The Art Of Scented Candles: Mastering Fragrance Quantity

When making a scented candle, it's important to know how much fragrance to add to your wax. The amount of fragrance you add will depend on the type of wax you're using, the temperature of the wax, and the desired strength of the scent. Generally, 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%. When adding fragrance to your candle wax, it's important to ensure that the wax temperature is below the flashpoint of the fragrance to prevent it from becoming volatile and catching alight. The flashpoint is the temperature at which the fragrance becomes volatile and may ignite.

How much fragrance oil to add to candle wax

Adding fragrance oil to candle wax is a simple process, but it's important to get the measurements right. The amount of fragrance oil you should add to your wax depends on the type of wax you're using and your 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.

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 your personal preference. 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%.

To work out how much fragrance oil to add, you can use the following formula: multiply your jar volume by the percentage you would like to use. For example, if you are using 1 pound of wax (16 net weight ounces) and want to use the maximum fragrance load of 10%, you would multiply 16 by 0.1, which equals 1.6 ounces of fragrance oil.

It's 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. Adding too much fragrance oil can negatively impact the structure of your candle. Always do a test to ensure you are adding the proper amount of wax to fulfil your personal preference.

The flashpoint of fragrance oil

When adding fragrance oil to candle wax, it is important to only add the oil when the wax temperature is below the flashpoint of the fragrance. This is to prevent the oil from becoming volatile and catching fire.

The amount of fragrance oil you add to the wax will depend on the desired scent strength. For a light scent, 3-4 drops of oil should be enough. If you want a richer scent, you can add several more drops. However, it is important to note that most waxes will not hold more than 12% fragrance. Typically, store-bought candles contain an average of 6% fragrance, while high-quality premium candles can contain up to 10%.

To ensure the best results, it is recommended to use a candle-making thermometer to constantly monitor the wax temperature. As a general rule, regardless of the type of wax you are using, you should add the fragrance oil at the following temperatures:

• Fragrance flashpoint under 130°F: Add it to wax at 130°F
• Fragrance flashpoint between 130°F to 180°F: Add it to wax at the fragrance flashpoint
• Fragrance flashpoint above 180°F: Add it to wax at 180°F

How to add fragrance oil to candle wax

When making a candle, it's important to know how much wax your vessel holds and how much fragrance to use. The amount of fragrance oil you add will depend on the strength of scent you want. For a light scent, 3-4 drops of fragrance oil should be enough, but if you want a richer scent, you can add several more drops. However, most waxes will not hold more than 12% fragrance, so be careful not to add too much.

To add fragrance oil to your candle wax, first light the candle and let it burn for several minutes, or until about an inch of wax has melted around the wick. Then, blow the candle out and use an eye-dropper to add your desired amount of fragrance oil to the hot pool of melted wax. Stir the wax with a toothpick, then let it cool and harden to deeply absorb the scent.

It's important to monitor the temperature of your wax when adding fragrance oil. Only add the fragrance when the wax temperature is below the flashpoint of the fragrance, which is generally between 50-55 degrees Celsius, but this will vary depending on the wax and fragrance you are using. The flashpoint is the temperature at which the fragrance becomes volatile and may catch alight.

If you are making a large batch of candles, base all your measurements on the total amount of wax you have by weight, and add the fragrance by weight as well.

The temperature of the wax when adding fragrance oil

It is recommended to use a candle-making thermometer to constantly monitor your wax temperature and get the best results. As a general rule, and regardless of the kind of wax you use, it is recommended to:

• Fragrance Flashpoint Under 130ºF = Add it to wax at 130ºF
• Fragrance Flashpoint Between 130ºF to 180ºF = Add it to wax at the fragrance flashpoint
• Fragrance Flashpoint Above 180ºF = Add it to wax at 180ºF

It is important to note that fragrance oils do not degrade in hot waxes. So, if you pour your fragrance into a wax that's hotter than the fragrance flashpoint, it doesn't mean that the fragrance will lose its throw or catch fire. However, in general, most waxes will not hold more than 12 per cent fragrance. Usually, candles you find in stores contain an average of about six per cent fragrance, whereas high-quality premium candles contain up to 10 per cent.

The type of wax used

You should always use a candle-making thermometer to monitor the wax temperature and get the best results. As a general rule, regardless of the kind of wax you use, you should follow these guidelines:

• Fragrance flashpoint under 130ºF: Add it to wax at 130ºF
• Fragrance flashpoint between 130ºF to 180ºF: Add it to wax at the fragrance flashpoint
• Fragrance flashpoint above 180ºF: Add it to wax at 180ºF

It's also worth noting that fragrance oils do not degrade in hot waxes, so if you pour your fragrance into wax that's hotter than the fragrance flashpoint, it won't lose its scent or catch fire. However, most waxes will not hold more than 12% fragrance. Usually, store-bought candles contain an average of about 6% fragrance, while high-quality premium candles contain up to 10%.

Frequently asked questions