Seamus Hammond
Incense sticks are used across various cultures and settings, from religious ceremonies to aromatherapy. They are an easy way to fill your home with a beautiful fragrance. You can scent unscented incense sticks at home by coating them with essential oils. The number of drops of oil needed per stick varies between 10 and 20, depending on the source. You can also use fragrance oils or a combination of oils to create a unique scent. After coating the sticks, let them dry for 10 to 24 hours before burning them. Additionally, you can use dipropylene glycol (DPG) to prevent the incense from producing black smoke and to extend the longevity of the scent.
How to scent unscented incense sticks
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials required | Uncented incense sticks, essential oils, dipropylene glycol (DPG), glass dish, mug or cup |
| Number of drops of essential oil per stick | 20 |
| Number of drops of essential oil per 5 sticks | 100 |
| Drying time | 10-15 hours |
| DPG amount per stick | 1-1.5 ml |
| DPG function | Reduces black smoke, distributes aroma ingredients, increases longevity of scent |
| Drying method | Place sticks in a mug or cup with the scented end up |
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What You'll Learn
Using essential oils
Scenting incense sticks with essential oils is a simple process. The key challenge lies in formulating a delightful blend of essential oils. Earthy base notes from essential oils such as sandalwood, palo santo, and patchouli make excellent starting points. Cinnamon oil is a popular choice for its sweet, earthy aroma and its ability to induce stress relief and deeper sleep.
To make a single test stick of incense, apply up to 20 drops of essential oil directly to one incense stick. If you are using a blend of oils, be sure to mix them before applying them to the incense stick to ensure even distribution. You can use up to 4ml (about 100 drops) of essential oil per five incense sticks, and a little less per stick as the volume increases.
If you are not using DPG, simply lay your incense stick blanks on a tray lined with aluminium foil. Use a dropper or sprayer to distribute the essential oil blend evenly over your blanks. Place the soaked blanks on a rack to dry for 24 hours. After that, they can be packaged in wax paper or cellophane to protect their aroma.
If you are using DPG, insert your incense stick blanks into a shallow glass dish that is as small as possible while still allowing the blanks to lay flat. Once the sticks are set up, pour the DPG and essential oil blend into the container, covering the blanks completely. If needed, you can add extra DPG to make sure the sticks are completely covered. Cover the container and let the sticks soak for 24 hours in a safe spot away from direct sunlight or excessive heat or cold.
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Soaking sticks in oil
Scenting incense sticks using essential oils is a simple process. Before you begin, it is recommended to test your blend on a single stick. To do this, apply up to 20 drops of your chosen oil or oil blend directly to one incense stick.
If you are happy with your blend, you can begin the process of scenting a larger batch of incense sticks. Firstly, you will need to gather your materials. This includes a rectangular box or dish, a cooling rack or another tool to dry the sticks, your chosen fragrance oil, and dipropylene glycol (DPG). DPG is an additive used to reduce the black smoke burned by incense sticks and to increase the longevity of the scent. However, it is optional.
Next, you will need to prepare your oil blend. Measure out 20 ml (4 tsp) of DPG into your chosen box or dish, and then add 10 ml (2 tsp) of your chosen fragrance oil. Stir the mixture well. If you are not using DPG, simply mix your fragrance oils and set the blend aside.
Now, you are ready to begin scenting your incense sticks. Place your unscented incense sticks into the oil blend, ensuring that they are fully submerged. Allow the sticks to soak for at least 24 hours. The longer they soak, the better the saturation.
After soaking, remove the incense sticks from the oil and place them on a baking rack or another suitable drying surface. Be careful not to place them on paper, as the paper may stick to the incense as it dries. Allow the incense sticks to dry for another 24 hours. During this time, be sure to keep them away from heat sources and open flames.
Once the incense sticks are completely dry, they are ready to be burned. Light the tip of an incense stick with a match or butane lighter, blow it out, and allow the ember to burn down the stick, releasing your chosen fragrance.
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Drying the sticks
If you are using the dip-and-dry method, where you dip the sticks into a mixture of essential oils and dipropylene glycol (DPG), the drying time can be longer. Place the oil-soaked sticks in a mug or cup, with the incense end up, and let them dry for at least 10 to 15 hours. Some sources recommend letting them dry for up to 24 hours to ensure that the sticks are completely dry before burning. During this time, the aromatic oils will be absorbed into the sticks, and the sticks will become infused with the fragrance.
The drying environment is also important. It is recommended to let the incense sticks dry in a well-ventilated room, as the scent will permeate the space. If you want a particular room to have a pleasant aroma, such as a bathroom, you can let the sticks dry there. The fragrance from the drying sticks can linger in the room for several days.
