Jessie Taylor
Candles are a great way to create a cosy atmosphere and make your home smell wonderful. You can customise your candle's scent by adding essential oils, dried flowers, or crushed herbs to the wax. The type of wax you use can also make a difference—coconut wax, for example, has a mild natural fragrance that helps to carry additional scents. When adding fragrance oils, it's important to heat the wax to the right temperature (usually 180-185°F for soy and paraffin wax) so that the oil binds to the wax and you get a stronger scent. You can experiment with different oils and wax blends to find your perfect combination.
How to add smell to a candle
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of wax | Paraffin wax, coconut wax, soy wax, beeswax |
| Type of scent | Essential oils, dried flowers, crushed herbs, cinnamon sticks, cloves, dried lavender petals, scented wax cubes, fragrance oils, natural scented ingredients |
| Temperature to add scent | 180-185°F for soy and paraffin wax, 200-205°F for palm wax |
| Amount of fragrance | 7-10% of the weight of the wax |
| Curing time | 1-4 weeks |
| Other tips | Avoid using too much fragrance, use dyes made for candles, avoid melting wax in the microwave, avoid using perfume instead of fragrance oils |
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What You'll Learn
Use essential oils
Adding essential oils to a candle is a great way to make your home smell wonderful. It's a simple process that allows you to customise your candle's scent and create a unique fragrance.
First, choose your essential oils. You can opt for a single oil or create a unique scent by combining two or more oils. For example, you could pair vanilla and rose, or lavender and pine. If you're using two oils, add around 5% of each, or adjust the ratio to your preference. You can also adjust the potency of the scent by increasing or decreasing the number of drops.
Next, prepare your wax. Weigh out the wax flakes and place them in a double boiler. Heat the wax to 180-185°F (85°C) for soy and paraffin wax, or 200-205°F for palm wax. Avoid melting the wax in a microwave, as this can cause uneven melting and scorching. Coconut wax is another great option, as its mild natural fragrance helps to lift and carry additional scents, and it holds more oil than paraffin. Beeswax also has a light natural scent that can complement other fragrances, but it doesn't hold additional fragrances as well as soy.
Once your wax has reached the correct temperature, add your essential oils. Stir the mixture for several minutes to ensure the oil doesn't settle at the bottom, which can result in a weak scent.
Now, carefully pour the scented wax into your heat-proof container. Allow the wax to cool and harden completely. This will take several minutes, and during this time, the oil will settle into the wax, enhancing the scent. Trimming the wick to 1/4 inch after 24 hours will ensure the candle burns properly.
Finally, light your candle and enjoy the fragrance. You can adjust the scent by adding more drops of essential oil if needed.
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Add dried flowers, herbs, or spices
Adding dried flowers, herbs, or spices is a great way to make your candles smell amazing while also creating a natural and decorative look. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving this:
Prepare Your Materials
First, gather your dried flowers, herbs, or spices of choice. You can use a single ingredient or create a blend by mixing different dried elements. Some popular options include dried lavender petals, rose petals, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and citrus peels. Ensure that your chosen materials are thoroughly dried to prevent any moisture from affecting the candle's burning properties.
Melt the Wax
The next step is to melt your chosen wax. Common types of wax include soy wax, coconut wax, beeswax, and paraffin wax. Each type of wax has its own natural scent, which can complement your chosen dried additives. Weigh the wax flakes and then melt them in a double boiler over high heat. Avoid using a microwave, as it can cause uneven melting and scorching.
Add the Fragrance
Once your wax has melted, it's time to add your fragrance. This is where you'll incorporate your dried flowers, herbs, or spices. Stir them directly into the melted wax. You can also add a few drops of essential oils or fragrance oils to enhance the scent. Popular choices include lavender, vanilla, peppermint, and citrus oils. Experiment with different combinations to create unique scent profiles.
Prepare the Mould and Wick
Before pouring the wax, prepare your mould by attaching a wick to the bottom of a heatproof container, such as a metal or glass jar. Ensure the wick is secured in place and centred in the container.
Pour and Set
Now, carefully pour the melted wax, along with the embedded dried flowers, herbs, or spices, into the prepared mould. Allow the wax to cool and harden completely. This process can take several hours or even days, depending on the size of your candle. Avoid putting your candle in the refrigerator to speed up the process, as this can cause cracking and weakening of the scent.
Trim the Wick
Once the wax has fully hardened, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch (0.64 cm) in length. This ensures that your candle burns properly and reduces the risk of smoke and soot.
Enjoy Your Scented Candle
Finally, your candle is ready to be lit and enjoyed! The dried flowers, herbs, or spices will release their fragrance as the wax melts, creating a natural and pleasant aroma. Experiment with different combinations of dried additives and wax types to find your favourite scent profiles.
Remember, when working with hot wax, always exercise caution and follow safety guidelines to prevent any accidents.
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Melt wax at the right temperature
When making scented candles, it is important to melt the wax at the right temperature to ensure that the fragrance oil binds to the wax and results in a stronger scent. The ideal temperature range for adding fragrance oil to soy wax is 180-185 °F (85 °C). If the wax is too hot, the fragrance oil may evaporate, resulting in a weaker scent.
