Soy Wax Fragrance: Perfecting The Scented Candle Blend

Adding fragrance to a candle can be tricky, and getting the right amount is an important part of the candle-making process. The recommended fragrance load for a soy wax candle is between 5% and 10% of the weight of the wax used. This equates to around 1.6 fluid ounces of fragrance oil per pound of wax. However, some waxes can hold up to 12% fragrance oil without affecting the burn of the candle. It is important to note that the type of fragrance oil and personal preferences will also determine the amount of fragrance added.

The recommended fragrance load for soy wax candles is 5% to 10% of the wax weight

When making a candle, the first step is to determine how much liquid your jar can hold by measuring the amount of water it takes to fill the jar to the point where you would like the wax to be. This will be the volume of your candle vessel.

The next step is to decide on the fragrance oil load percentage. 6% is a good starting point, but you can use up to 10% for a strong hot throw.

To calculate how much candle wax to use, divide the container capacity by 1 plus the fragrance oil percentage. For example, if your container capacity is 180 grams and you want a 10% fragrance load, you would use the following formula: [Wax amount (g)] = [180 grams] / [1 + 10%] = 166.67 grams of wax.

To calculate the fragrance oil weight, subtract the wax amount from the container capacity. In this example, you would use 13.33 grams of fragrance oil.

It's important to note that you should always work with weight (grams or ounces) rather than volume measures (fluid ounces) when measuring candle wax and fragrance oil.

Additionally, the type of fragrance oil and your personal preference for scent throw will also impact the amount of fragrance oil you use. Some oils, such as those containing vanilla, can be stronger than others. Citrus and herbal oils may burn off too quickly or smell "off", so try adding these at a lower temperature or blending them with a higher-density oil.

When adding fragrance to your melted wax, refer to the manufacturer's recommendation for the ideal temperature. The wax should be at a higher temperature than just the melt point to ensure the wax molecules have fully expanded so that each fragrance molecule is trapped within the wax. Most fragrances should be added between 175-185° F.

Finally, remember that adding too much fragrance oil can cause issues such as candle sweating or curdling, and may impact the flame's ability to burn through the viscous fragrance oil.

The type of fragrance oil and personal preference will impact the amount of fragrance added

The type of fragrance oil and personal preference will significantly influence the amount of fragrance added to soy wax. The recommended fragrance load for a soy wax candle is between 5% and 10% of the wax weight. However, the type of fragrance oil can cause this percentage to vary. For example, citrus and herbal oils, particularly those made primarily of essential oils, have a lighter density and may burn off too quickly, impacting the scent throw. In this case, it is recommended to add these oils at a lower temperature and/or blend them with a higher-density oil. On the other hand, fragrances with vanilla, sandalwood, oudh, or caramel are heavier and require less fragrance, and a 6% load is recommended.

Additionally, personal preference plays a role in determining the fragrance load. A fragrance load of 6% to 8% is generally recommended to ensure a good scent throw without impacting the flame's ability to burn through the viscous fragrance oil. However, if a stronger scent is desired, the load can be increased to 10% or even 12% for some waxes, although this may cause issues such as candle sweating or curdling.

It is also important to note that the quality of the fragrance oil can impact the amount needed. High-quality, concentrated fragrance oils from suppliers like Luxury Candle Supplies typically require a lower usage rate of 6-8%. On the other hand, cheaper fragrance oils, such as those from Walmart, may require a higher usage rate to achieve the desired scent throw.

Therefore, finding the perfect fragrance load involves testing and experimenting with different types of fragrance oils and personal preferences to achieve the desired scent and performance.

Too much fragrance oil can overload the wax, causing sweating or curdling

When making candles, it's important to add the right amount of fragrance oil to your soy wax. If you add too much, it can overload the wax, leading to sweating or curdling.

Sweating occurs when fragrance oil is incorrectly added to soy wax. This can happen if the oil is added at too low a temperature, if it isn't stirred sufficiently, if an unsuitable oil is chosen, or if the wax supplier's recommendations are exceeded. When this happens, the fragrance oil won't bind fully to the wax, resulting in a thin layer of oil forming on the surface of the candle. While sweating doesn't affect the quality of the candle or its burn, it is important to wipe away the excess oil before burning the candle, as raw fragrance oil coming into contact with the flame can pose a serious fire risk.