Additionally, the material of the container you use for drying can make a difference. A porous material like ceramic or glass is generally recommended over plastic, as plastic may absorb some of the fragrances. Using a non-porous container, such as a glass mug or dish, helps to contain the scent and prevent it from evaporating too quickly, allowing the sticks to absorb more of the fragrance.
Finally, the climate and humidity levels in your environment can also impact the drying time. In more humid climates, it may take longer for the sticks to dry completely. You can adjust the drying time based on your local conditions to ensure the best results.
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Using dipropylene glycol (DPG)
To scent unscented incense sticks using dipropylene glycol (DPG), you will need to follow the steps outlined below:
Firstly, source your unscented incense sticks. These can be purchased cheaply online or from a local aromatherapy or Wiccan supplies store. It is important to note that ordinary bamboo sticks will not work for this purpose.
Next, prepare your fragrance oils. You can use essential oils or fragrance oils intended for diffusers. It is recommended to avoid synthetic fillers and opt for stronger fragrance types. If you want to get creative, you can even mix different oils to create a unique scent.
Now, it's time to mix your fragrance oils with the DPG. The standard ratio is 1/3 fragrance oil to 2/3 DPG, but you can experiment with the proportions to find the scent strength that suits your preference. Just be cautious not to use too much DPG, as this may result in black smoke when the incense is burned.
Once you're happy with your fragrance oil blend, it's time to soak the incense sticks. Place the sticks horizontally in a flat pan or a skinny glass vase to minimize the amount of oil required. Alternatively, you can soak them vertically in a bucket or plastic tub, but keep in mind that the container may not be food-safe afterward. Allow the sticks to soak for at least 24 hours to ensure they absorb the fragrance adequately.
After soaking, remove the incense sticks from the oil mixture and place them on a baking rack or a plastic/metal sheet to dry. This drying process should also take at least 24 hours. Proper drying is crucial to ensure the incense burns effectively and to prevent unpleasant odors.
Finally, once your incense sticks are completely dry, they are ready to be burned. Always store them in a dark place, out of the reach of children, and never leave children unattended around burning incense.
By following these steps, you can create your own customized, fragrant incense sticks using DPG as a carrier for your chosen fragrances.
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Lighting the incense
When you are ready to light your incense, choose a well-ventilated area to ensure proper airflow and minimise the risk of smoke build-up. Place the incense stick in an upright position, holding it securely at the base. Using a match or a butane lighter, carefully ignite the tip of the incense stick. It is important to use a match or a butane lighter, as other lighters may produce a strong flame that could be dangerous.
Once the tip of the incense stick is glowing, gently blow out the flame. This will allow the ember to slowly burn down the stick, releasing the essential oils and creating a pleasant scented smoke. Be cautious and avoid touching the ember or the hot tip of the incense stick, as it can cause burns.
Depending on the length of your incense stick, it can burn for up to two hours. If you need to extinguish the incense before it burns out completely, you can carefully dip the glowing ember into a small amount of water. This will instantly put out the flame, and you can relight the incense when needed. Always exercise caution when burning incense, and ensure that it is kept out of the reach of children and pets.
Additionally, be mindful of your surroundings when lighting and burning incense. Incense sticks produce smoke, so it is important to ensure proper ventilation to prevent smoke accumulation. Avoid leaving burning incense unattended, and always dispose of the ashes responsibly, ensuring that they are completely extinguished before discarding them.
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Frequently asked questions
You can scent unscented incense sticks with essential oils. You will need a shallow dish, a mug, and some dipropylene glycol (DPG) to prevent the incense from giving off black smoke. First, mix 20 drops of your chosen essential oil with 1-1.5ml of DPG in the shallow dish. Next, place up to 5 sticks in the dish and gently press them into the oil until absorbed. Then, place the sticks in a mug and leave them to dry for 10-15 hours before burning.
Depending on the length of the incense stick, they can burn for up to 2 hours.
You can use a wide range of essential oils to scent incense sticks, including sweet, fresh mint oil, spruce needle oil, and citrus oils. Earthy base notes such as sandalwood, palo santo, and patchouli are also popular choices.
Yes, you can make incense sticks without using DPG. Simply apply 20 drops of essential oil directly to the incense stick or use a sprayer to distribute the oil evenly. Then, place the sticks on a rack to dry for 24 hours.
It is recommended to use a glass dish to avoid fragrance absorption. Plastic containers can absorb some of the fragrance, which may be an issue if you plan to use multiple scents.
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