How Do They Make Candles Scented?
Scented candles have become incredibly popular home decor and fragrance items over the last few decades. From luxury brands like Diptyque and Jo Malone to mass market brands like Yankee Candle, scented candles can be found in homes across the world. But the history of scented candles stretches back thousands of years.
The earliest known candles originated in ancient Egypt and China around 3,000 BCE. These early candles were made from tallow or beeswax and used for lighting purposes as well as in religious ceremonies. The ancient Egyptians were among the first to incorporate scents into their candlemaking by adding extracts from flowers, herbs, and spices. The purpose was twofold – to provide light and to honor their gods through aromas during rituals and ceremonies 1.
Over the centuries, candles spread to ancient Greece, Rome, and then Europe along trade routes. During the Middle Ages, candlemaking became an established craft in monasteries and among chandlers. The earliest evidence of modern scented candles emerged in Europe in the 13th century, when candles were made from beeswax and infused with extracts from plants and flowers. The scents were intended to cover up the unpleasant smells of tallow-based candles. Scented candles became popular among the wealthy and royalty by the 17th and 18th centuries 2.
Today, scented candles are predominantly made from paraffin wax or soy wax and scented with synthetic fragrance oils. They have become a popular consumer product that serves as home decor, air fresheners, aromatherapy, and more. The scents and vessel designs allow for creativity and personalization.
Candle Waxes
There are several common types of waxes used to make candles including paraffin, soy, beeswax, palm, and coconut wax. Each wax has different properties that impact the candle’s burn, scent throw, and overall performance.
Paraffin wax is the most widely used candle wax. It is derived from petroleum and is relatively inexpensive. Paraffin has a high melting point between 125-165°F which allows it to retain fragrances well. Its high melting point also creates a hotter burn and better scent throw. However, paraffin produces more soot than other waxes when burned [1].
Soy wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil. It has a lower melting point between 115-135°F. The lower melting point allows soy wax to melt into a liquid quickly and absorb fragrances easily. However, the lower melting point also means soy candles do not retain fragrance as long as paraffin. Soy wax burns cooler and cleaner than paraffin with less soot [2].
Beeswax has a honey color and comes from bee honeycombs. It has a very high melting point around 145-170°F allowing it to hold onto fragrances extremely well. Beeswax burns slowly and cleanly. However, beeswax is expensive and harder to work with compared to other waxes.
Palm and coconut waxes are made from the oils of palm plants and coconuts respectively. They burn clean but have lower melting points which limit scent throw and burn time. However, palm and coconut waxes remain soft after cooling which makes it easy to remove candles from molds.
Fragrance Oils
Fragrance oils are aromatic liquids used to scent candles and other products. They contain synthetic and/or natural chemical compounds dissolved in a carrier solvent like propylene glycol. In contrast to essential oils, which are derived directly from plants, fragrance oils are artificially created mixtures that mimic natural scents or produce completely new fragrances.
Fragrance oils can be made from both natural and synthetic sources. Some are composed entirely of natural ingredients like essential oils, absolutes, resins, and concretes extracted from flowers, fruits, seeds, leaves, wood, bark and roots. Others contain synthetic aroma chemicals that are used alone or blended with natural extracts. Synthetic fragrances allow for uniformity, consistency and the ability to create novel scents not found in nature.
Fragrances are comprised of top, middle and base notes that evaporate at different rates, creating a fragrance journey from first application to the final lingering aroma. Top notes provide the initial scent impression but dissipate quickly. Middle or heart notes emerge next and make up the main body of the fragrance. Base notes are the final fragrances to materialize and have the slowest evaporation rate, making them the most enduring smells. The combination of notes at varying concentrations produce complex, multi-layered fragrance compositions.
Adding Scent
The fragrance oil is what gives candles their scents. Fragrance oils are mixed with wax to permeate the air when the candle is burned. There are a few key factors to consider when adding fragrance to candle wax:
Fragrance oil can be added to wax in its melted state as the candle is being made. The wax needs to be completely melted so the fragrance oil blends thoroughly and evenly throughout. Most candle makers recommend adding fragrance oil at around 175-185°F.
The amount of fragrance oil needed depends on the size of the candle and personal preference for strength of scent. As a general guideline, use 0.5-1 ounce of fragrance per pound of wax. For example, a 10 oz candle would need about 0.6-1.2 ounces of fragrance oil. The more fragrance oil used, the stronger the scent will be when burning (source: Pinterest).
Testing is important to achieve the right fragrance level. The scent will be stronger when hot compared to cooled, so testing a cooled sample is best. Scent can also fade over time, so an initial stronger scent will last longer. Adjusting the amount of fragrance oil and retesting samples helps dial in the perfect long-lasting scent.
Wick Selection
Choosing the right wick is crucial for proper candle burning and scent dispersal. Wicks come in different materials like cotton, wood, and paper. Cotton wicks are the most common and work well with standard waxes like paraffin and soy. Wooden wicks make crackling sounds and are popular for soy candles. Larger diameter wicks are needed for thicker pillar candles while smaller wicks work for votives and jars.
Wick size should match the wax type. Soy and beeswax burn cooler than paraffin so they need a larger wick for an even burn. Consult a wick guide to select the proper width and ply for your wax. Too small of a wick will create smoke, soot, and diminish scent throw. Too large of a wick will cause the candle to burn too hot and tunnel down the center.
