What Is The Scent Ratio For Candlescience Wax?
A scent ratio refers to the amount of fragrance oil added to candle wax. Finding the optimal ratio is important for achieving the desired scent throw and performance. CandleScience offers a variety of waxes including soy, coconut, palm, and beeswax, each with their own recommended scent ratios.
This article will provide an overview of CandleScience’s wax offerings, explain how to calculate and adjust scent ratios, and offer tips for adding fragrance oils safely. The goal is to help candle makers understand scent ratios and customize them for their specific wax blend and fragrance oils.
What is a Scent Ratio?
A scent ratio refers to the percentage of fragrance oil used in candle wax. It determines how strong the scent will be when the candle is burning (Woodspriteorganicbody.com). For example, a common scent ratio is 5-10%, which means 5-10% of the wax weight is made up of fragrance oil. The higher the scent ratio, the stronger the candle scent during burning.
The scent ratio is very important for candle making. If too little fragrance is used, the candle will have a weak scent throw that does not properly fill a room when lit. If too much fragrance is used, it can lead to issues like fragrance burn-off, sooting, and poor wax adhesion (Thecandleenthusiast.wordpress.com). An optimal scent ratio allows the fragrance to fully disperse without complications during burning.
Candle wax type also impacts ideal scent ratios. Paraffin wax usually allows fragrance ratios around 10% since it has excellent fragrance retention. Soy and vegetable waxes often require higher ratios near 12% because the wax absorbs more scent. Finding the right balance is key for candle performance and scent throw.
CandleScience’s Wax Offerings
CandleScience offers a wide variety of different wax types to meet the needs of any candle maker. Their waxes are expertly formulated for excellent performance across different applications. Here’s an overview of CandleScience’s main wax offerings:
Paraffin Wax – Paraffin wax is the most commonly used candle making wax. It’s inexpensive, easy to work with, and provides excellent scent throw. CandleScience offers paraffin wax in container wax, pillar wax, and votive wax varieties.
Soy Wax – For candle makers looking for a natural wax, CandleScience offers both natural and blended soy wax options. Their natural soy wax is 100% soy with no additives. Their blended soy offers the performance benefits of additives while maintaining a high soy content.
Beeswax – Beeswax is a premium natural wax made by honey bees. CandleScience offers both pure beeswax and blended beeswax options. Beeswax candles have a beautiful natural honey aroma.
Gel Wax – Candle gel wax allows for unique visual designs not possible with other waxes. CandleScience offers both crystal clear and opaque colored gel wax varieties.
Coconut Wax – Coconut wax makes excellent container candles. It has excellent scent throw and a smooth wax pool. CandleScience offers 76 and 83 melt point coconut waxes.
This overview covers CandleScience’s main wax categories. They offer many different options within each category to suit any candle making need or preference.
Recommended Scent Ratios
CandleScience recommends specific scent ratios for each of their wax types to ensure optimal fragrance throw and performance. According to their support article, here, the recommended ratios are:
- Paraffin Wax: 10% fragrance oil
- Soy Wax: 6-8% fragrance oil
- Beeswax: 3-5% fragrance oil
- Palm Wax: 12% fragrance oil
- Gel Wax: 15% fragrance oil
Following these guidelines for each wax type will help achieve the proper hot and cold scent throw. Adding too much fragrance can negatively impact performance, while adding too little may result in a candle with weak scent.
How to Calculate Scent Ratios
The scent ratio for candle making refers to the percentage of fragrance oil used relative to the weight of the wax. It’s important to calculate scent ratios properly based on wax weight, not the total candle weight. Here’s how to determine the right scent ratio:
First, weigh the amount of wax you will use. For example, let’s say you will use 300g of wax.
Next, decide on your target scent ratio as a percentage. Fragrance oil manufacturers often recommend ratios between 5-10%. Let’s use 10% as an example.
To calculate 10% of 300g, multiply the wax weight by the scent ratio percentage. In this case, 300g wax x 0.10 = 30g fragrance oil.
So for a 300g candle at a 10% scent ratio, you would use 30g of fragrance oil. The general formula is:
Wax weight x Scent ratio % = Fragrance oil weight
Always weigh your wax first, then use the scent ratio percentage to determine the right amount of fragrance to add. This ensures proper scenting without getting too strong or weak of a fragrance. Testing different ratios is key to find your ideal candle scent.
Tips for Adding Fragrance
When adding fragrance to candle wax, it’s important to follow best practices to ensure proper scenting and candle performance. Here are some key tips:
Stir the wax before adding fragrance. This helps disperse the fragrance evenly when mixed in. Allow wax to cool to the manufacturer’s recommended temperature before adding fragrance. Adding fragrance at too high of a temperature can cause the scent to burn off or fade (Source: https://lonestarcandlesupply.com/dos-and-donts-of-candle-making/).
