flame will look dim and dull.

You should never buy a candle that doesn't smell right. Even if it's a cheap brand, it should smell nice. There are lots of great brands of candles available today. Find one that fits your budget and lifestyle.

How Should You Store Your Candle?

Candles are great for adding ambiance to any room, but they do require proper storage. Keep your candles away from direct sunlight and heat sources, since those elements break down the material used to make them. Also, try storing them in an airtight container. This will prevent the fragrances from evaporating and keep the scents fresh.

Keep your candles in an air-tight container that can hold multiple candles at once. If you only buy one candle, you can simply replace the lid after you've burned through it. However, if you buy several candles, you should consider getting an airtight box that holds them when they're not being used. This way, you won't have to worry about losing the scent.

Why Do Candles Expire?

Wax

Candles come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are made out of paraffin wax, while others are made out of soy wax. Both types of wax tend to last a long time, but there are differences between the two.

Paraffin wax is a synthetic wax that comes from petroleum products. It's used in most candles today. It's considered to be a safe choice for candle makers since it doesn't react with anything else in the candle-making process. However, paraffin wax does not burn well, and it takes a lot of heat to melt it down. So, it won't stay lit for very long.

Soy wax is a natural wax and a plant-based product that comes from plants. It's less expensive than paraffin wax, and it burns hotter than paraffin wax. Because of its high melting point, it lasts longer than paraffin wax and is great for creating scented candles.

So, if you're wondering whether your candles will last forever, the answer is yes. You'll probably find that your candles will last at least several years, depending on the type of wax you use.

Dye

Candles made with dye tend to lose their color faster than those made without. Dyes used in candle making include food coloring, vegetable oil, and petroleum products. Some candles are colored using dye, which tends to fade or change colors over time.

You may notice that some candles look darker than others. This is due to the wax being tinted with pigment instead of dye. Waxes are usually dyed after they are poured into molds. The pigment is added to the molten wax before pouring.

As mentioned above, some candles are colored using a dye that fades or changes colors over time. Other candles are colored using pigment that doesn't fade or change colors.

To avoid fading or changing colors, keep your candles away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Also, store your candles in a cool, dark place where they won't be disturbed.

Fragrance oils

Do candles expire? Yes, they do. However, most candles are scented using synthetics, natural fragrances, or some combination of the 2. Some may come with soft or strong scents Fragrances will fade over time, and they'll start to smell weaker and weaker.

Some candles have stronger scents at first, but others have a more subtle scent initially. Some types of a wax bind with certain kinds of fragrances better than others. So, the kind of wax used in your candle might affect how quickly the fragrance fades away.

Natural fragrances will degrade over time, just like anything else that's made out of nature. Sometimes, this causes the scent to change. You may like it more or less after a while.

So, yes, candles do expire. But, you should still enjoy your favorite scented candle for years to come!

Smell is one of the human senses which can flow through the whole body. I am the Founder of NeoCandle.com where we talk all about scented candles. Known as Candace the Candle Girl, I know pretty much all there is to know about scented candles. I make and sell them on Etsy and Ebay - so be sure to ask if you have any burning questions :) (pun intended ;) )

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