How Do I Scent My Candles?

Scented candles have become incredibly popular home decor items and thoughtful gifts. The aroma from a scented candle can transform any space, evoke memories, improve moods, and create an ambiance. Scenting candles is an art that requires care and precision to get it just right. The purpose of scenting candles is to infuse wax with fragrant essential oils or synthetic fragrances so that the aroma is released when the candle is burned, filling the surrounding area with a pleasant smell. With the right techniques, you can create custom scented candles with your favorite fragrances.

Choosing Your Candle Wax

When making candles, it’s important to choose the right type of wax for your needs. There are a few main options for candle wax:

Paraffin Wax – This is the most commonly used candle wax. It is derived from petroleum and is relatively inexpensive. Paraffin wax has a high melting point which allows it to hold its shape as the candle burns. It can be brittle though, which may cause the candle to crack or shatter if dropped. Paraffin does not hold fragrance oils as well as some other waxes.

Soy Wax – Made from hydrogenated soybean oil, this wax is gaining popularity as a natural alternative to paraffin. It is soft and less brittle, so soy candles are less prone to cracking or frosting. Soy wax melts at a lower temperature and holds fragrance oils better than paraffin. However, it can be more challenging to work with due to a lower melting point.

Beeswax – This natural wax is secreted by honey bees. It has a pleasant honey aroma. Beeswax candles burn longer and cleaner than paraffin or soy. The wax is difficult to melt and beeswax candles take longer to cure. Beeswax is also more expensive than other candle waxes.

There are also wax blends combining ingredients like paraffin, soy, coconut, and palm waxes. Blends allow formulating a wax with specific properties. Experiment to find your preferred candle wax for scent, melting point, cost, and performance.

Selecting Your Fragrance Oil

When making candles, you’ll need to select a fragrance oil to scent them. Fragrance oils differ from essential oils in that they are synthetically created in labs to mimic natural scents. The main advantage of fragrance oils is that they tend to be stronger smelling and longer lasting in candles compared to essential oils.

Here are some important considerations when selecting a fragrance oil for your candles:

– Make sure the fragrance oil is designed for candle making. Candle fragrances are formulated to mix well with wax and release scent when heated.

– Consider the candle’s intended use. For example, opt for lighter, fresh scents like citrus or floral for daytime or uplifting candles. Reserve heavier musky or spicy scents for nighttime candles.

– Make sure the fragrance oil’s flashpoint is at least 170°F to avoid potential fire hazards.

– Test the fragrance oil first to make sure you like the scent once blended with the wax. Smell can change once heated.

– Avoid fragrance oils that discolor wax unless you want colored candles. Opt for dye-free fragrances.

– Research that the fragrance oil has good scent retention and projection in candles.

– Consider mixing a primary fragrance with complementing secondary fragrances for a unique scent.

– Choose the intensity you desire – some fragrances are naturally stronger than others.

– Select fragrances that pair well with your chosen wax and wick types.

Fragrance Load Recommendations

The amount of fragrance oil you use in your candles, known as the “fragrance load”, can affect the quality and performance of your candles. Here are some general guidelines for fragrance load percentages based on different wax types:

Paraffin Wax: Use a fragrance load of 8-10%. Paraffin wax can hold a higher amount of fragrance than other waxes before “seizing up”. Too much fragrance may lead to issues like weeping or frosting.

Soy Wax: Use a fragrance load of 6-8%. Soy wax is more sensitive and can only hold about half as much fragrance oil as paraffin before becoming oversaturated.

Beeswax: Use a fragrance load of 3-6%. Beeswax has a delicate honey aroma on its own and generally requires less added fragrance than other waxes.

Palm Wax: Use a fragrance load of 7-12%. Palm wax, like paraffin, can handle a higher fragrance concentration without issues.

Coconut Wax: Use a fragrance load of 5-7%. Coconut wax can hold less fragrance than paraffin or palm wax.

Testing different fragrance load percentages with your wax type will help you find the ideal amount for strong scent throw without adverse effects.

Adding Fragrance Oil

When adding fragrance oil to your candle wax, follow these steps:

Calculate the Amount of Fragrance Oil

Refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations for fragrance load percentages based on your wax type. Measure out the correct amount of fragrance oil according to the volume of wax you are using.

Add the Fragrance Oil to the Wax

Once the wax has fully melted, remove it from the heat source. Carefully pour the measured fragrance oil into the melted wax. Add the oil slowly and stir constantly to fully incorporate it.

Stir Thoroughly

Continue stirring for 2-3 minutes once you’ve added all the fragrance oil. This helps bind the scent evenly throughout the wax.

Take Safety Precautions

– Work in a well-ventilated area since fragrance oils contain volatile compounds.

– Wear gloves and avoid touching fragrance oils directly with bare skin.

