Adding Fragrance Oil To Gel Wax: Getting The Ratio Right

When making candles, it's important to get the right amount of fragrance oil to gel wax. Too much fragrance oil can cause your candle to give off an unpleasant smell of burning fuel, rather than the scent you were hoping for. It can also cause the wax to not set properly, leaving it soft and oily. The fragrance oil could even leak out of the wax after it has set, leaving a puddle of oil on the top, bottom or sides of your candle. So, how many drops of fragrance oil should you add to gel wax?

How much fragrance oil to add to gel wax

When adding fragrance oil to gel wax, it's important to find the right balance to avoid an unpleasant smell or a soft, oily candle. A common rule of thumb is to use 1 ounce of fragrance oil per pound of wax, which can be adjusted according to personal preference and the type of wax. For example, Golden Brands 464 Soy Wax has a maximum fragrance load of 10% or 1.6 ounces per pound of wax.

To calculate the amount of fragrance oil needed, you can use the following formula: multiply the maximum fragrance load percentage by the number of wax ounces. For instance, if the maximum fragrance load is 10% and you're using 16 ounces of wax, you'd multiply 0.10 by 16, resulting in 1.6 ounces of fragrance oil. This calculation ensures you don't exceed the maximum fragrance load, which can negatively impact the candle's structure.

It's worth noting that different types of wax have varying maximum fragrance load percentages, so it's important to refer to the fragrance information on the wax's product page or consult a wax guide. Additionally, some waxes can hold more or less fragrance oil than the standard 1 ounce per pound, so you can adjust the amount based on your preferences.

When measuring and adding fragrance oil to wax, it's recommended to use a scale for accuracy. Place a paper plate on the scale to protect it from the hot pouring pot, and then turn on the scale and let it reach zero. Tare the pouring pot to zero, and slowly pour in the fragrance oil until you reach the desired amount. Finally, stir the mixture with a metal spoon for about 2 to 3 minutes to ensure even distribution.

How to measure fragrance oil

When making candles, it's important to get the right amount of fragrance oil. Too much can negatively impact the candle's structure, leaving it soft and oily, and causing the wax to not set up properly. 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. It can also cause your candle to give off the unpleasant smell of burning fuel rather than the aroma you were going for.

A common amount to use is 6% or 1oz per pound of wax. This can be adjusted up or down depending on the type of wax you're using and personal preference. The maximum amount of fragrance oil recommended is listed in the Recommended Applications section of each type of wax. For example, Golden Brands 464 Soy Wax has a maximum fragrance load of 10% or 1.6 ounces per pound of wax. As each type of wax has a different maximum fragrance load percentage, refer to the fragrance information located on the wax information pages or check out a wax guide.

To simplify it, we’ll say that we are going to use 1 pound of wax (which is equal to 16 net weight ounces - not fluid ounces) and the maximum fragrance load is 10%. Begin by dividing the maximum fragrance load percentage by 100 to make it a decimal number (10/100 = .10). Then multiply the decimal number by the number of wax ounces you are using (.10 x 16 = 1.6). The result will tell you the maximum ounces of fragrance oil you can add to the 16 ounces/1 pound of wax. In this case, you should not exceed 1.6oz of fragrance oil.

Here's a step-by-step guide to measuring fragrance oil:

• Set a paper plate down on your scale to protect it from the hot pouring pot.
• Turn your scale on and let it reach zero. We recommend measuring in ounces but you can measure in grams if you prefer.
• Place your pouring pot on the scale and tare it out to zero.
• Take your bottle of fragrance oil and slowly pour it in until you reach the desired amount of fragrance.
• Finally, take a metal spoon and stir your fragrance for about two to three minutes.

How to add fragrance oil to gel wax

Adding fragrance oil to gel wax is a great way to create a pleasant aroma in your home. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

First, prepare your workspace by placing a paper plate on your scale to protect it from the hot pouring pot. Turn on the scale and let it reach zero. It is recommended to measure in ounces, but you can also use grams if you prefer. Place your pouring pot on the scale and tare it to zero.

Next, take your bottle of fragrance oil and slowly pour it into the wax. The general rule of thumb is to use one ounce of fragrance oil for every pound of wax. However, different types of wax can hold more or less fragrance oil. For example, Golden Brands 464 Soy Wax has a maximum fragrance load of 10% or 1.6 ounces per pound of wax. To calculate the maximum amount of fragrance oil for your specific wax, divide the maximum fragrance load percentage by 100 to get a decimal number, then multiply it by the number of wax ounces you are using. For instance, if the maximum fragrance load is 10%, the calculation would be 0.1 x 16 = 1.6, indicating that you should not exceed 1.6 ounces of fragrance oil for 16 ounces/1 pound of wax.

It's important to note that adding too much fragrance oil can negatively impact your candle structure and cause issues such as a soft and oily wax that doesn't set properly, or an unpleasant smell of burning fuel. Therefore, it's usually safest to stay within the range of 5-6% fragrance load.

Finally, use a metal spoon to stir the fragrance oil into the wax for about two to three minutes until it is thoroughly mixed.

Maximum fragrance load percentage

The maximum fragrance load percentage depends on the type of wax you are using. For example, Golden Brands 464 Soy Wax has a maximum fragrance load of 10% or 1.6 ounces per pound of wax.

To calculate the maximum fragrance load for your wax, first divide the maximum fragrance load percentage by 100 to make it a decimal number (e.g. 10% = 10/100 = 0.10). Then multiply this decimal number by the number of wax ounces you are using (e.g. 0.10 x 16 = 1.6). The result will tell you the maximum ounces of fragrance oil you can add to the wax.

A common amount to use is 6% or 1oz per pound of wax. This can be adjusted up or down depending on the type of wax and personal preference. However, it is important not to exceed the maximum fragrance load percentage for your wax, as this can negatively impact your candle structure. If you are unable to find the maximum fragrance load percentage for your wax, it is usually safest to stay within the range of 5-6%.

How to avoid fragrance oil leaking from gel wax

Adding too much fragrance oil to gel wax can cause the wax to not set up properly, leaving it soft and oily. The fragrance oil could then 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. To avoid this, it's important to add the correct amount of fragrance oil to gel wax.

The amount of fragrance oil you can add to gel wax depends on the type of wax you're using and your personal preference. A common amount to use is 6% or 1oz per pound of wax. However, this can be adjusted up or down. For example, Golden Brands 464 Soy Wax has a maximum fragrance load of 10% or 1.6 ounces per pound of wax.

To calculate the maximum amount of fragrance oil you can add to your gel wax, first, determine the maximum fragrance load percentage for your wax. This information is usually listed in the Recommended Applications section of each type of wax or on the wax information pages. If you are unable to find this information, it is usually safest to stay within the range of 5-6%.

Next, divide the maximum fragrance load percentage by 100 to make it a decimal number. For example, if the maximum fragrance load is 10%, divide 10 by 100 to get 0.10. Then, multiply this decimal number by the number of wax ounces you are using. For example, if you are using 16 ounces of wax, multiply 0.10 by 16 to get 1.6. This means you should not exceed 1.6oz of fragrance oil for 16 ounces/1 pound of wax.

By following these steps and adding the correct amount of fragrance oil to your gel wax, you can help prevent the oil from leaking out of the wax after it has set.

Frequently asked questions