
Candles are a great way to cover up strange or unpleasant odours and can help make your home smell clean and pleasant. While some candles merely mask odours, others are specifically designed to eliminate odours with certain additives that release odour-neutralizing enzymes. Strong fragrances, such as citrus, bergamot, clove, eucalyptus, and vanilla, are particularly effective at masking or eliminating strong odours.
Characteristics of candles that mask strong odors
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scent | Bergamot, lemon, eucalyptus, pine, clove, rose, lavender, sandalwood, vanilla, cinnamon apple pie, fresh linen, vetiver |
| Type of wax | Soy, paraffin, FDA food-grade |
| Wick | Lead-free, cotton |
| Burn time | 60-100 hours |
| Odor elimination | Neutralizes odors, releases odor-neutralizing enzymes, contains additives |
| Other features | 3-wick design, scented plug-ins, odor-eliminating technology |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Citrus scents, like lemon, bergamot, and orange
Citrus scents, such as lemon, bergamot, and orange, are known for their ability to mask strong odors. The scent of citrus is often described as bright, uplifting, and refreshing. It evokes a sense of cleanliness and positivity, making it perfect for covering up unpleasant smells.
Lemons (Citrus limon) are a popular choice for odor-masking due to their clean, sparkling, citrus scent. The acidity of lemon juice, with a pH between 2 and 3, is key to its effectiveness in neutralizing strong odors. Lemon-scented candles can quickly transform a room, leaving it smelling clean and pleasant.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) is another powerful option for masking strong odors. Bergamot orange is a hybrid between a lemon and bitter orange, primarily cultivated in southern Italy. Its unique fragrance combines citric and floral notes, offering the best of both worlds. The popularity of bergamot in the fragrance industry is attributed to its versatility and fresh aroma, which comes from the chemical compound linalool. A bergamot-scented candle can provide a relaxing and serene experience while effectively covering lingering odors.
Oranges also fall under the citrus scent family and are known for their juicy, refreshing, and tangy notes. Whether it's the sweetness of mandarin oranges or the bitterness of neroli, derived from bitter oranges, orange scents can uplift the senses and create a vibrant atmosphere. Combining orange scents with other fragrances, such as cedarwood or sandalwood, can further enhance their odor-masking capabilities.
Citrus scents, including lemon, bergamot, and orange, offer an invigorating and energizing experience while effectively masking strong odors. Their versatility and refreshing nature make them a popular choice for candles, providing a clean and pleasant aroma to any space.
Candles' Environmental Impact: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Floral scents, like rose
Floral scents, such as rose, are known to be relaxing and are often associated with freshness and renewal. Roses, in particular, are described as having a magical aroma that instils a sense of calm and raises spirits.
The Kishmish Gulab Candle is a favourite among staff writers at the New York Times, who describe how it evokes dipping your nose into a fresh bouquet. Another favourite is the Diptyque Roses Classic Candle, which has a delicate floral smell that powerfully fills a room. It is strong and floral, but not cloying—a difficult balance to strike with rose scents, which can often smell like old-lady perfume. The Otherland Daybed Candle is another rose-scented candle with a strong floral presence, but this one is nuanced by the addition of peony and pear water.
If you are looking for a more affordable option, the P.F. Candle Co. Ojai Lavender Candle has top notes of bergamot, eucalyptus, and orange, followed by a floral middle of rose, lily, and lavender, and base notes of mint and red cedar. At $36 a jar, it is a favourite of junior Strategist writer Bella Druckman, who says it banishes the smells of neighbouring apartments.
Floral scents can also be combined with fragrances from other scent families to create a unique olfactory experience. For example, the white sensual flower of jasmine is often combined with juicy fruits or crispy citrus notes, creating a more youthful and unisex scent.
Underwater Candles: Staying Lit and Other Mysteries
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Fresh scents, like eucalyptus, pine, and lavender
If you're looking for a candle to mask strong odors, fresh scents like eucalyptus, pine, and lavender are a great choice. These fragrances can fill a room with a clean and refreshing aroma, transforming your space into a spa-like oasis.
Eucalyptus-scented candles offer a woody, camphoraceous, minty, and slightly sweet fragrance. The scent is invigorating and energizing, making it perfect for refreshing your space. Pairing eucalyptus with mint further enhances its refreshing qualities, providing a crisp and clean scent that purifies the air. The Harlem Candle Co.'s "Holiday" Luxury Candle combines eucalyptus with green pine, hyacinth, fir balsam, and cedarwood, resulting in a fresh and aromatic fragrance.
Lavender is another excellent choice for masking strong odors. Known for its calming and relaxing properties, lavender helps neutralize odors and creates a peaceful atmosphere in bedrooms or living rooms. The Mrs. Meyer's lavender candle is an affordable option that delivers a powerful yet not overwhelming scent. For a more complex fragrance, the Ojai Lavender candle by P.F. Candle blends lavender with top notes of bergamot, eucalyptus, and orange, followed by middle notes of rose and lily, and a base of mint and red cedar.
