Creating Fragrant Candles: The Perfect Oil-To-Wax Ratio

Adding fragrance oil to candles is a tricky business. Too little fragrance oil and your candle won't smell very strongly; too much and the fragrance can clog the wick, making the scent weaker. The amount of fragrance oil you add depends on the type of wax, the type of fragrance oil, and how strong you want your candle to smell. The recommended fragrance load for a soy wax candle is between 5% and 10% of the weight of the wax used, but this can go up to 12% for blended waxes like coconut soy wax. For paraffin votive and pillar waxes, the maximum fragrance load is 1 ounce per pound of wax, while single-pour paraffin container waxes can usually hold up to 1.5 ounces of fragrance per pound.

The type of wax used

The type of wax you use for candle-making is important as it determines the fragrance oil load percentage. Different types of wax have different maximum fragrance load percentages, so it is important to refer to the manufacturer's guidelines. For example, Golden Brands 464 Soy Wax has a maximum fragrance load of 10% or 1.6 ounces per pound of wax.

Soy wax is a popular choice for candle-makers as it is non-toxic, easy to use, and emits minimal soot. It is also vegan-friendly, unlike beeswax. Paraffin wax, on the other hand, is not recommended due to its questionable nature.

When choosing a wax, it is important to consider the desired fragrance load. The recommended fragrance load for soy wax candles is generally between 5% to 10% of the weight of the wax used. However, some blended waxes like coconut soy wax can usually take up to 12%, resulting in a very strong scent throw.

It is also worth noting that the fragrance load can impact the candle's wick and melt pool. A higher fragrance load may require a larger wick to ensure a good scent throw. Additionally, the fragrance oil ratio can affect the appearance of the candle, with too much oil causing sweating or curdling.

When measuring the amount of wax and fragrance oil needed, it is important to work with weight (in ounces or grams) rather than volume measures (such as fluid ounces). This is because different types of wax and fragrance oil have different densities, and measuring by weight ensures accuracy.

Overall, choosing the right type of wax is a crucial step in the candle-making process, as it determines the maximum fragrance load, affects the scent throw, and impacts the overall appearance and performance of the candle.

The type of fragrance oil used

Paraffin votive and pillar waxes will usually hold a maximum of 1 ounce of fragrance oil per pound of wax, and single-pour paraffin container waxes can usually hold as much as 1.5 ounces of fragrance oil per pound of wax. For soy candles, the amount will vary between 1 to 2 ounces of fragrance oil per pound of wax.

It's important to note that the wax can only absorb a certain amount of fragrance oil, so make sure not to exceed the recommended amount. The recommended maximum usage levels for each type of wax should be specified by the manufacturer.

Additionally, the fragrance oil ratio may also impact what type of candle wicks to use and how the melt pool of the candle turns out.

When choosing a fragrance oil, it is also important to consider the quality and safety of the oil. Some fragrance oils may contain chemicals that are known to cause cancer and birth defects, so it is crucial to check the ingredients list and ensure that the oil is certified by the International Fragrance Association.

Furthermore, some fragrance oils may contain solvents called phthalates, which are used to make the scent of the oil linger. While the American Chemistry Council claims that phthalates are safe in low exposure levels, some people may prefer to use phthalate-free fragrance oils out of an abundance of caution.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that essential oils can also be used to scent candles. However, they may not provide as strong of a scent throw as fragrance oils, especially when the candle is burning.

The weight of the wax

When calculating the amount of fragrance oil needed, it's important to work with weight measurements in grams or ounces, rather than volume measurements like fluid ounces. This is because weight provides a more accurate representation of the amount of fragrance oil needed in relation to the weight of the wax.

To determine the amount of fragrance oil needed, start by figuring out the net weight of the candle, which includes both the wax and the oil. This will depend on the size of the candle container and the desired fill level. Once the net weight is determined, the fragrance load percentage can be decided, keeping in mind that a higher percentage will result in a stronger scent throw.

Using the chosen fragrance load percentage, the amount of wax needed can be calculated by dividing the net weight of the candle by one plus the fragrance load percentage. For example, if the net weight of the candle is 180 grams and a 10% fragrance load is desired, the calculation would be 180 grams divided by 1.10, resulting in approximately 163.6 grams of wax needed.

Finally, the amount of fragrance oil needed can be calculated by subtracting the weight of the wax from the net weight of the candle. In the previous example, this would be 180 grams minus 163.6 grams, resulting in approximately 16.4 grams of fragrance oil needed.

It's important to note that these calculations may vary depending on the specific type of wax and fragrance oil being used, as well as personal preferences for scent strength. Experimentation and testing are often necessary to find the perfect balance and create a candle with the desired scent throw.

The strength of the scent

The maximum amount of fragrance oil that can be added depends on the type of wax being used. For example, paraffin votive and pillar waxes typically hold a maximum of 1 ounce of fragrance oil per pound of wax, while soy wax can hold between 1 and 2 ounces. Blended waxes like coconut soy wax can usually take up to 12% fragrance load, resulting in a very strong scent throw.

When determining the amount of fragrance oil to add, it is important to consider personal preferences for the optimal scent throw. A good starting point is to aim for a fragrance load of 6% to 10% of the weight of the wax used in the candle. This means that for every 100 grams of wax, 6 to 10 grams of fragrance oil should be added.

It is also worth noting that the temperature at which the fragrance is added, the size of the wick, and the type of wax used can all impact the strength of the scent. Therefore, it is important to experiment and test different combinations to find the perfect balance for your candle.

The maximum fragrance load

It is important not to exceed the maximum fragrance load, as this can cause issues such as clogging the wick, impairing the burn, and causing candle sweating or curdling.

To calculate the amount of fragrance oil needed for a candle, first determine the weight of the wax you will be using. Then, decide on the desired fragrance load as a percentage. Finally, multiply the weight of the wax by the fragrance load percentage to get the weight of fragrance oil needed.

For example, if you are using 180 grams of soy wax and want a 10% fragrance load, you would calculate:

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

Fragrance amount (g) = 180 grams - 166.67 grams = 13.33 grams

Using too little fragrance oil may result in a low scent throw, while using too much may overload the wax and cause issues such as those mentioned above. It is important to test and experiment to find the optimal fragrance load for your specific candle-making setup.

Frequently asked questions