Waxing Fragrant: Finding The Perfect Scent Ratio For Candles

When making candles, it's important to get the right balance of fragrance oil to wax. If you add too much fragrance, it can negatively impact the structure of your candle. The amount of fragrance oil you need depends on the type of wax and fragrance oil you're using, as well as the desired strength of the scent. As a general rule, you should use between 5-6% fragrance oil per pound of wax, but you can go up to 10% for a stronger scent. However, it's important to measure the weight, not the volume, of the fragrance oil, as different oils have different densities.

The maximum fragrance load is usually 10%

The maximum fragrance load for candles is usually 10% of the total wax weight. This means that if you are using 16 ounces of wax, you can add up to 1.6 ounces of fragrance oil.

However, it's important to note that not all fragrance oils and wax types are created equal. Every fragrance oil and wax type has different levels of density, which means that the weight of the oil or wax can vary even if the volume is the same. For example, one type of wax may melt down to 16 fluid ounces, while another denser wax may melt down to 18 fluid ounces, even though they both started as 1 pound of solid wax. This also applies to fragrance oils, where one type of oil may weigh less than another, even if they both measure out to 1 fluid ounce.

Because of these differences in density, it's important to measure both the wax and the fragrance load in terms of weight, rather than volume. This will ensure that you are adding the correct amount of fragrance oil to your wax and that your candle will have the desired scent strength.

It's also worth noting that just because the wax can hold a certain percentage of fragrance oil, it doesn't mean that you need to add the full amount. In fact, adding too much fragrance oil can negatively impact the structure of your candle. If you are unsure about the maximum fragrance load for your specific wax, it's safest to stay within the range of 5-6%.

You can use 1oz of fragrance oil per 1 pound of wax

When making candles, it's important to remember that the wax and fragrance load must be measured by weight, not volume. This is because every fragrance oil and wax type has different levels of density. For example, one pound of wax can melt down to 16 fl oz of liquid, but a denser wax could give you 18 fl oz of liquid.

If you want to add fragrance to your candles, you can use 1oz of fragrance oil per 1 pound of wax. This will give you a 6.2% fragrance load, which will make a nice candle with a stronger scent. However, if you want to add less fragrance, you can stay within the range of 5-6%.

To calculate the amount of fragrance oil you need, you can use the following formula: divide the maximum fragrance load percentage by 100 to make it a decimal number, then multiply this by the number of wax ounces you are using. For example, if the maximum fragrance load is 10%, you would divide 10 by 100, which equals 0.10. Then, multiply this by 16 (the number of wax ounces in 1 pound) to get 1.6, which is the maximum amount of fragrance oil you can add.

It's also important to note that just because the wax can hold a certain percentage of fragrance oil, it doesn't mean that the full amount is needed. However, exceeding the maximum fragrance load can negatively impact your candle structure.

The wax and fragrance load must be measured in terms of weight, not volume

To calculate the amount of fragrance oil to add to your wax, you need to first divide the maximum fragrance load percentage by 100 to make it a decimal number. For example, if the maximum fragrance load is 10%, you would divide 10 by 100, which equals 0.1. Then, multiply the decimal number by the number of wax ounces you are using. If you are using 16 ounces/1 pound of wax, you would multiply 0.1 by 16, which equals 1.6. This means that you can add a maximum of 1.6 ounces of fragrance oil to 16 ounces/1 pound of wax.

It's important to note that just because the wax is able to hold a certain percentage of fragrance oil, doesn't mean that the full amount is needed. However, you don't want to exceed this amount, as it 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%.

Some candle makers recommend using 1-1.5 ounces of fragrance oil per pound of wax. Coconut and soy waxes are said to have the highest scent throw, resulting in great hot or cold scent throws.

The type of wax and fragrance oil will determine the density

The maximum fragrance load percentage for your wax is important to consider. If you cannot find this information, it is recommended to stay within a range of 5-6%. To calculate the maximum fragrance load, divide the percentage by 100 to get a decimal number, then multiply this by the number of wax ounces. For example, if the maximum fragrance load is 10%, you would divide 10 by 100 to get 0.10, then multiply this by 16 (the number of wax ounces in one pound) to get 1.6, which is the maximum number of fragrance oil ounces you can add.

Using one ounce of fragrance oil per one pound of wax will result in a 6.2% fragrance load. While this will make a nicely scented candle, a different fragrance may not be noticeable at this percentage. Coconut and soy fragrance oils are recommended for beginners as they have a high scent throw.

The maximum fragrance load percentage can be calculated by dividing it by 100

The amount of fragrance oil you add to your candle wax depends on the type of wax and fragrance oil you're using, as well as the desired strength of the scent.

Candle-making experts recommend measuring wax and fragrance load in terms of weight, not volume, as every fragrance oil and wax type has a different density. For example, 1 pound of one type of wax may melt down to 16 fl oz of liquid, while a denser wax may yield 18 fl oz of liquid.

If you're using 1 pound of wax (16 net weight ounces), the maximum fragrance load is typically around 10%. To calculate the maximum fragrance load in ounces, divide the maximum fragrance load percentage by 100 to make it a decimal number (e.g. 10% = 0.10), then multiply this by the number of wax ounces (e.g. 0.10 x 16 = 1.6 ounces).

However, it's important to note that just because the wax can hold a certain percentage of fragrance oil doesn't mean you need to add the full amount. Adding too much fragrance oil can negatively impact the structure of your candle. If you're unsure about the maximum fragrance load percentage for your wax, it's generally safe to stay within the range of 5-6%.

For example, if you add 1 ounce of fragrance oil to 1 pound of wax, you'll achieve a 6.2% fragrance load, resulting in a candle with a stronger scent. On the other hand, some fragrance oils may require a higher load percentage to be noticeable. For instance, coconut and soy fragrance oils are known for their high scent throw, so you may only need to use 1-1.5 ounces of oil per pound of wax.

Frequently asked questions