Using Candles in Summer Heat: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What You’ll Love

Candles are often linked with cosy winter nights, soft blankets, and warm drinks. But that doesn’t mean they have no place in summer. In fact, with a bit of thought, candles can be just as useful and enjoyable in the warmer months. The trick is knowing how to use them safely and effectively when the heat is on.

This guide offers a simple and honest look at using candles in summer. It covers the do’s, the don’ts, and a few smart ideas to help you get the most from your scented candles without melting into a puddle.

Why Summer Heat Changes Everything

When temperatures rise, the way candles behave changes. The wax gets softer, scent releases quicker, and even the glass containers can become unstable if not used or stored correctly. Most people don’t think about it, but summer heat can actually shorten a candle’s life or make it perform poorly.

Heat can also affect your experience. Strong scents may feel heavier in warm air, while fast-burning candles might not last as long as they should. That doesn’t mean you should stop using candles – it just means you need to treat them differently.

Being aware of these changes helps you enjoy your candles safely and get better value for your money.

Do’s: Smart Candle Tips for Hot Weather

There are a few practical ways to enjoy candles even when it’s warm. They can still be part of your self-care, home decor, or outdoor evenings. Here’s how to use them wisely:

Burn Shorter, Not Longer

In summer, candle wax is already softer due to the heat. That means the wax melts quicker, and your candle burns faster. A long burn time in hot weather can lead to overheating, wasted wax, or damage to the container. Stick to short sessions – 1 to 2 hours is enough.

Store Candles in a Cool, Dark Place

Never leave candles near windows, in your car, or in conservatories. Heat and direct sunlight can melt or warp the wax, cause oils to evaporate, or even crack glass jars. A cupboard, drawer or shaded storage box is a much safer place.

Watch Out for Sweating

In warm weather, some candles may start to “sweat.” This happens when natural oils in the wax rise to the surface due to heat. It’s common with soy candles and looks like tiny droplets on the top layer. Sweating doesn’t affect how the candle burns, but it can change how it looks or smells. To avoid this, keep candles in a cool, shaded place, away from windows and heat sources.

Trim the Wick

Wicks should be trimmed to 5mm before every burn. This helps control the size of the flame and reduces soot. In hot weather, this becomes even more important. A long wick makes the flame too high and causes the wax to overheat fast.

Burn in the Evening

Lighting a candle in the evening not only adds atmosphere but also makes the most sense in hot weather. The temperature drops, and you can enjoy your scented candles without adding extra heat to the room.

Use Holders or Heat-Resistant Surfaces

Always place your candle on a stable, non-flammable surface. Metal tables outside can get very hot, and indoor wood surfaces can be damaged by soft wax. A candle tray or ceramic plate works well.

Don’ts: Common Candle Mistakes in Summer

There are also a few things you should avoid. These mistakes can shorten your candle’s life or even make them unsafe to use.

Don’t Leave Candles in Hot Cars or Sunny Windowsills

This is the fastest way to ruin a good candle. Soy wax and essential oils are sensitive to heat. In a hot car or windowsill, the wax can melt, discolour, or shift in the container.

Don’t Burn in Direct Sunlight

Sunlight heats the container and makes the candle burn unevenly. It can also cause the glass to crack if the heat builds up too much. Instead, choose shaded areas for burning.

Don’t Use Overpowering Fragrances

Some scented candles are just too strong for summer. Heavy scents can feel suffocating in warm air. Choose light, natural scents like citrus, mint, or lavender. These feel cleaner and more refreshing when it’s warm.

Don’t Forget About Safety

Keep candles away from anything flammable. Summer often means open windows, children playing, or pets moving around. Be extra careful where you place your candle.

Don’t Ignore Tunnelling

Even in hot weather, let your candle burn until the whole top layer is melted. This prevents tunnelling and keeps the candle burning evenly in future. It may take less time to reach a full melt pool in summer, so keep an eye on it.

Delightful Summer Candle Ideas

Summer candles aren’t just for indoors. Here are some simple ideas to enjoy them during summer:

• Floating Tea Lights: Place tea lights in a bowl with water and citrus slices. Perfect for outdoor tables.
• Insect-Repelling Scents: Try candles with lemongrass, peppermint, or basil to keep bugs away.
• Evening Rituals: Light a calming scent like lavender while reading a book or enjoying a bath after a hot day.
• Layer Scents: Combine a candle with a reed diffuser or room spray for a long-lasting, subtle fragrance.

Final Thoughts

Candles in hot summer weather can still be a lovely part of your home life. But just like you switch your wardrobe with the seasons, you also need to adjust how you use and care for candles.

Burn them smarter, store them properly, and choose your scents carefully. When used well, a good candle can still bring peace, focus, or joy on even the hottest days.

Whether you use them indoors or outside, during a bath or a BBQ, candles can remain a trusted part of your daily ritual – as long as you know the do’s and don’ts.

Enjoy the glow, even in the heat.

Rita Sniolyte

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