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Incense – Does it Expire or Go Bad after Some Time?

Incense stick

Last Updated on May 16, 2022 by IncenseJunction

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Incense has been popular for very many years and has been used in different places such as churches and temples. Incense is still popular to date for various reasons. One main reason why we love burning incense is the amazing fragrance. Not to forget that there are various benefits, medical and otherwise, associated with burning incense. It is therefore common for people to purchase incense in bulk. But before you purchase a lot of incense at once, it is important to ask yourself, does incense expire? Well, we have prepared this post to help answer this question and help store incense better.

Proper Incense Storage

In case you have purchased incense and do not intend to use it immediately, we recommend that you avoid removing it from the original package. Additionally, place it inside a dark cupboard or in a storage box. The most efficient closet is a linen one because any fragrance that escapes will provide additional fragrance to the towels and sheets.

If you have opened the packaging and the incense is exposed to air, you should use an airtight container to store it. Make sure you place it in a cool and dark place. Avoid storing the incense in a place that has a source of humidity or heat. That means that you should avoid any bathroom or kitchen. A dry cool place would work best.

If stored properly, incense will last for a couple of years.

Note: Incense sticks have essential oils. Therefore, you should avoid storing them in plastic since it will make the oils unstable. Instead, use craft or wax paper because it will ensure it lasts longer.

Will Incense Go Bad?

It is quite simple. Incense will not go bad in the sense of expiry. However, if you store it in a place in which it is exposed to humidity, it can grow mold. That is why a dark and dry place is best. It prevents any mold from growing.

Nevertheless, if mold grows, you can still use incense. You would simply need to wipe or scrape off the grown mold before you light it. the heat will kill the mold spores that remain.

Incense, as we have said, does not necessarily go bad. Therefore, you can still use it. However, if you notice that the fragrance has changed drastically or it produces excessive smoke, you might have to get some more.

How to tell if your incense has expired

If you’re looking for an easy way to tell if your incense has expired, look at its color. If it’s turning dark brown or black, toss it out immediately because this means the essential oils have oxidized and begun to break down into toxic compounds. You can also smell the incense stick — if it smells rancid, discard it immediately as well because this means similar chemical reactions have occurred inside the stick itself.

Do incense sticks lose their scent?

Yes, incense sticks lose their scent after a period of time.

The reason for this is that when you burn incense, the oils from the herbs and spices used to make it will evaporate and rise into the air. This means that as you burn your incense, you are inhaling these oils. If you leave your sticks in an area where they can be exposed to moisture and humidity, they may begin to mold or mildew. The scent will also dissipate over time because of this exposure to moisture.

To ensure that your incense lasts as long as possible, store it in a dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources like heating vents or radiators. If possible, keep them in an airtight container or bag so that they do not absorb any moisture from the air around them. If you have purchased loose incense cones or chips instead of sticks, these should be kept in an airtight container too as they are much more likely to absorb moisture than their solid stick counterparts.

How long does Japanese incense last?

The average Japanese incense will last at least 2-3 years. But the main factors that determine the longevity of Japanese incense are how well you store it, the materials used to make the incense, Some types of incense are made with higher quality ingredients than others.

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Conclusion

Proper storage of incense ensures that it lasts longer and the fragrance is kept intact. Failure to do that will mess up the fragrance, which means that it might smell different or produces a lot of smoke. Make sure to store it properly and avoid storing different fragrances together.

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