Unlocking Aroma Beads Candles: How Do They Work?

Aroma beads are a safe and long-lasting alternative to scented candles. They are easy to make and can be used in a variety of ways, such as in a jar, bag, or baked into different shapes. The process involves adding fragrance oils and, optionally, colour dye to the beads, shaking them together, and then curing the beads. The fragrance oil is absorbed by the beads, which then slowly release the scent over time.

How to make aroma beads

Making aroma beads is a fun and simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating your own:

Gather Your Materials:

First, you will need to gather all the necessary items for making aroma beads. This includes:

• Aroma beads (1 pound)
• Fragrance oil (1-2 oz per pound of beads)
• Metal cookie cutters
• Parchment paper or a silicone sheet
• A large nail with a flat head (optional)
• A large container with a lid (HDPE plastic or glass)
• Liquid candle dye or mica (optional, for colour)

Prepare the Fragrance Oil:

If you wish to add colour to your aroma beads, mix a few drops of liquid candle dye with your fragrance oil. Start with just a drop or two, as you can always add more if needed. Stir the mixture until the dye is fully dissolved in the oil.

Mix the Aroma Beads and Fragrance Oil:

Place your aroma beads into the container. Pour the desired amount of fragrance oil (with or without added dye) into the container. Secure the lid tightly and give the container a good shake, ensuring that the fragrance oil and colour (if used) are evenly distributed among the beads.

Cure and Absorb:

The aroma beads will need time to cure and fully absorb the fragrance oil. This process can take anywhere from one day to two weeks, depending on the type of fragrance oil used. Heavier oils tend to take longer to absorb. During this time, shake the container periodically to help distribute the oil. The beads are ready for the next step when they are dry to the touch and no longer stick to the sides of the container.

Melting and Shaping (Optional):

If you want to melt your aroma beads into fun shapes, preheat your oven to 325°F-350°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place your metal cookie cutters on the sheet, filling each about 3/4 full of aroma beads. You can also add a large nail where you want the hole to be if you plan to hang your shaped beads. Bake the beads for 6-15 minutes, depending on the desired appearance. Longer baking times will result in a smoother finish.

Cooling and Packaging:

After removing the cookie sheet from the oven, allow the aroma beads to cool for about 10 minutes. Then, gently pop the beads out of the cookie cutters and set them aside to cool completely. Once cooled, your aroma beads are ready to be packaged or displayed!

Storage and Scent Life:

Store unused aroma beads in an airtight glass jar. When used as air fresheners, they will typically hold their scent for up to 45 days.

How to add fragrance to aroma beads

To add fragrance to aroma beads, start by gathering all the necessary items. You will need a large container with a lid (HDPE plastic containers or a glass jar work best), a digital scale, liquid candle dye, fragrance oil, and aroma beads.

Begin by measuring out 16 oz of aroma beads using your digital scale. Then, measure your desired amount of fragrance oil. Aroma beads can hold a maximum of 20 to 30% fragrance oil, but you may not need to add that much. It is recommended to start with 1 oz of fragrance oil per pound of beads and adjust according to your preference.

Next, add the desired amount of liquid candle dye to your fragrance oil and stir them together. Remember, a little goes a long way with the dyes, so start with just a few drops.

Pour the fragrance oil and candle dye mixture into the container with the aroma beads and secure the lid. Shake the container vigorously, ensuring that the lid is tight. You will need to shake the beads for a couple of minutes to evenly distribute the colour and fragrance oil. The beads will appear very wet, but it can take a few days for the oil to be fully absorbed.

Once the beads have fully absorbed the fragrance oil, you can pour them into sachet bags or use metal cookie cutters to melt them into desired shapes. If melting, preheat your oven to 325°F-350°F and follow the steps outlined in the previous response about shaping and baking aroma beads.

It is important to note that the fragrance absorption time may vary depending on the type of fragrance oil used. Thinner fragrances like citrus blends will absorb more quickly, while thicker fragrances like vanilla or cinnamon may take longer. Always ensure that the fragrance oil is completely absorbed before proceeding to the next steps.

How to add colour to aroma beads

Aroma beads are a great alternative to scented candles. They are easy to make, long-lasting, and can be used almost anywhere.

