How Do You Make Essential Oil Candles Smell Stronger?

Do you prefer to make your candles instead of buying them to customize the scent? We all know that scented candles may not always deliver on the scent front as advertised. Mastering the art of scenting your candles may seem like a mad science project. But it is easier than it looks.

In some cases, the issue may be the way of being used. And in some instances, it may be due to the quantity or the quality of the essential oil you used. Not to worry, by the end of this article, you will be a master creator of scented candles.

How to Make your Candles Smell Stronger

Why are you candles not throwing scent?

1. You are using the wrong type of wax.
2. You are using adulterated or low-quality essential oils.
3. You used minimal essential oils.
4. You added the oil at the wrong temperature.
5. Your wick is affecting the rate of candle burning.
6. You are not curing your candles long enough.
7. You are making skinny candles.

How to Make candles with the better scent throw

The tips below correspond with the reasons listed above, respectively.

1. Invest in high-quality wax or wax blend with better scent throw. Shop around for waxes that are known to offer better scent throw. You can also use wax blends. Visit candle making forums to get recommendations on some excellent quality waxes.
2. Invest in high-quality cold-pressed essential oils that will not affect the candle wax.
3. As a general rule of thumb, use thirty to forty drops of essential oil per eight ounces of candle wax. Start at thirty drops and increase as needed. You can also use more for lighter scents and less essential oils for heavier fragrances.
4. The optimal temperature for adding essential oils to wax is 185⁰ Mix it thoroughly but gently.
5. Use a medium-sized wick to allow for faster candle burning. A hotter flame will result in a more excellent scent throw. Additionally, using a wooden wick will alter the smell of your candle.
6. Let your candles cure for at least three days before you start burning them. To increase the scent throw, let your candles cure for one to two weeks.
7. Thinner candles have weaker scent throw whereas thicker or wider candles give a more durable scent throw. Try to pour your candles in candle making containers or glass jars with a broader surface area to allow for faster smell diffusion.

What Candle Wax Holds the Most Fragrance?

The best candle wax for making scented candles is soft paraffin wax. It tends to have a better scent throw when hot. To also has some leftover scent throw even when the candle is off. It also makes candles with a better appearance.

The second best was for making scented candles is soy wax. They also have lest frosting than other wax types and are easy to use than other waxes. For great candles, opt for a wax blend that contains soy and paraffin wax.

This will make the wax easier to work with, burn better, and have better scent throw. Another excellent wax blend is a paraffin coconut blend. You get maximum scent throw coupled with a slow burn resulting in better quality scented candles.

Here are some affordable waxes with excellent scent throw;

1. Royal Oak Sales 972 Household Paraffin Wax
2. Gulf Wax Household Paraffin Wax 
3. Blended Waxes, Inc. Household Paraffin Wax
4. The Candlemaker’s Store 05417002641 Natural Soy Wax
5. The Wooden Wick Co. Natural Soy and Coconut Blend Wax 

What Essential Oils are Good for Candle Making?

The best essential oils to use depends on your preference. As long as you use pure unadulterated essential oils or oils that contain safe carrier oils, you can use any oil of your choosing. That said, ensure you buy your essential oils or essential oil blends from a trusted supplier.

Some suppliers may fail to list additive used in the extraction process, which may affect the chemical structure of your candle wax resulting in poor burning. To be on the safe side, buy cold-pressed oils.

The most commonly used essential oils are lavender oil, rose oil, jasmine oil, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus oil.

Here are my favorite essential oils that you should give a try;

1. Bergamot oil
2. Lemon Oil
3. Sweet orange oil
4. Ylang ylang
5. Lemongrass oil

Can I Use Diffuser Oil to Make Candles?

No. Diffuser oils contain additives that enable them to diffuse. Most oils are dense and have limited scent throw. Diffuser oils have been altered using compounds such as di-propylene glycol (DPG) that enable the scent of the oil to be far-reaching. These diffusion compounds are not meant to be burnt.

Propylene Glycol is combustible and should not be handled near sparks or heat. As this is the base compound in DPG, you should be wary in using any diffuser oil containing it in making candles. Other forms of diffuser bases are also volatile and should not be used in candles.

Can I Mix Fragrance Oils With Essential Oils for Candles?

Essential oils are oils extracted from plants or flowers. The term essential oil is based on the assumption that the oils contain the essence of the plant or flower. Pure essential oils are derived from distilling plant and flower extracts using steam or from cold pressing.

Fragrance oils are also known as aromatic oils. They are made from essential oils diluted in carriers such as vegetable oil or propylene glycol. Some fragrance oils are also made from synthetic aroma compounds.

Synthetic fragrance oils contain other ingredients such as alcohol and other additives that may compromise the chemical structure of the candle wax used. The other additives may also be flammable, which can lead to an accident.

They may also contain volatile organic compounds that may be hazardous to your health when inhaled. Ensure you use the purest form of essential oils.

If you are looking for cheaper alternatives, use diluted essential oils with carrier oils that will not compromise your candle wax. Such as castor oil or almond oil. Or you can look for essential oil blends as they tend to be cheaper than pure essential oils.

Conclusion

Now that you have the framework for making perfect scented candles. Make sure you buy the best ingredients, and you will undoubtedly succeed in making perfect scented candles. All you have to do is ensure your mixing ratios, temperature, mixing, and curing times are adhered to, and you will end up with candles with excellent scent throw.