Small candles with lids keep their scent better when you store them well. A lid is more than a pretty cap. It keeps dust off the wax and keeps the jar tidy between burns. Here is how to store your candles, what to do before you relight, and how to plan ahead for Christmas gifts.

Small Candles With Lids Need a Cool, Dark Home

The National Candle Association gives one simple storage rule. Keep candles in a cool, dark, dry place, with the lid on. That is the whole rule.

The reason is easy to see. Heat softens wax. Sunlight warms a jar through the glass. Australian summers are hard on a candle left on a sunny sill or in a hot car. A cupboard or a shelf away from the window is a better home. Put the lid back on every time, even if you plan to light the candle again tomorrow. Dust and fluff then stay off the wax, and the top is clean when you return.

Small Jar Candles With Lid: What To Do Before You Relight

A stored candle needs a quick check before it burns. The same group says to trim the wick to a quarter of an inch before each lighting. It also says to clear any debris from the wax pool, which is the circle of liquid wax around the wick.

Lift out wick bits, dust and any stray match ends. Then trim the wick. A candle care kit holds the tools for this in one place. You can find them in the candle lighters and care collection.

• Take the lid off and set it aside.
• Lift out any dust or wick bits.
• Trim the wick to a quarter inch.

Plan Ahead: Storing Candles You Plan To Give

Christmas shopping starts early in many homes. If you buy a candle as a gift in October, keep it boxed or lidded in a cool cupboard until the day. Do not leave it in the car boot on a warm afternoon. A gift in good shape feels more thoughtful, and it costs you nothing extra.

Not sure which scent to choose? Fresh scents suit hot Australian Christmas weather. Have a look at the Fresh range, or browse the gifts for her page for ideas.

Quick answers

Should you keep the lid on a candle?

Yes, when the candle is not burning. The National Candle Association advises storing candles with the lid on, in a cool, dark, dry place. Take the lid off before you light it.

Where should you store scented candles?

Store them in a cool, dark, dry spot, such as a cupboard or shelf away from the window. Avoid sunny sills, hot cars and bathrooms that steam up.

A few seconds of care between burns adds up. It also means your candle is clean and ready to light. Choose a jar from the candles page, give it a clean lid and a cool shelf, and it will be ready whenever you want it.

Related reading

• Candle With Fragrance: How Long Should You Burn It?: how long to burn a jar each time
• Candle Wick Trimmer: A 10-Second Habit Before Every Burn: a closer look at trimming
• Scented Candles: Five Safe Habits For A Cosy Night In: simple safety for every evening