Adding Colour to Aroma Beads

If you want to add colour to your aroma beads, you can use either liquid candle dye or mica powder.

Using Liquid Candle Dye

• Add a few drops of liquid candle dye to your fragrance oil and stir them together. Remember, a little goes a long way with these dyes, so start with 2-3 drops and add more if needed.
• Pour the mixture into a container with the aroma beads and secure the lid.
• Shake the container vigorously for a couple of minutes to ensure the colour and fragrance oil are evenly distributed.

Using Mica Powder

• Mica powder is a great option if you want to create intensely coloured aroma beads.
• Start with 4-6 micro scoops of mica powder per pound of beads and mix it with the fragrance oil. This will help the mica adhere to the beads.
• You can add more mica powder for a deeper colour, but be careful not to add too much as it can interfere with the absorption of the fragrance oil and the melting of the beads.
• You can also add glitter to your aroma beads for an extra shiny effect!

Tips for Success

• Always use a sealed container or bag when mixing colour and fragrance with your aroma beads.
• Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes after shaking to ensure the colour and fragrance are fully dispersed.
• The fragrance oil can take anywhere from 1 day to 2 weeks to be fully absorbed by the beads, so be patient!
• If you're using darker fragrance oils, such as vanilla or cinnamon, be aware that they may affect the final colour of your aroma beads.

Now you're ready to get creative and make your own colourful and fragrant aroma beads!

How to bake aroma beads

To bake aroma beads, you will need the following:

• Metal cookie cutters
• Parchment paper or a silicone sheet (not wax paper)
• A large nail with a flat head (optional)
• A large container with a lid (HDPE plastic containers are best, but glass will also work)
• A digital scale
• Fragrance oil
• Liquid candle dye or coloured pigments

First, measure out 16 oz of aroma beads using your digital scale. Measure out your fragrance oil—the beads can hold up to 2 oz of fragrance oil per pound, but you can start with 1 oz and add more as needed. If you are using an 8:2 ratio, that's 2 oz of fragrance oil for every 8 oz of premium unscented aroma beads.

Next, add the desired amount of liquid candle dye to your fragrance oil and stir them together. Remember that a little goes a long way with dyes, especially in aroma beads, so start with just 2 or 3 drops.

Pour the fragrance oil/candle dye mixture into the container with the aroma beads and secure the lid. Make sure the lid is on tight! Give the aroma beads a good shake while keeping your hand over the lid of the container. Shake the beads for a couple of minutes to get the colour and fragrance oil to fully disperse. The beads will look very wet, but it can take a few days for the oil to be fully absorbed.

Once the beads have fully absorbed the fragrance oil, you can bake them into shapes. Preheat your oven to between 325°F and 350°F. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit your cookie sheet and lay out your cookie cutters on the sheet. Try to use cookie cutters that are the same size so they will melt evenly. Place the nail where you want the hole to be (this is optional, but useful if you want to thread some rope or string through your air fresheners to hang them up).

Pour the aroma beads around the nail and fill the cookie cutters about 3/4 full. Pack them in by tapping them with your fingers or the back of a spoon. Bake the aroma beads for 6-10 minutes. The time needed will depend on the size and thickness of your cookie cutters, and the type of oven you have.

Take the cookie sheet out of the oven and let the aroma beads cool for a few minutes. After about 10 minutes, while the aroma beads are still warm, pop them out of the cookie cutters, remove the nail, and place them to the side to cool. Allow them to completely cool before packaging them or hanging them up.

Note that it is important to let the aroma beads cure for 8-10 days before baking them. Baking them too early can make the scent throw very weak.

How to store aroma beads

When storing aroma beads, it is important to use the correct type of container. Plastic bags are not airtight and therefore not suitable for storing aroma beads. Instead, opt for an airtight glass jar or a heavy-duty plastic container. Ensure the container is large enough that the beads can move freely when shaken.

Before storing, the beads should be left to cure for at least 4-5 days. This will ensure they are strong enough for use. The beads should be dry to the touch before being placed in the container. Once in the container, shake vigorously for a minute or two to ensure the colour and fragrance are evenly distributed.

Store the container in a cool, dark location. Exposure to direct sunlight or extreme heat can cause the beads to lose their scent.

Frequently asked questions