Add the recommended usage rate of fragrance oil. Using too little can lead to poor scent throw, while too much can cause issues like soot production. Start with the manufacturer’s guidelines and adjust based on testing (Source: https://www.candlemakingsupplies.net/when-should-you-add-fragrance-oil-to-your-candle).
Mix the fragrance oil thoroughly to fully incorporate it. Continue mixing for 2-3 minutes once added. This helps bind the scent evenly within the wax for maximum hot and cold throw.
Allow the finished candle to cure fully before evaluating scent strength. The curing process allows the fragrance to fully set up within the wax.
Testing and Adjusting
Testing your candle’s scent strength and adjusting the fragrance ratio is an important part of the candle making process. Here are some tips for testing and adjusting your candle’s scent ratio:
To test scent strength, let your candle cure for at least 24 hours after pouring to allow the fragrance to fully bind with the wax. After curing, light the candle and take note of the scent throw. Move around your candle at varying distances to smell the scent up close and from farther away.
If the scent is too strong, the ratio needs to be decreased. If it’s too weak, the ratio needs to be increased. Aim for an ideal balance where the scent is detectable when up close but not overpowering.
For adjusting the ratios, make small incremental changes of around .5-1% to avoid overcorrecting. Keep detailed notes on your test candles and adjustments. Allow each new test candle to fully cure before evaluating scent strength.
Test the cold scent by smelling the unlit candle. The cold scent should be subtle. Evaluate scent during the full burn by extinguishing the candle, letting the melted wax re-harden, then lighting again to test scent throw over the entire burn.
Take your time testing and take detailed notes. Adjusting scent ratios properly takes trial and error, so be patient. With enough testing, you’ll dial in the ideal scent ratio for your candle.
Scent Ratio Troubleshooting
If you run into issues with scent ratios, here are some common problems and solutions:
Not Enough Fragrance
If your candle isn’t smelling strongly enough, the most likely culprit is that you didn’t use a high enough scent ratio. For lighter scents like clean cotton or ocean breezes, you typically need a higher ratio of around 10%. For stronger scents like vanilla or sandalwood, a lower ratio of 6% may suffice.
Test adding more fragrance oil, in 0.5% increments, until you reach the desired scent strength. Just don’t go over 12% total, as too much oil can cause issues.
Wick Issues
An improper wick type or size can impact how well fragrance disperses when the candle is burned. If scent throw is weak, try going up one size on the wick to allow for a larger melt pool.
Conversely, “mushrooming” or sooting wicks prevent good fragrance diffusion. Trim your wicks to 1⁄4″ before each burn to maintain a proper melt pool.
Scent Fading
Some light, volatile scent compounds can fade over time as the candle sits on the shelf. For maximum stability, use an anchoring base note like vanilla or sandalwood to hold the scent.
Storing candles in a cool, dark place will also help prevent the evaporation of top notes before burning.
Scent Morphing
Blending certain fragrances can cause the scents to change or “morph” over time. This is due to chemical interactions between the oils.
Scent pairing guides can provide guidance on complementary vs. incompatible blends. But you may need to simply test how different oils interact.
Safety Considerations
When working with fragrance oils, it’s important to keep some safety precautions in mind. According to CandleScience, fragrance oils are safe when used properly, but there are still some risks to be aware of.
One concern is skin irritation or allergic reactions. Some people may be sensitive to certain fragrance ingredients, so it’s a good idea to do a small skin test before using a new fragrance oil. Avoid getting oils on your skin by wearing gloves.
It’s also important to be in a well-ventilated area when working with fragrance oils, as inhaling the vapors directly can cause headaches, dizziness or nausea. Don’t breathe in the vapors intentionally.
Always keep fragrance oils out of reach of children and pets. Ingesting fragrance oil can be toxic. And as with any chemical, avoid contact with eyes.
When making candles, follow the recommended scent ratios carefully, as too much fragrance can make the candles unsafe to burn. Testing your candles before selling or gifting is crucial.
While fragrance oils are formulated to be safe at recommended dilutions, taking proper precautions will help avoid potential sensitivities or reactions.
Conclusion
In summary, CandleScience recommends a scent ratio of 10% for their soy wax, 6-8% for paraffin wax, and up to 12% for coconut wax. However, scent ratios should be tested and adjusted based on your individual preferences. When adding fragrance oil, make sure to pour at a low temperature, mix thoroughly, and conduct burn tests on each new candle batch. Adhering to proper scent ratio guidelines will result in optimized fragrance throw without issues like wet spots or scent fading. As a final thought, always follow safety precautions like wearing gloves and working in a well-ventilated area. With some care and experimentation, you can create beautifully scented, long-lasting candles using CandleScience’s quality waxes and oils.
