Can I Spray Perfume On My Candle?

Adding scent is one of the most enjoyable parts of candle making. The right fragrance can elevate a candle from being simply functional to an immersive sensory experience. Many people already have a favorite perfume they want to use to scent their homemade candles. Spraying perfume directly onto a candle may seem like an easy way to impart your preferred fragrance.

This is a common question among new candle makers. The temptation is understandable – you want your candle to smell like your signature scent. However, there are important safety and performance considerations involved when adding perfume oils not specifically designed for candle making.

The Purpose of Candle Scents

The primary purpose of scented candles is to fill the air with a pleasant fragrance when burning. Candles are infused with specific scents like lavender, vanilla, or sandalwood during the manufacturing process so that they release those aromas into the air once lit (Dorothy Scents, 2022). The scent compounds are carefully blended into the wax or oils of the candle to produce the desired fragrance. Spraying additional perfumes or scents onto the surface of the candle may alter or distort its intended aroma. According to Dorothy Scents, specific scented candles boost the happy hormones serotonin and dopamine when burned. The compositions are formulated to have particular effects.

Perfume Can Alter the Candle’s Composition

Adding perfume to candle wax can alter the wax’s chemical composition and cause problems with burning. Unlike fragrance oils designed for candle making, perfumes contain alcohol which can potentially dissolve the wax over time (https://lonestarcandlesupply.com/dos-and-donts-of-candle-making/). The alcohol and ingredients in perfume are not formulated to properly bind with wax. This means the perfume may seep to the bottom of the candle or evaporate quickly, rather than releasing aroma consistently.

Perfumes also have a much higher oil content compared to candle fragrances. The oils can clog the wick as the candle burns, disrupting the capillary action that draws liquefied wax up the wick. This uneven burning makes tunnels and sooty residue more likely. The wick may even stop burning altogether if too much oil accumulates from the perfume.

Safety Hazards of Adding Perfume

Adding perfume to candles carries some risks that you should consider before doing so. The two main safety hazards are unpredictable scent combinations and increased fire risks.

When you add perfume to a scented candle, the perfume mixes with the existing fragrance oils in the candle wax. This can create a scent combination that is difficult to predict or control. The intended perfume aroma may mix with the candle fragrance in unpleasant or overpowering ways. It’s best to stick to tested and balanced candle fragrance oils rather than experimenting with perfumes.

Perfumes often contain a high percentage of alcohol. Adding alcohol-based perfume to candle wax can cause issues with clogged wicks which lead to increased fire risks. As the perfume evaporates from the hot candle wax, it can leave behind residue that clogs the wick and prevents it from burning properly. A clogged wick causes increased smoke, poor scent throw, tunneling, and flickering flames. In severe cases, the clogged wick can lead to unburned fuel pooling inside the candle jar and increasing the chances of dangerous flare-ups or glass breakage. For safety reasons, it’s best not to add perfumes containing alcohol to candles.

Some helpful sources on perfume’s fire risks in candles:

https://suffolkcandles.co.uk/blogs/candles/can-you-use-perfume-oil-in-candles

Can you use perfume fragrances for candles?
byu/Patladjan1738 incandlemaking

Recommended Alternatives

There are several safer and effective alternatives to spraying perfume directly on candles. These options allow you to enjoy fragrance without compromising the integrity of the candle or creating potential hazards.

One of the easiest alternatives is to use candles that already have wonderful scents. Look for soy, vegetable, or beeswax candles made with premium essential oils rather than synthetic fragrances. When you light a scented candle, it will fill the room with its intended aroma.

Essential oil diffusers are another excellent candle alternative for fragrance. Diffusers distribute essential oils into the air to scent your space. They don’t require an open flame, making them safer than candles around kids and pets.

For a fragrant DIY option, try simmering potpourri on the stove. Add your favorite dried flowers, herbs, spices, citrus peels, and essential oils to a pot of water and allow to gently simmer. The evaporating water will diffuse the mixture’s aromas.

Scented sprays, reed diffusers, fragrance sachets, and warming decorative wax melts are other ways to scent your home without needing to add perfumes to candles.