Combining eucalyptus and lavender creates a soothing fusion that brings the calmness of a spa retreat into your home. The Eucalyptus + Lavender 100% Essential Oil Soy Candle from Slow North is an eco-friendly option that merges the crisp, clean essence of eucalyptus with the soft, comforting aroma of lavender.
Pine is a wonderful scent for creating a woodsy, fresh environment. It is particularly effective in eliminating smoke or pet odors. The Amber & Moss Soy Candle by P.F. Candle Co. incorporates pine resin with earthy moss, minty eucalyptus, and rich vanilla, resulting in a subtle, musky, and fresh fragrance.
These fresh scents of eucalyptus, pine, and lavender are excellent choices for masking strong odors, providing a range of aromatic and therapeutic benefits to transform your space.
Candling Pipped Eggs: Veins Still Visible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Earthy scents, like cypress and moss
If you're looking for an earthy candle to mask strong odours, consider those with cypress and moss scents. These candles can fill your space with the aroma of a lush rainforest or a stroll through a pine forest. Here are some options to explore:
Boy Smells Hinoki Fantôme Candle
This candle by Boy Smells offers a unique and complex scent profile. It combines the freshness of Japanese cypress (hinoki) with the earthiness of oakmoss and the warmth of amber and sweet vanilla. The result is a punchy and distinct fragrance that lends a ceremonial feel to any space. The candle is known for its strong throw, filling the room with its scent even when unlit.
Amber & Moss Candle by P.F. Candle Co.
The Amber & Moss candle presents a balanced fragrance of earthy moss and pine resin, enhanced by notes of minty eucalyptus and rich vanilla. Its scent is nuanced and complex without being overwhelming, making it a great choice for those who appreciate subtle fragrances. The candle comes in a functional and unfussy vessel that blends seamlessly with most decor styles.
Costa Brazil Candle
This candle from Costa Brazil captures the essence of the rainforest. It features notes of Japanese cypress, oakmoss, and vetiver, creating a fresh and earthy aroma that transforms any room. The candle's impressive cold throw ensures that its scent lingers even when it's not lit. It also comes in a beautiful chrome votive that serves as a decorative piece.
Eden Glory's African Collection Candle
As part of Eden Glory's African collection, this candle draws inspiration from the woodland landscapes of South Africa. It combines fresh notes of lemon, lavender, and grapefruit with earthy tones of cedar, moss, and spicy clove. The result is a subtle yet sophisticated fragrance that evokes a walk through a lush forest. This sustainable brand donates 10% of its profits to mental health charities.
Kringle's "It's Alive" Candle
If you're seeking a more unconventional option, Kringle's "It's Alive" candle from their Halloween line might pique your interest. It offers a unique blend of wet earth and moss scents, providing a moist and musty aroma that some candle enthusiasts seek. While it may be challenging to find candles that accurately capture these earthy notes without added sweetness, Kringle's creation seems to fit the bill, based on reviews.
These candles, with their earthy scents of cypress and moss, can help mask strong odours and create a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere in your space.
Lux and Candles: Understanding Their Relationship
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$16.99

Spicy scents, like clove
The Langston Luxury Candle is a clove-scented candle that can help replace unpleasant pet odors with a warm, peaceful aroma. You can also try the Cleveland Candle Co. for a clove-only scented candle. If you're feeling creative, you can even make your own clove candle using essential clove oil and soy wax, which burns cleaner than paraffin.
Clove is often combined with other scents to create a complex aroma. The Paddywax Tobacco Flower Form Candle, for example, has notes of orange, cinnamon, patchouli, clove, and sandalwood. It offers a subtle, smoky-sweet fragrance. For a brighter scent, Spoken Flames offers a candle with notes of cedarwood, orange, and clove, balancing citrus with woodiness.
In addition to candles, clove essential oil can be used in an oil burner or placed on cotton and tucked away to mask odors. Clove oil has also been used for toothaches, and you can simply buy cloves and put them in a dish to enjoy their fragrance.
Black Candle Magic: Unveiling Ancient Secrets
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
There are many candles on the market that can mask strong odors, such as Fresh Wave candles and wax melts, Bath & Body Works Rose Water & Ivy Signature Candle, and Boy Smells Hinoki Fantôme Candle.
If you are looking for natural ways to mask odors, you can try placing a package of cheap coffee in your room as it absorbs odors.
Some candles that are designed to eliminate odors include Goose Creek Candles, Dianne's Custom Candles, and Fresh Wave candles and wax melts.











































