The Art Of Scented Candles: Getting The Wax Right

There are many ways to add fragrance to a candle, including using essential oils, fragrance oils, or scented cubes. The amount of fragrance added to the wax is important, as too much can cause the candle to give off an unpleasant smell of burning fuel, and too little may not be noticeable. The type of wick used is also important, as it can affect the scent throw of the candle.

How to add fragrance oil to candle wax

To add fragrance oil to candle wax, you'll first need to buy a fragrance oil of your choice. Light the candle and let it burn for several minutes, or until about an inch of wax has melted around the wick. Blow the candle out and add 3-4 drops of fragrance oil for a light scent. If you want a richer scent, add several more drops. Stir the wax using a toothpick or a metal spoon. Let the wax cool and harden to deeply absorb the scent.

Make sure your wax has been removed from the heat source before adding fragrance oils. You want to bring the wax to a higher temperature than just the melt point to ensure the wax molecules have fully expanded. Most fragrances should be added between 175-185° F, but you should mix fragrance oils with candle wax once the wax has reached a temperature of at least 75°C.

Before you begin making candles, it can sometimes be helpful to sit your fragrance oil bottle into a bowl of warm water. This will reduce the chances that you will get oil and wax separation.

Each bottle of oil will have specific instructions regarding the number of drops, so follow these guidelines for best results.

The amount of fragrance oil to add

The amount of fragrance oil you add to candle wax depends on the type of wax and fragrance oil you're using. The temperature of the wax when you add the oil is also important. If you add fragrance oil when the wax is heated above its flash point, the oil will evaporate and the candle won't smell as nice. If you add the oil below the flash point, the oil and wax won't mix properly. You should bring the wax down to the flash point of the fragrance oil, then add the oil and gently stir the mixture. If the flash point is below 80 degrees Celsius, stir for 2 minutes to thoroughly mix the wax and oil.

The type of wick you use can also affect the scent of your candle. If you use a wick that's too small, the wax won't burn across the full diameter of the candle, and this can affect the scent.

You should also be careful not to add too much fragrance oil, as this can cause your candle to give off an unpleasant smell of burning fuel. A fragrance load of 6% should be enough to create a beautiful scent, and adding more than this will only increase costs and could cause the wax to not set up properly.

How long to let the candle burn for

To get the fragrance to bind with candle wax, you need to let the candle burn for several minutes or until about an inch-deep pool of melted wax has accumulated around the wick. Once you have this pool of wax, blow the candle out.

The amount of time it takes to get an inch-deep pool of wax will depend on the size of the candle and the temperature of the room. A larger candle will take longer to melt than a smaller candle. Similarly, a cooler room will cause the wax to melt more slowly than a warmer room.

If you are in a hurry, you can place the candle in the freezer for a few minutes before lighting it. This will help the wax to melt more quickly once the candle is lit.

Once you have blown the candle out, you can add 3-4 drops of fragrance oil to the melted wax. You can use an eye-dropper or a toothpick to add the oil. Stir the wax gently to ensure that the fragrance is evenly distributed.

Let the wax cool and harden completely before lighting the candle again. This will allow the fragrance to deeply absorb into the wax. The time it takes for the wax to cool and harden will depend on the temperature of the room. In a warm room, the wax may take several hours to harden completely.

How to stir the wax

To stir the wax, you'll need to use a toothpick or a metal spoon. You can also use an eye-dropper to add the fragrance oil.

Before you begin, it's a good idea to sit the fragrance oil bottle in a bowl of warm water. This will reduce the chances of oil and wax separation.

Then, light your candle and let it burn for several minutes, or until about an inch of wax has melted around the wick. Blow the candle out and add 3-4 drops of fragrance oil for a light scent, or more for a stronger scent.

Stir the wax and scent slowly, keeping a constant swirl in the melting pot. Be careful not to be too rough, as this can cause air bubbles to form.

What type of fragrance oil to use

To get the fragrance out of candle wax, you need to add the fragrance oil at the right temperature. If you add the fragrance oil when the molten wax is heated above its flash point, the fragrance oil will evaporate and the candle won't smell as nice. Adding the fragrance oil below the flash point will prevent the fragrance oil and wax from mixing properly. The temperature of the melted wax can have a significant impact on scent output. Adding fragrance oil at the wrong temperature can cause it to evaporate too quickly, resulting in poor scent performance. It's important to follow the recommended temperature range for adding fragrance oil to your specific wax, as this will ensure that the fragrance oil is properly dispersed throughout the wax and that it has enough time to bind with the wax before solidifying.

The type of fragrance oil you use will depend on the type of wax you are using. For example, zinc core wicks don't always perform well in natural waxes like soy because they do not usually get hot enough to burn the wax properly.

You should also consider the amount of fragrance oil you are adding. Sometimes going all out with your fragrance load can cause your candle to give off an unpleasant smell of burning fuel rather than the desired aroma. If you can get a beautiful scent from adding only 6% fragrance load, then there is no need to add the maximum 10-12%. Adding too much fragrance oil could cause the wax to not set up properly, leaving it soft and oily. The fragrance oil could leak out of the wax after it has set, leaving a puddle of oil on the top, at the bottom or all along the sides of your candle.

Frequently asked questions