The Art Of Scented Candles: Mastering Fragrance Percentage

Candles are often fragranced to add a pleasant aroma to a room. The amount of fragrance added to a candle is important, as it can affect the stability of the candle and the strength of the scent. Most waxes will not hold more than 12% fragrance, with store-bought candles containing an average of 6% fragrance and premium candles containing up to 10%. The type of fragrance used is also important, with strong, warm scents like cinnamon or cedarwood being perfect for winter candles, while citrus or floral scents are ideal for spring and summer. When making candles, it is important to heat the wax to the correct temperature before adding the fragrance oils to ensure even distribution.

How much fragrance oil to add to wax

Adding fragrance oil to wax is a simple process, but it's important to get the ratio right. A common amount to use is 6% or 1oz per pound of wax. This can be adjusted depending on the type of wax and your personal preference. For example, Golden Brands 464 Soy Wax has a maximum fragrance load of 10% or 1.6 ounces per pound of wax.

The amount of fragrance oil you add will depend on the total mass of your product. For example, if you have 100g of wax, you would add 10g of oil (10%). This would make the total mass of your product 110g. It's important to note that fragrance/scent load does not refer to the percentage of oil in the candle as a whole.

When adding fragrance oil to your wax, it's important to do a test to ensure you are adding the proper amount to fulfil your personal preference. The maximum amount of fragrance oil recommended is listed in the Recommended Applications section of each type 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.

The best fragrances for candles

Candles can contain up to 12% fragrance, although most store-bought candles contain an average of 6% fragrance, while premium candles can contain up to 10%. To optimise scent throw without compromising candle stability, it is recommended that candles contain between 6% and 10% fragrance.

When making your own candles, it is recommended that you use fragrances with a flashpoint above 175ºF to prevent your candle from catching fire. Strong, warm scents like cinnamon or cedarwood are perfect for winter candles, while citrus or floral scents are ideal for spring and summer. You can also find fruity, floral, and warm, earthy tones.

How to make a scented candle

To make a scented candle, you'll need to add fragrance oil to your wax. Most waxes won't hold more than 12% fragrance, and you should aim for somewhere between 6% and 10% to optimise scent throw without compromising candle stability. For a 10-ounce candle, you would need to use 1 ounce of fragrance.

You can choose from a wide range of fragrances, including floral, fruity, woody, and earthy scents. Strong, warm fragrances like cinnamon or cedarwood are perfect for winter candles, while citrus or floral scents are ideal for spring and summer.

To add fragrance to your candle, heat your wax to the correct temperature to ensure even distribution. The wax should be hot enough for the wax to fully expand, but not so hot that the fragrance degrades and loses its throw. You should use fragrances with a flashpoint above 175ºF; anything under that and your candle will easily catch fire. Allow your candles to cure for 24-48 hours to enhance the scent throw.

How to maximise scent throw

To maximise scent throw, it's important to use the right amount of fragrance in your candle mixture. Most waxes will not hold more than 12% fragrance, and to optimise scent throw without compromising candle stability, it's recommended to use between 6% and 10% fragrance.

The type of wax you use will determine the maximum amount of fragrance you can add. For example, if you're using a soy wax that can hold up to 10% fragrance and you're making a 10-ounce candle, you would need to use 1 ounce of fragrance.

It's also important to heat your wax to the correct temperature before adding the fragrance oils. This ensures even distribution and maximises scent throw. The recommended fragrance flashpoint is above 175ºF. You should also allow your candles to cure for 24-48 hours to enhance the scent throw.

Additionally, choosing the right fragrance for the season can make a difference. For example, strong, warm scents like cinnamon or cedarwood are perfect for winter candles, while citrus or floral scents are ideal for spring and summer.

How to cure candles to enhance scent throw

To cure candles and enhance their scent throw, it is important to add the right amount of fragrance to your wax. Most waxes will not hold more than 12% fragrance, with store-bought candles containing an average of 6% fragrance and premium candles containing up to 10%. To calculate the amount of fragrance to add, multiply the percentage of fragrance your wax can hold by the weight of the wax. For example, if you are using a soy wax that can hold up to 10% fragrance and you are making a 10-ounce candle, you would need to use 1 ounce of fragrance: 0.10 (percentage) x 10 oz (wax weight) = 1 oz (fragrance amount).

It is also important to heat your wax to the correct temperature before adding the fragrance oils, as this ensures even distribution. The recommended temperature is above 175ºF, as anything under that can cause your candle to easily catch fire. Allow your candles to cure for 24-48 hours to enhance the scent throw.

You can also maximise the scent throw by pairing your chosen fragrance with the right liquid candle dye. For example, strong, warm scents like cinnamon or cedarwood are perfect for winter candles, while citrus or floral scents are ideal for spring and summer.

Frequently asked questions