Crafting Fragrant Candles: Secrets To Long-Lasting Aroma

Candles are a great way to create a cosy atmosphere and fill your home with your favourite scents. Making your own candles at home is a fun and easy project that can save you money and ensure your candles burn for longer. With just a few simple ingredients and supplies, you can create long-lasting, aromatic candles that are perfect for gifting or enjoying yourself.

Choose the right-sized candle for the room

When choosing a candle, it's important to consider the size of the room it will be placed in. The scent of a candle is determined by its cold throw and hot throw. The cold throw is the scent of the candle when the wax is solid, and the hot throw is the scent that is emitted when the wax is melted by the flame, creating a melt pool. The larger the melt pool, the stronger the hot throw, and the more space the scent will fill.

For smaller spaces like bathrooms, small bedrooms, desks, or entryways, opt for smaller candles. A 4-ounce candle is a good choice for these spaces, as it has a burn time of 25+ hours.

For larger spaces such as living rooms, kitchens, or bedrooms, choose a larger candle, such as an 8-ounce candle or bigger. These candles typically have a burn time of 50+ hours, making them suitable for larger areas.

Another rule of thumb is the 8-10 rule, which suggests placing one 8-ounce candle for every 10 feet radius of the room. This ensures that the candle scent permeates the entire space evenly. Additionally, avoid placing candles too close together, as they may produce too much heat.

When selecting a candle size, consider the airflow and enclosure of the space. Open floor plans or spaces with high airflow may require a stronger-scented candle or a candle with multiple wicks to fill the area with fragrance.

Experiment with different sizes and scents to find the perfect combination for your space, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Burn for a few hours on the first use

Burning a new candle for only a few minutes can be detrimental to its longevity. It is recommended that, upon first use, you burn your candle for a few hours to allow the top layer of wax to fully melt, creating a memory in the wax. This will ensure an even burn the next time you light the candle. Betsy Bullock, head of product development at Aromatique, advises burning your candle for at least four hours the first time around.

The reason for this is that wax has a memory. If you don't let the wax melt from rim to rim on its first burn, it will likely tunnel down into the wax from then on. The wick will sink deeper and deeper into the candle, and the wax on the sides will never burn, shortening the life of your candle.

Therefore, it is important to let your candle burn for a few hours on its first use to establish a good wax memory and ensure a long-lasting candle. This initial burn will also help to prevent tunnelling, which is the uneven melting of the wax, making your candle less aesthetically pleasing.

By following this simple step, you can make the most of your candle and enjoy its aroma for longer.

Trim the wick regularly

Trimming the wick is an important step in candle care, and it should be done regularly to ensure a cleaner and more efficient burn. The ideal length for a wick is about a quarter to an eighth of an inch. This length will produce an ideal flame size and prevent the candle from burning through wax too quickly.

It is recommended that you trim the wick before lighting the candle, and also after every four hours of burn time. To trim the wick before lighting, simply use a tissue to remove the charred part of the wick once the candle has cooled completely. This will ensure the candle is ready for its next use and will help prolong its life.

Trimming the wick after burning is also beneficial. Once the flame is extinguished, allow the candle to cool down to room temperature. Then, use a candle wick trimmer tool to cut the wick down to the ideal length before relighting. This will ensure a cleaner burn the next time you light the candle.

Keeping the wick trimmed to the correct length is important for several reasons. Firstly, it helps to prevent uneven burning, which can lead to bursts of high flames or smoking. Secondly, it helps to avoid tunnelling, which is when the wax melts unevenly and can cause the candle to look less appealing and waste wax. Finally, a trimmed wick will give you a nice bright flame and help to prolong the life of your candle.

Avoid drafts and air currents

To make candles with a long-lasting aroma, it is important to avoid drafts and air currents. This is because currents of air can cause candles to burn unevenly, reducing their ability to light and wasting wax. Drafts can also cause excessive smoke or soot, which can leave messy black stains on your container.

To avoid drafts and air currents, it is recommended to keep candles away from areas of the house that tend to be drafty, such as open windows or doors. If you are outdoors, keep your candles guarded against the breeze, as wind can blow out the flame or knock it over.

Another way to avoid drafts is to choose the right-sized candle for your room. A small candle may not be able to fill a large space with its scent, while a large candle can overpower a small room.

Additionally, proper wick maintenance can help reduce the impact of drafts. Trimming the wick to the recommended length of about 1/4 to 1/8 inch can produce an ideal burn. A longer or crooked wick can result in uneven burning, bursts of high flames, or smoking.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your candles burn evenly, last longer, and maintain their aroma.

Store appropriately

The best place to store your candles is indoors, away from direct sunlight, and out of the way of drafts. Avoid storing candles in areas that are prone to high temperatures, such as near a kitchen stove, on a fireplace mantel, or in an attic. The ideal storage temperature is room temperature, as candles can melt in extreme heat.

If you're storing homemade candles, be sure to place lids on the jars to prevent dust from settling on the surface. Keep your candles in an easily accessible space, especially if they are intended for emergency use.

When storing candles, it's important to keep them upright and avoid stacking items on top of them. This will help to prevent warping and ensure the candle stays intact.

Additionally, it's a good idea to store candles away from flammable materials and potential sources of ignition. This will reduce the risk of fire hazards.

By following these storage guidelines, you can help ensure that your candles last longer and maintain their aroma.

Frequently asked questions