Making Scented Candles
Making scented candles is easy! Once you experiment, you will be a pro at adding scent. Imagine walking into a room that smells like Christmas or the Holidays; or you can choose from the light delightful scent of wild roses or lilacs. The olfactory (our sense of smell) is the strongest of the five senses. You may find a smell that takes you back in time, the smell of cinnamon makes me think of my Grandmother’s cinnamon rolls.
You set the mood of any room or house by simply lighting a candle, the soft glow, the alluring smell that fills the air. If you want a romantic ambience, there are dozens of essential oils to choose from. You are going to love working and experimenting with scents; because once you do your first scented candle, you are hooked!
How do I know what scent to add?
Finding essential oil to work with is the easiest part, selecting the scent will be more difficult. My solution; just try them all! The supply is unlimited, either through your local craft store or online. You will want to use the oil based scents, as your wax is oil based instead of water based fragrances, hence, oil and water don’t mix. You don’t want to be left with all your scent floating to the bottom of your candle, or as your candle burns, to have pockets of scent ruining it.
The rule of thumb with adding scents is less is better. If you were mixing a pound of wax (16 oz.) you would never want to add more than one ounce of essential oil to your batch. I like to start out with a smaller amount, and work my way up to the full ounce. I have a very sensitive nose, so I am very conservative on the amount of essential oils that I use.
When do I add the scent?
Choosing the type of wax is important. Soy, palm or beeswax mix great with essential oils. Paraffin is another wax that mixes well with scents, especially if you are just beginning. Gel wax will work with the higher density, but you have to work with the right percentages. Your recipe will give you guidelines for adding the right amount of scent. Then experiment to see what you like best.
The process is the same for making scented candles as regular ones. Melt the wax, using your double boiler or wax melting pot, closely watching the temperature. Then you cool it to the temperature that the recipe suggests to add the scent, mixing it thoroughly with the wax. Have your container or mold ready to go, and then place your wick. Gently pour your wax into your mold or container. Position your wick and cool.
Keep a Record
It is a good idea to keep a record of the recipe – so that you can go back and make notes about your finished candle. I like to take a picture, especially if I’m making a new type of candle.
Making scented candles is fun and easy. Finding the right colors and scents to consistently make your favorite candles is so rewarding. Once you feel comfortable making your candles, you will start to give them as gifts. Last year, by sisters and I all agreed that all our presents for Christmas was going to be homemade. I have to tell you, my scented candles were a hit!
See! I told you making scented candles is easy. Now it’s up to you. Experiment and have fun with designing the right candle for the right situation. Let me know how you do!
