Stop Storing Your Citronella Candles Outside: Here's Why

Many outdoor enthusiasts rely on citronella candles to get rid of mosquitos in their yard. Mosquitos are outside, so it makes sense to only use the candles outside and leave them there, right? It's time to rethink your citronella storage if that's your philosophy. Despite the fact that citronella candles are only intended for outdoor use, that's not where they should stay when they're unlit. You should move your candles indoors when they're cool and no longer in use to protect them from the outdoor elements. If you don't have a good indoor spot for your citronella candles, you can put them in a sheltered outdoor area or shed where they get some protection from rain, direct sunlight, and other weather elements. 

Not many people read the labels on candles, which is understandable; what's there to know about how to use citronella candles other than lighting them? As it turns out, their labels have been telling users to store in a cool, dry place the whole time. Any candle that claims to repel mosquitos is regulated by the EPA as a pesticide, so including this on the label is more than common — it's often required.

Any pet owners that let their beloved animals roam freely in the yard should exercise extra caution, since citronella is toxic to pets. Citronella candles generally contain a low concentration of actual citronella oil, but to be safe, make sure wherever you store candles, indoors or outdoors, is inaccessible to pets.

Let's say you accidentally leave your citronella candle outside. Can you still use it? The answer depends on how badly it has been damaged by being exposed to the elements. On the milder end of things, the candle will probably be less effective, but at worst, it can turn dangerous.

When a citronella candle gets rained on, problems can arise ranging from just a misshapen candle to a full-on fire hazard. Any water that's still in the candle can turn into steam as it heats up when lit, at which point you risk the candle cracking or even exploding and splashing hot wax around the area. If you've accidentally left your citronella candle in the rain, do not use it if the wax appears cloudy or discolored or if you can still see water in it.

It's not just rainy weather that causes problems — heat, cold, and even the sun can damage citronella candles. Different waxes have different melting points, but they can all melt, and softened candles burn quicker and more irregularly than those that are kept in cooler conditions. Cold weather is no good, either, since it can cause candles to crack. If you want to make your candles last longer, store citronella candles at room temperature or slightly cooler. If there are visible signs of any of these issues or foreign materials in the melted wax, it's safest to get a new candle.