Tips for Enhancing Candle Scents

If you want to boost the fragrance of a candle without adding perfume, there are some simple tricks to try. One tip is to store the candle with open spices or flowers. The ambient aromas from ingredients like cinnamon sticks, rose petals, or vanilla beans can help infuse more scent into the candle wax (source). You can place the materials in a small open container near the candle. Over time, this can enhance the candle’s intended fragrance.

Using a fragrance warmer or candle warmer can also help strengthen a candle’s scent. The gentle heat from the warmer helps disperse the fragrance more effectively throughout the room. Simply place the unlit candle on the warmer for best results.

Opting for candles with wood wicks can provide a subtle boost as well. As the wick burns, it crackles and emits a light natural aroma that complements many candle scents. The wood smell adds an extra layer that makes the overall fragrance more prominent (source). With these simple tips, you can enhance a candle’s existing scent without the need to add perfumes or oils.

When It’s Okay to Add Perfume

While it’s generally not recommended to add perfume to candles, there are some times when it can be done safely and effectively. The key is using caution and following these guidelines:

– Only add perfume to unscented candles – candles that already contain fragrance oils or essential oils can interact badly with perfumes. An unscented candle is a blank slate.

– Lightly mist the unlit candle from a distance of 6-12 inches. Do not saturate the candle or allow liquid perfume to pool anywhere on the surface. A light misting is sufficient to provide scent.

– Always test on a small sample or test candle first. Apply a light perfume mist and allow to fully cure for 24 hours before lighting the test candle. This allows you to check that the perfume does not alter burn performance.

Following these precautions, adding a light mist of perfume to an unscented candle can allow you to create a customized, homemade scent. However, directly pouring perfume into candles or heavily saturating the wax is not recommended. When in doubt, opt for safe, pre-formulated candle fragrances instead of perfumes.

Signs Your Candle Needs No Scent Boost

If your candle already has a strong fragrance and burns cleanly and fully, adding more perfume could create an overpowering scent. Here are two signs your candle doesn’t need any extra fragrance:

Strong existing fragrance: Soy candles hold between 6-11% fragrance, with higher percentages near the upper limit for strong scents like cinnamon. If your candle already has ample fragrance for the space, adding perfume could make it cloying. Test the candle’s throw before scenting.

Burns cleanly and fully: Properly made candles should burn from edge to edge without leaving residue. If your candle burns cleanly, the wax fully melts, and the scented oil is released efficiently, this indicates no issues with fragrance binding. Adding perfume could upset the balance and cause sooting or poor scent throw. Clean burning shows the wax and oil are blended optimally.

Proper Candle Care

Properly caring for your candles is important to ensure they burn evenly, minimize mess, and maximize longevity. Here are some key tips for proper candle care:

Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before lighting. As the National Candle Association recommends, “trim your candle’s wick to 1⁄4 inch before lighting.” This helps the candle burn slowly and evenly.

Burn candles for 1-2 hours at a time. The National Candle Association advises burning candles no more than 4 hours at a time. Limiting burn times to 1-2 hours helps prevent tunneling and allows the wax pool to completely liquefy.

Allow the candle to cool completely before relighting. According to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, you should “allow the candle to cool completely between burns.” Waiting until the wax hardens again provides a clean, even burn.

With proper care, you can enjoy your favorite scented candles for longer! Let the candle fully pool and harden between burns, keep the wick trimmed, and avoid burn times over 2 hours.

Conclusion

In summary, adding perfume directly to candles is not recommended as it can alter the candle’s burning properties and pose safety hazards. The perfume’s alcohol content makes the wax more flammable and the oils can clog the wick, leading to tunneling, poor scent throw, or even fire. There are many safer, more effective options for enhancing a candle’s fragrance like using essential oils, fragrance oils, candle dye chips, or scent packs.

While an old candle might warrant a light perfume spritz to rejuvenate it, restraint is key. Be sure to never over-scent a candle. Properly caring for candles by trimming wicks, allowing full melts, and avoiding drafts will also help them retain their intended aromas. With a range of scent-boosting techniques available, you can give your candles an extra fragrance boost without compromising their performance or your safety.