To melt the wax, use a double boiler to avoid scorching it. A double boiler involves placing a pot of wax over a pot of boiling water, allowing the wax to melt gently and evenly without the risk of burning. This method ensures that the wax melts at a lower temperature than if it were placed directly over a heat source. It is important to avoid melting wax in a microwave, as it is difficult to monitor the temperature, and the wax may melt unevenly or scorch, resulting in an unappealing odour.
Once the wax has melted, stir in the fragrance oil and continue heating the mixture to 180 °F. This extra heat helps to fully evaporate any water content in the oil, allowing the pure oil to infuse the wax. It also ensures that the scent molecules permeate all the wax.
After adding the fragrance, allow the wax to cool down to the temperature recommended by the wax manufacturer before pouring it into moulds or containers. This cooling process is important, as pouring the wax too hot can create issues such as wet spots or sinkholes, and it can also weaken the scent throw.
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Choose the right type of wax
Choosing the right type of wax is crucial when making scented candles. Different types of wax have different natural scents and abilities to hold fragrances. Paraffin wax, a common candle-making base, has very little natural scent but holds fragrances well. However, it is derived from petroleum, which can release chemicals and soot when burned. Soy wax, coconut wax, and beeswax have light natural fragrances that can complement added scents. Coconut wax, in particular, helps to amplify fragrances and holds more oil than paraffin, keeping scents stronger for longer.
When choosing a wax, consider its compatibility with your desired fragrance. Some waxes, like soy wax, are known to work well with certain oils, like raspberry fragrance oil. Additionally, pay attention to the recommended temperatures for adding fragrances to specific types of wax. For example, fragrance oils are typically added to soy and paraffin wax at 180-185°F, while palm wax requires a higher temperature of 200-205°F.
The curing process also plays a role in the strength of the scent. Allowing your candles to cure for 1-4 weeks before burning helps the fragrance oils bind tightly to the wax molecules, resulting in a stronger initial scent when the candle is first lit. Experimenting with different waxes and curing times will help you determine the ideal combination for your desired fragrance.
If you're looking for convenience, scented wax cubes are a great option. These highly scented wax cubes can be placed directly into a pool of melted wax around the wick of a burning candle. The flame will melt the scented wax cube, releasing a strong fragrance into the room. However, due to their potency, you may want to cut the cubes in half before use.
Lastly, fragrance oils are typically the best choice for scented candles. While perfumes may be tempting, they are not designed to be burned and can clog the wick. Fragrance oils, on the other hand, are specifically created for candle-making and offer a wide range of scent options at most major retailers selling home décor or candle products.
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Use scented wax cubes
Scented wax cubes, also known as wax melts, tarts, or wax burners, are a convenient and safe way to fill your home with fragrance. They are an excellent alternative to candles, especially in homes with children or pets, as they do not require an open flame or wick.
Wax cubes are small, scented chunks of wax that can be melted using a wax warmer, which typically has a ceramic heater or lightbulb. The heat from the warmer melts the wax, releasing its fragrance into the room. Wax cubes are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, with soy and paraffin being the most common types. They are also long-lasting, with a single cube providing fragrance for up to 8 to 10 hours.
To use scented wax cubes, simply place one or two cubes in the dish of your wax warmer. There is no need to add water. If using an electric burner, turn it on and wait for the wax to melt and release its fragrance. Enjoy the scent, but remember not to leave the warmer on for too long—4 to 5 hours is ideal. When the fragrance fades, replace the used wax with a fresh cube.
You can also use scented wax cubes with candles. Light your candle of choice and let it burn until there is a pool of melted wax around the wick. Then, place the scented wax cube into the melted wax. The flame will help the scented wax continue to melt, emitting a strong fragrance that will fill the room.
With scented wax cubes, you can enjoy a wide range of fragrances, including vanilla, linen, cinnamon, lavender, citrus, pumpkin, and fresh flowers. You can also adjust the intensity of the scent by breaking off as much or as little of the wax cube as needed.
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Frequently asked questions
First, melt your wax and weigh it so that you know how much fragrance to add. Then, add your fragrance or essential oils when the wax reaches 180-185°F (85°C) for soy and paraffin wax or 200-205°F for palm wax. Stir the mixture for several minutes, then pour it into heat-safe containers. Allow the candles to cure for 1-4 weeks before burning to strengthen their scent.
Paraffin wax is a common candle-making base, but it does not hold fragrance as well as soy wax. Coconut wax has a mild natural fragrance that helps to lift and carry additional scents and hold more oil than paraffin. Soy wax and beeswax also have light natural scents that can complement other fragrances.
Essential oils can be purchased at most major retailers that sell home décor or candle products. You can use a single oil or create a unique scent by combining two oils. Popular essential oils include cinnamon, peppermint, citrus, lavender, pine, and vanilla.
To make your candle smell stronger, fully heat the wax to help activate and evenly distribute the scent oils. You can also add more fragrance oil, but this does not always guarantee a stronger scent.
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