– Measure oils carefully and cap bottles immediately since spills increase scent exposure.

– Avoid open flames when working with fragrance oils.

Following basic safety steps will allow you to work with fragrance oils while minimizing risks.

Stirring the Wax

Properly mixing the fragrance oil into the melted candle wax is a crucial step in scenting candles. You want to ensure the fragrance oil is thoroughly incorporated for an even scent throw in each candle. Here are some techniques for efficiently stirring the wax:

Use a long handled stainless steel spoon to reach the bottom of your wax melting pot and stir in circular motions. Stir continuously for 2-3 minutes to fully blend the fragrance throughout the wax. Make sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the pot so no unmixed wax remains.

For larger batches, use a drill with a stainless steel paint mixing attachment. This will quickly whip and blend the wax and fragrance together. Mix on medium speed for approximately 5 minutes.

Wax and fragrance oil will naturally try to separate, so give the mixture one final stir right before pouring into candle jars or molds. This helps ensure each candle gets an equal fragrance distribution.

Take care not to stir so vigorously that air bubbles get whipped into the wax. This can lead to an uneven burn and wick issues in your finished candles. Gentle folding motion works better than high speed mixing.

Testing Your Scent

Once you’ve added the fragrance oil to the wax, it’s important to test the scent throw to make sure it’s strong enough. Here are some tips for testing the scent:

Take an unlit candle and smell it from a few inches away. You should be able to clearly smell the scent. If you can’t, the fragrance load needs to be increased.

Light the candle and let it burn for a few minutes. Blow it out and smell the melted wax pool. You should still be able to smell the fragrance strongly.

Move a foot or two away from the candle and see if you can still detect the scent in the air. The scent throw should fill the room. If it’s not strong enough, add more fragrance oil.

Let the candle burn for at least an hour, then blow it out. The scent should linger in the room for a while after extinguishing the flame.

If the scent fades quickly or isn’t detectable from a couple feet away, the fragrance load needs to be increased. Add 0.5-1% more fragrance oil and test again until the desired scent throw is achieved.

Having the right fragrance load is crucial for both scent satisfaction and burn performance. Don’t be afraid to tweak and re-test until your candle has the perfect scent throw.

Pouring Your Candles

After scenting your candle wax, the next step is to carefully pour the wax into your candle container or mold. Here are some tips for pouring scented candle wax:

• Make sure your candle containers are clean and free of moisture. Wipe jars clean with rubbing alcohol to remove any residues.
• Place wick stickers or glue dots in the bottom of your containers and thread wicks through the holes if using a container candle.
• Make sure your wax is fully melted and at the correct pouring temperature. Different waxes like soy, palm, or paraffin require specific pouring temps.
• Carefully pour the wax into the container, leaving some headspace at the top for the final burn pool.
• Gently pour to prevent air bubbles from forming on the sides and bottom surface.
• Allow the candle to cool undisturbed as the wax sets up. This helps prevent sinkholes on the top surface.
• Once cooled and set, you can straighten wicks and trim them to size.

Proper pouring is important for achieving even wax distribution, reducing bubbles, and creating a smooth candle surface. Work carefully when transferring scented wax into containers to get the best looking finished candles.

Curing the Candles

After pouring your candles into containers, it’s crucial to allow them to cure properly before burning. Curing refers to allowing the candles to sit undisturbed as the wax finishes solidifying and the fragrance oil fully permeates the wax. This process can take 1-2 weeks.

During the curing process, the wax and fragrance oil undergo molecular changes as residual heat dissipates. This allows the fragrance to stabilize within the wax and helps prevent issues like sinkholes, frosting, and poor scent throw when burned. Rushing to burn an uncured candle often results in tunneling, where the flame melts through the center leaving the outer wax unchanged.

Set poured candles in a room temperature area free from drafts during curing. The wax needs to cool and harden completely all the way through. Resist the urge to test burn them right away. Once curing is complete, the candles are ready to enjoy!

Safety Tips

When working with fragrance oils to scent candles, there are some important safety considerations to keep in mind.

Many fragrance oils contain chemicals that can irritate your skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Be sure to wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated area when handling fragrance oils.

Avoid contact between fragrance oils and your skin/eyes. If contact occurs, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. Seek medical attention if irritation persists.

Never ingest fragrance oils, as they can be toxic if swallowed. Always keep fragrance oils out of reach of children and pets.

When diluting fragrance oils, add the oil to the wax slowly and stir continually to avoid hot spots that can cause irritation or burning.

Store fragrance oils in glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Keep away from heat, flames, and sources of ignition as fragrance oils are flammable.

Refer to the safety data sheet for each fragrance oil you use to identify specific hazards and precautions.

With proper safety practices, you can enjoy scenting candles as a fun and safe hobby!