Enhancing Candle Aroma: Tips For A More Fragrant Experience

Candles are a great way to make your home smell amazing, but sometimes they can be a little lacklustre in the fragrance department. The term used to describe the strength of fragrance in a candle is called scent throw. There are a number of things you can do to maximise the scent throw of your candles.

Choose the right wax: Soy and coconut are natural, renewable, and sustainable, but paraffin has a stronger scent

When it comes to choosing the right wax for your candle, there are a few factors to consider. These include the type of candle you want to make, the importance of using natural wax, the desired scent throw, the level of difficulty, and the finish you want to achieve.

If you're looking for natural, renewable, and sustainable wax options, soy and coconut wax are excellent choices. Soy wax is derived from soybeans, making it a natural and renewable source. It has a soot-free burn and is a good scent carrier, making it perfect for scented candles. Coconut wax, on the other hand, is derived from coconuts and is also eco-friendly, vegan, and sustainable. It carries scent very well and has a slow and even burn. However, it is more expensive and can be difficult to find.

While soy and coconut wax are great natural alternatives, paraffin wax has a stronger scent throw. Paraffin is a byproduct of petroleum and is the most widely used and inexpensive wax for candle-making. It holds colour and scent well, making it suitable for highly saturated candles. However, it releases soot when burned, which has raised concerns about its environmental impact.

When choosing the right wax, it's essential to consider your specific needs and preferences. If a strong scent is your priority, paraffin may be the best option. However, if you prioritise natural and eco-friendly alternatives, soy and coconut wax are excellent choices, even though they have a slightly weaker scent throw.

Use fragrance oils: Add a few drops of fragrance oil to melted wax and stir gently

To get more aroma out of your candles, you can add fragrance oils to the melted wax and stir gently. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Choose the Right Fragrance Oil

Firstly, ensure you are using fragrance oils specifically formulated for candle use. Fragrance oils designed for candles will ensure optimal scent throw and even distribution in the wax. Check the product description before purchasing. If it is not indicated for candle use, contact the supplier or manufacturer to inquire about compatibility with candle wax.

Step 2: Prepare Your Candle

Light your candle and let it burn until you have a pool of melted wax around the wick. The size of the wax pool will depend on the diameter of your candle jar. As a general rule, aim for about an inch-deep pool of melted wax.

Step 3: Add Fragrance Oil

Once you have a sufficient pool of melted wax, blow out the candle. Now, add a few drops of your chosen fragrance oil to the melted wax. The number of drops will depend on the desired scent intensity and the concentration of your oil. For a light scent, 3-4 drops should be enough, while you may need several more for a richer fragrance. Always refer to the instructions on the bottle for guidance.

Step 4: Stir the Wax Gently

Use a small instrument like a toothpick or a chopstick to gently stir the wax and distribute the oil evenly. Start with small circles close to the wick and gradually work your way outwards. Be thorough and slow to avoid splattering hot wax.

Step 5: Let the Wax Cool

Allow the wax to cool down and harden completely. This step is crucial as it allows the fragrance oil to settle into the wax and absorb fully, enhancing the scent.

Step 6: Relight the Candle

Finally, relight your candle and enjoy the enhanced aroma! If you are not satisfied with the scent intensity, make a note of the number of drops used, and increase it the next time.

It is important to note that essential oils are not recommended for candle making as they are highly flammable and can pose a serious fire hazard. Fragrance oils designed specifically for candles are the safest option.

Cure your candles: Let candles cure for at least three days before burning to improve scent throw

Curing your candles is an essential step in candle-making, and it involves letting your candles sit for a period of time after pouring to ensure optimal performance. The curing period allows the wax to harden into a semi-solid state and enables the fragrance oil to bind effectively with the wax, resulting in a stronger scent throw when the candle is burned.

The length of the curing process depends on various factors, including the type of wax used. "Vegetable waxes", like soy, are polymorphic, meaning they continue to harden throughout their life due to the continuous formation of crystals in response to time and temperature changes. Therefore, it is recommended to cure soy candles for at least one to two weeks to ensure optimal performance. On the other hand, waxes like paraffin reach almost full hardness within a day or two of pouring, requiring a shorter curing period.

During the curing process, it is important to store your candles properly. Place a lid on each candle and store them in a cool, dry place away from excessive heat or light. This will help protect the wax and fragrance integrity.

Additionally, the fragrance oil-to-wax ratio and the temperature at which the fragrance oil is added to the wax are crucial factors in achieving the best scent throw. It is recommended to use the suggested percentage of fragrance oil for the specific type of wax and to add the fragrance oil at 185°F, stirring gently and thoroughly for optimal binding.

By following these steps and allowing your candles to cure for at least three days, preferably longer, you will be able to maximise the scent throw of your candles and enjoy a more aromatic experience when burning them.

Trim the wick: Before lighting, trim the wick to 1/4 to prevent wick crumbling and curling

Trimming the wick of a candle is an important step in candle care. Before lighting a candle, the wick should be trimmed to 1/4" to prevent wick crumbling and curling. This step also helps the candle burn cleaner with less soot. Trimming the wick also prevents the candle from producing black soot, which is a sign that the flame has been allowed to get too big and is burning off wax and scent oil too quickly.

It is recommended that candle wicks be trimmed regularly, about once every 3-4 hours, to maintain a good length and shape. This helps to prevent the wick from curling up and falling into the wax pool, becoming buried. If the wick is not trimmed regularly, it can also cause the candle to tunnel, meaning that only a small area of wax around the wick melts, creating a small hole instead of allowing the entire surface of the wax to melt evenly.

When trimming a candle wick, it is important to not cut it too short, as this can make it difficult to keep the wick lit. If the wick is too short, it can be fixed by melting the surrounding wax and using a pair of tweezers or a Q-tip to nudge the wick back to an upright position.

Trimming the wick is a simple step that can help prolong the life of a candle, ensure it burns evenly, and maximize its scent throw.

Burn for longer: Let the candle burn until the wax pool reaches the edge of the container to prevent tunnelling

Burning your candle for longer will help you get the most aroma out of it. This is because it helps to prevent tunnelling, a phenomenon where a candle melts through its centre without fully melting the surrounding wax, leaving a ledge of solid wax around the edge of its container.

To prevent tunnelling, you should let the candle burn until the wax pool reaches the edge of its container. This usually takes about an hour per inch of the jar's diameter. For example, a medium-sized candle in a 3-inch-wide jar should burn for 2-3 hours. If you blow out the candle before the wax pool reaches the edges, tunnelling will occur.

If the wax pool is not reaching the edge of the container after 2-3 hours, try gently swirling the candle container to encourage the wax to reach the edges.

It is also important to note that if you burn the candle for too long, you will heat and evaporate the fragrance too quickly, weakening the scent throw over time. Therefore, it is recommended to extinguish the candle when the burn pool is less than half an inch deep in the container.

Frequently asked questions