Do Candles Expire? Here’s What You Need to Know in 2025

Candles are timeless. Whether it’s a cozy vanilla candle in winter, a fresh lavender scent in summer, or your favorite Affinati 3-Wick Signature Candle, they add instant warmth and ambiance to any space. But what happens if you don’t burn them right away? If you’ve ever pulled a candle out of storage and asked, “Do candles expire?”, you’re not alone.

The short answer: candles don’t expire like food — but they do lose quality over time.

This guide will walk you through how long different types of candles last, what causes them to degrade, and how to store your collection so they stay fresh and fragrant.

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📅 Do Candles Expire?

Candles don’t come with expiration dates, but they aren’t immortal. Over time, they may:

• Lose fragrance strength

• Burn unevenly

• Develop discoloration or fading

• Form surface cracks or frosting (especially soy candles)

How quickly this happens depends on the wax type, fragrance oils, wick quality, and storage conditions.

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🧪 What Causes Candles to Degrade?

1. Fragrance Breakdown

Fragrance oils and essential oils naturally fade. Exposure to air, heat, and direct sunlight speeds up this process. A once-strong candle can eventually burn with little or no scent throw.

2. Wax Quality Changes

• Soy candles (like Affinati’s) are clean-burning but more delicate — they may soften, discolor, or form surface frosting over time.

• Paraffin wax is more stable but less eco-friendly, and can smell stale after long storage.

• Beeswax holds up extremely well, often lasting 3–5 years with minimal scent loss.

• Coconut wax is luxurious but sensitive to heat and humidity, which can cause separation.

3. Wick Performance

Old wicks may absorb moisture or dry out, leading to uneven flames, tunneling, or excess soot.

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🕯️ How Long Do Candles Last? (By Wax Type)

Here’s a candle shelf life guide for 2025:

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🧼 How to Store Candles to Maximize Shelf Life

Proper storage makes a huge difference in whether your candles last months or years.

Best storage tips:

• Store in a cool, dry place (avoid bathrooms and kitchens where humidity fluctuates).

• Keep candles in their original boxes or dust covers when possible.

• Always use lids to protect fragrance oils.

• Avoid direct sunlight — UV light can fade colors and break down scents.

• Store candles upright to prevent warping or uneven settling.

Affinati’s soy candles are hand-poured in thick glass jars with fitted lids, designed to lock in fragrance and preserve freshness when stored correctly.

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🔥 Should You Burn an Old Candle?

Yes — as long as it still looks and smells good. Signs that a candle is safe to burn include:

• Wick is intact and centered

• Wax hasn’t separated or developed a musty smell

• Flame burns evenly without excess smoke

When not to burn:

• Candle smells stale, musty, or “off”

• Wax has cracked, separated, or shows mold-like spots

• Flame produces heavy black smoke

In those cases, it’s better to repurpose the wax (see below).

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♻️ Can You Repurpose Expired Candles?

Even if the fragrance has faded, old candles don’t have to go to waste. Here are creative ways to reuse expired wax:

• Make wax melts – Melt down leftover wax and pour into silicone molds.

• Layer into a new candle – Combine old wax with fresh wicks for a DIY project.

• Use for décor – Place old candles as decorative accents on bookshelves or tables.

• Fire starters – Small pieces of wax make great fire starters for camping or fireplaces.

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✨ How to Tell if a Candle Is Too Old

Still not sure if your candle is past its prime? Here are quick checks:

• Scent test: Does it still smell strong?

• Appearance test: Is the wax discolored, frosted, or separated?

• Burn test: Does it light easily and burn evenly?

If the answer to all three is yes — light it up and enjoy!

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FAQ: Do Candles Expire?

Q: Do soy candles expire faster than paraffin?
Yes. Soy is natural and more sensitive to light and air. For best scent throw, burn soy candles within 1–2 years.

Q: Can unused candles go bad?
They won’t “go bad” like food, but fragrance fades and wax can discolor if stored poorly.

Q: Do Bath & Body Works or Yankee Candles expire?
Both use paraffin-heavy blends, which last longer than soy — but scent strength still fades after 2–3 years.

Q: Do beeswax candles expire?
Beeswax has the longest shelf life (2–5 years) and is the least likely to lose scent.

Q: Can old candles be harmful?
No, but if wax smells rancid, smokes heavily, or looks moldy, don’t burn it. Repurpose instead.

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Why Affinati Candles Last Longer

While many mass-market candles use paraffin blends, Affinati candles are crafted with 100% soy wax and phthalate-free fragrance oils. This makes them:

• Cleaner burning

• Longer lasting with proper care

• Safer for indoor air quality

• Better for the environment

Our 3-Wick Candles and Signature Collection are designed to be enjoyed now — but when stored properly, they hold their fragrance and beauty for up to 2 years.

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Final Thoughts: Do Candles Expire?

Candles don’t technically expire, but they’re at their best when burned within 1–2 years. Proper storage — cool, dark, upright, and sealed — will help preserve fragrance strength and burn quality.

If you’ve been saving an Affinati candle for a special occasion, don’t wait too long — the experience is always better when the scent is fresh and vibrant. After all, candles are meant to be enjoyed, not hidden away.

👉 Shop Affinati’s Signature Soy Candle Collection and light up your space today.