When Should I Add Scent To Wax?

Adding fragrance oil to candle wax is an important part of the candle making process. The fragrance oil provides the candle’s scent and is a key factor in the overall aroma and burning experience. Selecting the right fragrance load and adding it at the proper wax temperature is crucial to achieve an evenly scented candle that throws scent well. This article provides an overview of best practices for adding fragrance oil to wax when candle making, covering topics like fragrance load, wax temperature, testing, curing, and troubleshooting.

Choosing Fragrance Oils

When choosing a fragrance oil for candle making, you have two main options – pure essential oils or synthetic fragrance oils. Pure essential oils are extracted directly from plants, fruits, resins, and other natural materials. While they provide an authentic, natural scent, essential oils can be quite expensive and some like citrus oils don’t hold up well to high heat. Synthetic fragrance oils are artificially created in a lab to mimic natural scents. They tend to be more affordable and reliable in candles, with scents that throw well and hold up to burning. According to candle supply sites like Brambleberry and Bulk Apothecary, synthetic fragrance oils are recommended for beginners since they are easier to work with.https://www.brambleberry.com/shop-by-craft/candles/fragrance-oils

When selecting a fragrance oil, make sure to choose options intended for candle making. Avoid fragrance oils meant for soap, lotions or perfumes. Candle fragrance oils are formulated to mix well with wax and release scent when heated. Look for candle oil scents you enjoy – whether fruity, floral, fresh, gourmand or exotic. Testing oils in small amounts first can help find the perfect scents.

Fragrance Load

The fragrance load refers to the percentage of fragrance oil added to the melted wax when making candles. The recommended fragrance load depends on factors like wax type, candle vessel size, and personal preference for fragrance strength.

For soy wax candles, the typical fragrance load is 6-8% of the wax weight, or about 1 oz of fragrance per pound of wax. Some candle makers recommend going up to 10% for soy wax, especially for smaller candles, but too much fragrance can lead to issues like fragrance throw-off or sweating. A good starting point is 6% fragrance load for 4-6 oz soy candles. Always test different fragrance percentages to find the ideal amount.

According to Candle Science, “A common amount to use is 6% or 1oz per pound of wax. This can be adjusted up or down depending on the type of wax you’re using and personal preference.” https://support.candlescience.com/hc/en-us/articles/201352174-How-much-fragrance-oil-should-I-add-to-melted-wax

Additives

Additives can be added to wax to enhance certain properties like fragrance retention, color stability, opacity, and melting point. Some common additives used are:

• Anchors or stabilizers – These help “anchor” the fragrance oil to the wax so less fragrance evaporates when the candle burns. Some examples are Vybar 103 and ScentSational.
• UV inhibitors – Additives like UV-15 help protect candle colors from fading when exposed to light.
• Opacifiers – To make transparent waxes more opaque, additives like titanium dioxide can be used.

The amount of additive depends on the type of wax and desired effect. Follow manufacturer recommended usage rates. Too much additive can negatively impact burn and scent throw. When adding to wax, mix thoroughly to disperse evenly.

Wax Type

The type of wax you use can impact how well it holds fragrance oils. The most common candle wax types are paraffin, soy, and beeswax. Paraffin wax is thought to be the best at holding fragrance oils because it has a high oil capacity. As noted by Candle Salon, “Currently, paraffin waxes are thought to be the best for producing a powerful aroma, which is why they’re so widely used by major candle brands” https://www.candlesalon.com/post/which-candle-wax-gives-the-best-scent-throw. Martha Stewart also states that “Paraffin wax—a very inexpensive wax—is most widely used across candle brands, says Fitchl, because it can hold a high amount of fragrance.” https://www.marthastewart.com/8061950/candle-wax-type-guide.

Soy wax doesn’t hold fragrance as well as paraffin, but it’s still a good option. Beeswax has the lowest fragrance capacity, so more fragrance oil needs to be added to achieve a strong scent.

Testing

Testing is crucial for ensuring your candles have optimal fragrance strength and performance. Before committing to mass production, you’ll want to test your candle formulas extensively. Some key points on testing:

Test candles in small batches first, such as in containers ranging from 4-16 ounces. This allows you to fine tune the fragrance load before scaling up.

Make sure to record details like wax and wick type, fragrance load percentage, burn time, hot and cold scent throw, and more. Keep detailed notes so you can compare between tests.

