Katrina Rosales
Creating scented candles is a fun and easy way to make your home smell great and add a touch of luxury. You can make your own unique scents, shapes, and colours, limited only by your imagination. The process is simple: melt wax, add your chosen fragrance, and pour the mixture into heat-safe containers. However, there are some important things to consider when making high-fragrance candles, such as the type of wax and fragrance used, as well as the temperature and ratio of ingredients. The flashpoint, or the temperature at which a fragrance can ignite, is an important factor in candle-making, especially for gel candles. The type of fragrance you choose, such as essential oils or fragrance oils, will also impact the scent throw, or the strength and reach of the fragrance. With the right knowledge and ingredients, you can create amazing scented candles that suit your personal tastes.
How to Make High Fragrance Candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wax | Soy wax flakes, beeswax, paraffin wax |
| Wax weight | Twice the volume of the container |
| Container | Heat-safe, metal or glass jar |
| Wick | Attached to the bottom of the container |
| Double boiler | Bottom pot half-filled with water, top pot with wax flakes |
| Temperature | 185 °F (85 °C) |
| Essential oils | 2 teaspoons for every 4 ounces of wax |
| Commercial fragrance oils | 1 fluid ounce for every 1 pound of wax |
| Dye | 3-4 drops |
| Flash point | 170° F and above |
| Curing | 1 week |
| Fragrance oil load | 6-10% of overall wax weight |
| Storage | Cool, dark place, away from sunlight and heat |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right wax
The type of wax you choose for your candle is important, as it will determine how much fragrance your candle can hold, how well the fragrance is distributed, and how strong the scent is. The most popular types of wax for candle-making include soy wax, beeswax, paraffin wax, and coconut wax.
Soy wax is a good option for scented candles as it can hold a large amount of fragrance—up to 10% of the overall weight of the wax. It is also natural, biodegradable, and easy to clean up with just soap and water. However, soy wax has a lower melting point than other waxes, so it may not be suitable for candles that will be burned for long periods.
Beeswax is another natural option that has a sweet, honey-like scent. However, it may not hold additional fragrances as well as soy wax. If you do choose to add fragrance to beeswax, it is recommended to do a burn test to ensure the candle is safe and the fragrance is effective.
Paraffin wax is made from petroleum and has a higher melting point than soy or beeswax, making it a good option for candles that will be burned for extended periods. It can also hold more fragrance than other types of wax, with a flash point of 170°F. However, paraffin wax may release chemicals and soot when burned, so it may not be the best option for those concerned about air quality.
Coconut wax is a natural, vegan option that is becoming increasingly popular for candle-making. It has a high melting point and a long burn time, making it a good choice for pillar candles. Coconut wax also blends well with other waxes and can be used to create unique, custom blends.
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Selecting a fragrance oil
When selecting a fragrance oil, it is important to consider the type of wax you are using. Fragrance oils have a higher flashpoint, which means they are less likely to ignite than other fragrance options. However, the flashpoint of the fragrance oil you choose should be above 170°F, and ideally above 185°F, to ensure safety. The flashpoint is the temperature at which the oil will ignite if exposed to a spark or flame. The flashpoint is particularly important if you are making gel candles, as a lower flashpoint may restrict your shipping options due to fire hazards.
Another factor to consider is the strength of the fragrance oil. Fragrance oils are generally stronger than essential oils, so you will need less oil relative to the amount of wax. A good rule of thumb is to use roughly 6-10% fragrance oil by weight relative to the weight of the wax. You can add slightly less or more depending on your preference for fragrance strength, but be careful not to add more than 10%, as this may affect the integrity of your candle.
Finally, it is important to consider the safety and quality of the fragrance oil. Fragrance oils often contain harmful chemicals such as phthalates and parabens, which can cause health issues. However, there are natural fragrance oil options available that are phthalate and paraben-free. These natural fragrance oils are composed of aromatic isolates from nature and essential oils. They tend to be more expensive than standard fragrance oils but are a safer option.
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Adding fragrance to the wax
When adding fragrance, it is crucial to consider the temperature of the wax. The ideal temperature range for adding fragrance is between 175°F and 185°F (85°C). If the wax is too hot, the fragrance may burn off, and if it is not hot enough, the wax will not fully expand, and the fragrance may not distribute evenly. Therefore, it is recommended to remove the wax from the heat source before adding the fragrance. The flashpoint, or the temperature at which a fragrance can ignite, is also an important consideration, especially for gel candles. Most gel candle manufacturers recommend using a non-polar fragrance with a flashpoint of at least 170°F.
