Making Scented Candles

Making scented candles adds another dimension to your candlemaking.

Scented candles add the dimension of fragrance to a room. The candlelight from any candle gives a room a romantic feeling. However, when a fragrance is added, the elegance of the room grows.

One nice thing about scented candles is that they add fragrance to a room even when the candle is not lit. Also, they make wonderful gifts and are appreciated even more when they are handmade.

Which Fragrance to Use?

You can use fragrance oil that is available at most craft stores or online for your scented candles.

Learn the Insider
Secrets to Successful Candle Making

Home Candle Making Made Easy

Don't try to use water or alcohol-based perfumes (in other words, don't sprinkle some of your favorite cologne into your melted candle wax) because waxes are close to oil in their chemical composition.  Water and oil do not mix so water-based perfume simply won't work as a candle scent.

Scented Candle How To 

The process of making scented candles is the same as making regular candles. You will need to consider which kind of wax you are going to use. There are several kinds of wax that are available today you have quite the choice.

There are natural waxes like soy, palm, or beeswax. There is also paraffin wax, which is your basic wax that most candles are made of, as well as gel candle wax.

All of these types of wax can be used to make scented candles. However the amount of scent that each wax can hold varies considerably. Gel candle wax can hold the least.

In order to make any type of candle, you have to first melt the wax before you can pour it into your candle mold.

As always, it's best to use a thermometer to keep track of the temperature of the wax. Most suppliers will recommend a melt temperature for each of the wax is they offer.

For paraffin waxes this temperature is usually around 170 to 180°. Soy waxes gently require a lower temperature and gel waxes higher.

While the wax is melting, you can position the wick in the mold or container.

After the wax is melted, it's time to add any colorings you are using and then the fragrance. If you're using a wax dye, add it while the wax is still on the heat and make sure it's evenly distributed.

Once that's done it's time to add the fragrance oil. Remove the wax in the heat to maximize the retention of the fragrance. Typically most waxes will accept about 1 ounce of fragrance per pound of wax.

More Scent Is Not Better

Naturally, you can add less fragrance if you desire a mild scent but don't add more or the wax will perform poorly. For example, it may burn irregularly, sputter and develop pools of liquid on the surface.

If you desire strongly scented candles, one tip is to buy high-quality scented oils. Less expensive oils are usually diluted and so have less fragrance for a given amount of oil.

As you gain more experience, you'll also develop a sense of which waxes can handle a bit more fragrance without any problem. Here's where keeping notes of your projects helps you reproduce successful results.

Making scented candles rather whole new dimension to your candle making hobby. I hope these guidelines help you get started.

Learn to make beautiful candles at home. Check out:

Home Candle Making Made Easy