To avoid sweating caused by fragrance oil, it's important to double-check that you're using a fragrance oil suitable for soy wax. Your wax supplier should be able to tell you how much fragrance oil to use, but typically, soy wax can't hold more than 8-10% fragrance oil without sweating occurring. It's also important to ensure that you're adding the fragrance oil at the correct temperature and stirring it sufficiently.

Curdling is another issue that can occur when too much fragrance oil is added to soy wax. Curdling is a temporary phase change that occurs when a small amount of wax changes from liquid to solid due to the fragrance oil being at a lower temperature than the liquid wax. While this can be resolved by stirring the wax, it's important to be aware of this issue to avoid unnecessary panic.

To summarise, adding too much fragrance oil to soy wax can cause sweating or curdling, both of which can be avoided by following the correct procedures for adding fragrance oil and using the recommended amount.

When adding fragrance, ensure the wax temperature is below the oil's flash point

When making candles, it's important to consider the flash point of the fragrance oil you're using. The flash point refers to the temperature at which the vapour from the oil may ignite when exposed to an open flame or spark. While this may sound alarming, it's important to understand that in order for combustion to occur, there needs to be a large volume of fragrance oil in an enclosed vessel. This is not typically the case when making candles, as the fragrance load is usually around 10%.

However, when adding fragrance oil to your soy wax, it is crucial to ensure that the wax temperature remains below the oil's flashpoint. This is because, at higher temperatures, the fragrance oil becomes more volatile and may catch alight. The ideal temperature range for adding fragrance oil is generally between 50-55°C, but this can vary depending on the type of wax and fragrance oil used. It's important to refer to the specific flash point of your fragrance oil and maintain the wax temperature below this point.

To ensure an even fragrance load, mix the oil thoroughly into the wax. It's worth noting that some fragrance oils are more viscous and may require the wax to be hotter than 60°C. In this case, it's crucial to ensure that the wax temperature cools down to the safe range of 50-55°C before pouring. Additionally, certain scents are heavier and require less fragrance oil. For example, fragrances with notes of vanilla, sandalwood, oudh, or caramel can be reduced to a 6% fragrance load without impacting the scent throw.

The recommended fragrance load for soy wax candles is typically between 5-10% of the weight of the wax. However, it's important to experiment and test different percentages to find the optimal scent throw for your specific combination of wax and fragrance oil. Remember, adding too much fragrance oil can overload the wax and cause issues such as candle sweating or curdling.

Using a heat gun to smooth out the tops of candles may not work, as soy wax dries down rough

Soy wax candles are notorious for their rough, bumpy, and lumpy tops. This is caused by the polymorphic nature of soy wax, which means it crystallizes in response to temperature changes and time. The longer the wax has during a temperature change, the more time there is for crystals to form. These crystals are responsible for the frosting in soy candles.

When making candles, soy wax begins to form solid crystals as soon as it starts to cool. If the wax is heated to 185 °F and then allowed to cool to the pouring temperature, crystals will form in the wax during that time. The more time that passes, the larger the crystals can become, especially if the wax is not lightly stirred to maintain a constant temperature throughout the blend. If conditions are not carefully controlled, the cooled candle's top will end up looking rough as the rest of the soy wax solidifies amidst the irregular crystalline structure.

To prevent rough tops, it is important to have a good temperature management plan in place. This involves understanding how the environment affects the candle-making process and finding the right temperature ranges for a specific candle design. It is recommended to test and observe how the soy wax behaves at different temperatures and in different ambient room conditions.

While it is possible to treat existing rough tops on soy candles with a heat gun, this can potentially create more problems than it solves. Applying constant heat with a heat gun to the affected area will melt a depth of approximately 1/8" across the effective width of the container. However, if a lid or cover is placed above the melted surface, the risk of irregular cooling and crystal formation increases. Therefore, it is recommended to allow the top to cool evenly in open air after applying heat.

In conclusion, while using a heat gun can temporarily smooth out the tops of soy wax candles, it may not be a long-lasting solution due to the polymorphic nature of soy wax. To achieve consistently smooth candle tops, focusing on prevention and temperature control during the candle-making process is key.

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