The Perfect Ratio Of Fragrance Oil For Candles

When making candles, it's important to know how much fragrance oil to add to your wax. The amount of fragrance oil you use will depend on the weight of your candle, the type of wax you're using, and the strength of fragrance you want. You can use a formula to work out the amount of wax and fragrance oil you need, and the fragrance load percentage.

Fragrance load vs fragrance content

When making candles, it is important to understand the concepts of "fragrance load" and "fragrance content". The fragrance load is the percentage of oil based on the weight of the wax, whereas the fragrance content is the percentage of oil based on the weight of the wax and fragrance combination.

The fragrance load is important as it determines the maximum amount of fragrance oil that can be added to the wax without causing performance issues. For example, if the fragrance load is too high, it may cause the wick to become clogged. A good starting point for fragrance load is 6-8%, although this may vary depending on the type of oil being used. For instance, if the oil is particularly light, a higher fragrance load may be used.

The fragrance content, on the other hand, is based on the total weight of the wax and fragrance combination. This is important to consider when determining the net weight of the candle. For example, if a candle should have a net weight of 180 grams, and the fragrance load is 10%, then the fragrance content will be 18 grams.

To calculate the fragrance load and content, one must first determine the wax weight and the fragrance load percentage. This information is usually available from the wax supplier, especially if using a popular wax for candle-making. Once these values are known, a simple formula can be used to calculate the fragrance oil weight.

In summary, understanding the difference between fragrance load and fragrance content is crucial when making candles. By considering these two values, one can ensure that the candle has the desired net weight and fragrance strength without causing performance issues.

How to calculate the amount of fragrance oil

To calculate the amount of fragrance oil needed for a candle, you must first know the weight of the candle container. For example, if the container has a capacity of 220g of scented wax, and the wax can contain up to 10% fragrance, you will need 22g of fragrance oil.

The formula for this is: Fragrance amount (g) = Container capacity (g) - Wax amount (g).

It is recommended that candle manufacturers use a 6-8% fragrance percentage for their candles at the beginning of testing, unless it is a really light oil. This will help prevent the wick from becoming clogged and avoid performance issues.

If you are working with "market wax" (the most popular waxes for candle-making), the specification is usually available on the wax supplier's website. If you can't find it, try to stay in the 5-6% range.

How to test the fragrance oil

To test the fragrance oil in a candle, it's important to understand the concepts of "fragrance/scent load" and "fragrance/scent content". The fragrance/scent content method calculates the fragrance as a percentage of oil based on the weight of the wax and fragrance combination. The fragrance/scent load method calculates the fragrance as a percentage of oil based on the weight of the wax.

When testing fragrance oil, it's recommended to start with a 6-8% fragrance percentage to prevent the wick from becoming clogged and to avoid performance issues. You can use the following formula to calculate the amount of wax needed: [Wax amount (g)] = [Container capacity (g)] / [1 + Fragrance oil (%)]

For example, if you have a container with a capacity of 220g of scented wax and the wax can contain up to 10% fragrance, you would calculate 10% of 220g, which is 22g. So, you would need 200g of wax and 22g of fragrance.

Another example is if you have a candle with a net weight of 180 grams (including wax and oil), you can use a 10% fragrance load. Using the formula mentioned above, you can calculate the amount of wax needed.

It's important to note that the fragrance load specifications are usually available from the wax supplier, especially for popular waxes used in candle-making. If you can't find the information, it's recommended to stay within the 5-6% range to avoid any issues.

How to choose the right wax

The amount of fragrance oil you add to your candle depends on the weight of your candle. For example, if you have a 180g candle, you can use 6% fragrance oil to start with and increase to 10% for a stronger scent.

The type of wax you choose will depend on the type of candle you want to make. Paraffin wax is one of the most popular waxes for candle-making and can contain up to 12% fragrance. If you're using 'market wax', the specification is usually available on the wax supplier's website. If you can't find it, try to stay in the 5-6% range.

You can also calculate the amount of fragrance oil you need by using the following formula:

Fragrance amount (g) = Container capacity (g) - Wax amount (g)

It's important to know the concepts of "Fragrance/Scent Load" and "Fragrance/Scent Content". The "Fragrance/Scent Content" method is the fragrance calculation method in the blend and is based on a percentage of oil on the weight of the wax+ fragrance combo. The "Fragrance/Scent Load" method is the fragrance calculation method in the mixture and is based on a percentage of oil on the weight of the wax. For a correct calculation, take into mind the two methods: Fragrance Load = You must consider this value as you know the maximum value you can use with your wax.

How to avoid a clogged wick

To avoid a clogged wick, it is recommended that candle manufacturers use a 6-8% fragrance percentage for their candles at the beginning of testing, unless it is a really light oil. This will help prevent the wick from becoming clogged and avoid performance issues.

The amount of fragrance oil to use in a candle depends on the weight of the candle. For example, if your candle is 180 grams in net weight, you can use the following formula to know how much candle wax to use: [Wax amount (g)] = [Container capacity (g)] / [1 + Fragrance oil (%)]. So, if you want a 10% fragrance load, you would need to use 162 grams of wax (180 / 1.1).

Now that you know the weight of the wax, it is straightforward to figure out the fragrance amount. You can use the formula: Fragrance amount (g) = Container capacity (g) - Wax amount (g). So, for a 10% fragrance load in an 180-gram candle, you would need 18 grams of fragrance oil (180 - 162).

It is important to note that the fragrance percentage is based on the weight of the wax and fragrance combo. This is known as the "Fragrance/Scent Content" method. There is also the "Fragrance/Scent Load" method, which is based on the percentage of oil on the weight of the wax. For a correct calculation, you must consider both methods and the maximum value you can use with your wax.

Additionally, the specification for the maximum fragrance load is usually available on the wax supplier's website. If you can't find it, try to stay in the 5-6% range.

Frequently asked questions