The right wick also improves hot scent throw. As the wick burns, it melts the top layer of wax which releases fragrance that carries up the wick. A properly sized wick optimizes how much wax is pooled around it for ideal scent dispersal into the air.
Candle Making Process
The candle making process involves several key steps that require careful temperature control and best practices to achieve high quality, effective scented candles. Here is an overview of the basic candle making process step-by-step:
1. Prepare the candle vessel or container by cleaning it thoroughly and potentially applying a release agent to help remove the finished candle.1
2. Melt wax to the proper temperature, usually between 150-170°F. Use a double boiler method or a wax melter to evenly distribute heat. Do not overheat the wax.
3. Add fragrance oils or essential oils once the wax is melted, generally using 1-2 ounces of fragrance per pound of wax. Stir thoroughly to incorporate.
4. Carefully pour the scented wax into the prepared candle container or mold.
5. Place the wick into the wax, centering it carefully. Allow the candle to fully set up and cool.
Proper temperature control is critical throughout the process to ensure the wax melts fully and the scent disperses evenly. Best practices include using high quality fragrance oils, avoiding drafts while pouring, and allowing adequate cure time for the finished candle. Testing wick size and monitoring burn quality help perfect the art of candle making.
Jar Candles
Jars are one of the most popular vessel choices for homemade candles. They come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny tealights to large mason jars. Glass jars are the best material for candles since they can withstand high temperatures and allow the candle scent to permeate through. Metal tins work too but can get very hot. Avoid using plastic containers which can melt from the heat.
When filling jar candles, there are a few techniques to get a smooth finish on top:
- Pour the wax just below the rim so it doesn’t overflow when cooling and shrinking. Leave some headspace.
- Pour at the proper temperature, around 150-165°F. Hotter wax may cause more bubbles.
- Let the wax cool slightly between pours. Top up the jars as the wax sinks.
- Tap the jar gently on the counter to release air bubbles.
Once poured, candles need to cure for 1-2 weeks before burning. This allows any trapped air bubbles to rise to the surface and the crystals in the wax to fully form. According to https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/how-to-cure-candles-517102, “During the curing process, candles become firmer and the scent becomes well-incorporated throughout the wax.” This results in a stronger scent throw and cleaner burn.
Pillar Candles
One of the most popular candle styles is the pillar candle. Pillar candles come in various shapes and sizes, from tall tapered pillars to short stout columns. Molding pillar candles requires paying close attention to wax temperature and pour rates to minimize flaws and defects.
The wax should be heated to the manufacturer’s recommended temperature, generally between 150-165°F to ensure proper pouring viscosity. The molds must also be warmed to prevent too rapid cooling and adherence when poured (source: https://lonestarcandlesupply.com/make-pillar-candles/). The wax is then carefully poured into the pillar mold, avoiding bubbles and drips.
As the wax cools, the mold needs to remain undisturbed to prevent cracks and deformations. Pillar candles can take up to 24 hours to fully cure and shrink away from the sides of the mold for easy release. Turning the mold upside down helps separate the finished candle from the mold. Any seam lines or imperfections can be trimmed off the pillar candle with a knife.
When making scented pillar candles, more fragrance oil is generally added compared to container candles since pillars are exposed on all surfaces. The wick must also be sized appropriately to promote full scent diffusion and an even burn pool when lit (source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAkaboD32ak). Testing is critical to achieve the desired scent throw and proper melt pool for pillar candles before full production.
Votive Candles
Votive candles are small candles that are typically contained in short, small glasses. They get their name from the Latin word “votum” meaning vow or dedication, as they were originally used in churches. Votive candles are now popularly used as decor in homes. They come in many colors and scents.
There are some special considerations when making scented votive candles:
– Use a lower wax melting temperature – Votive candles have less wax and less surface area than larger candles, so fragrances can become concentrated and overpowering if the wax fully melts and pools. A lower melting point wax around 125-135°F is ideal.
– Use less fragrance oil – An appropriate percentage of fragrance oil for votives is 4-6%, compared to 8-10% for larger candles. The smaller votive size means less fragrance oil is needed for sufficient aroma.
– Consider flashpoints – Some essential oils have lower flashpoints and can catch fire if the wax pool becomes too hot in a small votive. It’s safest to avoid these oils.
– Allow time to cure – Let votive candles cure for 1-2 weeks to allow the fragrance to fully bind to the wax before lighting.
Testing is key for getting the right scent throw. Evaluate the aroma when the wax is melted to ensure it’s not overpowering in the votive size.
Testing and Quality Control
Properly testing candles is crucial for ensuring quality and safety. Thorough testing allows candle makers to create products that perform well and provide customers with a good experience.
An important test is the burn test, which assesses how well the candle burns and whether it exhibits issues like tunneling. To perform a burn test, candles should be burned in a draft-free area for at least 4 hours, according to CandleScience. All details like wax type, fragrance load, and wick type should be recorded. The candle’s melt pool, wax pool diameter, and other attributes can then be evaluated.
Testing scent throw is also key. Armatage Candle Company recommends simplifying the testing area, finding optimal wicks first, and re-testing each candle multiple times to truly gauge scent throw. Assessing different fragrance loads can help achieve the ideal balance of scent.
Overall, rigorous candle testing allows manufacturers to offer excellent products and helps build consumer trust through consistent quality.