Let candles cure for 1-2 weeks after pouring before testing. This allows the fragrance to fully blend with the wax.

Test candles in a closed room to evaluate scent throw. The intensity will be lower in open spaces.

Test multiple wick sizes to find the ideal one for your fragrance and wax blend. The wrong wick can negatively impact scent throw.

Be patient and persistent. It often takes many rounds of testing before finding the perfect balance for each candle.

Refer to testing best practices from reputable candle suppliers like Bramble Berry and Armatage Candle Co.

Curing

Curing is a crucial step that allows time for the fragrance oil to stabilize within the wax. During the candle making process, the fragrance oil can evaporate somewhat when the wax is heated. Curing gives the fragrance oil time to re-absorb back into the wax fully. This helps prevent issues like fragrance “burn off” where the scent fades or disappears when the candle is burned.

For soy wax candles, the general rule of thumb is to allow 1-2 weeks for curing, with closer to 2 weeks being ideal. According to experts like Armatage Candle Company, soy wax candles should cure about 2 weeks before burning to allow the fragrance to fully stabilize.

The curing time allows the fragrance oil and wax time to undergo the molecular bonding process. This helps the fragrance throw of the candle perform at its peak. Rushing the curing process can cause the scent to not reach its full potential.

Storing Candles

Proper storage is crucial for maintaining a candle’s scent over time. There are a few key things to keep in mind when storing candles:

First, store candles with tight-fitting lids or covered with a cloche or glass dome. This seals in the fragrance and prevents it from dissipating into the air (source). Plastic wrap can also work as a sealant if the candle doesn’t have a lid.

Next, keep candles out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources like stovetops or HVAC vents, as heat can degrade the scent molecules over time. A cool, dark place like a cupboard or drawer is ideal.

It’s also important to store candles upright rather than on their side. This prevents the wax pool from becoming distorted or flattened on one side (source).

For decorative jar candles, store the jar inside a plastic bag to protect from scratches or damage. However, avoid placing the plastic bag directly on the candle, as this could trap moisture against the wax (source).

With proper enclosed storage away from light, heat, and moisture, candles can retain their original untouched fragrance for months or even years before burning.

Burn Time

The burn time of a candle refers to how long a candle will burn before all the wax is melted. Burn time depends on a few key factors that affect how quickly wax melts and fragrance is released.

Wick size is one major factor in burn time. Larger wicks burn hotter and faster, while smaller wicks extend burn time by burning cooler. According to Purcell and Woodcock, burning a candle for over 4 hours can overheat the wax and diminish scent throw. To extend candle life, trim wicks as needed and avoid burning for more than 4 hours at a time.

Wax type and additives also impact burn time. Harder waxes like soy and paraffin burn slower than softer waxes. Adding fragrance oil decreases burn time slightly. But going above the recommended fragrance load significantly accelerates melting and can reduce scent throw over time according to Harlem Candle Company.

Properly curing candles before burning allows an even melt pool to form and maximizes scent diffusion and burn time. Always burn candles in a draft-free area and keep wicks trimmed to 1⁄4” to prevent uneven burning and maximize fragrance throw.

Troubleshooting

If you notice your candle has an inconsistent or weak scent, there are a few things you can try to strengthen the fragrance:

Warm the candle before lighting – Let the candle come to room temperature before burning, as this helps activate the fragrance oils. You can speed this up by placing the candle in a warm spot for 1-2 hours.

Trim the wick – Make sure to keep the wick trimmed to 1⁄4 inch before lighting. Too long of a wick can burn too hot, which causes the fragrance to burn off quickly.

Add more fragrance – If the candle continues having little to no scent, you can try adding a few more drops of fragrance oil directly into the melted wax pool while burning. Let it mix in for a few minutes before relighting.

Avoid overheating – Don’t let the candle burn for more than 4 hours at a time, as too much heat can cause the fragrance to evaporate. Make sure to extinguish the flame if the wax pool reaches the edges.

Store properly – Keep the candle away from direct sunlight and heat when not in use, as warmth can cause the scent to dissipate faster. Place an airtight lid on the candle between burns.

According to experts, if fragrance issues persist after trying these troubleshooting tips, the candle likely wasn’t formulated properly with enough fragrance oil. You may need to start over with a new candle using a higher fragrance load percentage (cite: https://hotellobbycandle.com/blogs/candle-tips/do-candles-lose-their-scent).