The amount of fragrance to add depends on the weight of the wax. A good rule of thumb is to add roughly 6-10% of the overall weight of the wax in fragrance oil. For essential oils, use about 2 teaspoons (9.9 mL) for every 4 ounces (110 g) of wax. Commercial fragrance oils are stronger, so only 1 fluid ounce (30 mL) is needed for every 1 pound (450 g) of wax. It is also possible to create unique scents by mixing different oils and fragrances.
When adding fragrance, it is important to stir the mixture for at least 2 minutes to ensure even distribution. After adding the fragrance, let the candle cure for about a week before testing it. Curing allows the fragrance oil to "spread out" into the wax, resulting in a better scent throw.
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Mixing different fragrances
When making scented candles, you can experiment with different fragrances to create a unique scent. The process of mixing fragrances is called "building a scent profile". You can use multiple fragrance oils or essential oils in a single candle.
There are a few different methods for testing custom scents. The first method involves measuring out 2-4 separate fragrance oils into an empty container, adding the mixture to hot wax, and making a test candle. This method can be wasteful and expensive, especially if you are a beginner. Another method is the Q-tip method, which is less wasteful. This involves dipping a Q-tip into 2-4 fragrance oils and sealing them into a small container or mason jar.
When mixing fragrances, it is important to consider the flash point of each fragrance. The flash point is the temperature at which a fragrance can ignite when exposed to an open flame or spark. Fragrance oils have a higher flash point than essential oils, which means there is more flexibility when melting wax and blending in the fragrance. In general, you can add fragrance when the wax is between 175ºF to 185ºF. However, it is important to remove the wax from the heat source before adding the fragrance to avoid degrading the fragrance and losing its throw.
The amount of fragrance you use is also important. Too much fragrance can affect the integrity of your candle. A good rule of thumb is to use roughly 6-10% of the overall weight of your wax. If you find the fragrance too strong, you can reduce it to 5-7%. For essential oils, use about 1 ounce of oil for every pound of wax.
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Curing the candle
Curing a candle is a critical component of the candle-making process. It is the process of allowing a candle to sit and "rest" after it has been poured and set. During this time, the fragrance and colour in the candle will fully develop, resulting in a stronger, more vibrant candle. Curing is important because it allows the scent and colour of a candle to fully develop, resulting in a more pleasing and effective product. If a candle is burned before it’s fully cured, the scent may be weak and the colour may be muted.
The length of time to cure your candle will depend on the type of wax and fragrance oil you’re using. The type of fragrance oil and how much you use can have an effect on curing times. For example, paraffin wax will stabilize at a much faster rate than vegetable-based waxes like soy, palm, or coconut. Most people recommend at least 24 to 48 hours for a paraffin-based candle, and up to a week for a soy-based candle. However, some candle makers cure their soy wax candles for two weeks to ensure the fragrance and colour have fully developed.
During the curing process, your wax hardens, and as your wax hardens, it pushes and distributes your fragrance oil throughout your candle wax. This will greatly improve the scent throw (both hot and cold throw) throughout the lifespan of your candle. A candle that hasn't cured long enough will have a softer texture, requiring less heat to melt the wax (smaller wick). As time goes by and the wax hardens, the candle wick will need to give off more heat to melt the wax (larger wick). Testing a candle before it has cured will not give accurate results for how your candle burns, which may lead to incorrect wick sizing.
Burn testing is not an overnight activity. It can take a week or more depending on the testing framework in place. Testing can also expose the curing patterns for a particular candle. For example, if a candle is burned for 4 hours one day after being poured but wasn’t substantially cured, there will be evidence in subsequent burns. The middle generally hardens last, and the later burns will reveal how much softer it is in the middle compared to the outside.
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Frequently asked questions
Soy wax flakes are the most popular option as they are natural, affordable, and can hold fragrance well. Beeswax is another option, but it already has a natural honey scent which may not mix well with other fragrances. Paraffin wax holds scent the best, but it is made from petroleum and can release chemicals and soot.
Fragrance oils are the most widely used option for scented candles. They are cheap, easy to find, and come in a wide variety of scents. Essential oils are another option, but they are more expensive and have a weaker scent throw.
A good rule of thumb is to add about 6-10% of the overall weight of your wax in fragrance oil. For essential oils, use about 1 ounce of oil for every pound of wax.
Add your fragrance when the wax is between 175ºF to 185ºF. This is high enough for the wax to expand and absorb the fragrance, but not so high that the fragrance will degrade.
Store fragrance oils in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight or heat. Keep them in tightly sealed containers to preserve their scent strength and quality.
