There is nothing cozier than a scented candle in your home. It is a simple but very useful product to fill your home with an aura of warmth and comfort.
Scented candles will never go out of fashion, although there are people who candle making it to another level: scenting their own unscented candles. That way, they can infuse their favorite scents and even create combinations you’d never find in stores.
Don’t worry, this won’t be a long tutorial. In fact, it’s quite simple to add scent to candles, just follow these steps.
Table of Contents
How To Add Scent To An Unscented Candle
First, choose a quality unscented candle, such as a beeswax or soy wax candle. Size is also an important factor. If you are looking to make a long-lasting scented candle, choose a large candle, but if you want a simply decorative one, go for a more festive candle.
The advantage of doing it in a handmade way is that you can add your desired scents: flowers, fruits, spices, sweets… You choose!
What Type Of Aromatic Ingredient To Use In Unscented Candles?
As for scenting your candles, you can use essences, perfume counterparts, scented wax, fragrance oil, or essential oil – whatever you prefer! With any of these four ways to add scent to your candles, you will get your homemade creations to smell wonderful.
Do you want to know the differences between them? Here we go:
- Candle essences are concentrated fragrances that you only have to dilute in liquid kerosene. There are very different scents: fruity, floral, sweet, citrus, spicy… With them scenting candles is very simple and there is a wide variety of aromas.
- Using essential oil has the advantage of natural origin. The aromas are more limited, but with them, you can enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy through candles.
- Perfume counterparts are scents that smell similar to well-known commercial colognes, i.e. they are olfactorily in line with perfumes we all recognize. Using these scents to scent candles will make them smell like your favorite perfume.
- Scented wax cubes might kind of defeat the purpose by adding wax to wax, but it is an option, These come as strips or scented cubes that you can simply add to the melting process when the time is right
Now, Let’s Get To The Tutorial
- Start by lighting the candle and let it burn for about 30 minutes, and then blow it out.
- The previous step should have left some melted wax around the wick, so it’s time to pour the aromatic or fragrance oil into the melted wax through a dropper. You only need to add a few drops, 3 to 4 is enough, although if you want a strong aroma you will have to pour more drops.
- Very carefully, begin to spread the essence or scented oil into the wax of the candle, from the wick to the edges.
- Once the scent hardens, light your candle once more to test the results. If you perceive that the essence is too weak, repeat the process if you want a stronger scent.
And that’s it, that’s how simple it is to add scent to a candle. Just keep in mind that you must keep it lit for the first time for a few hours for it to melt evenly.
Definitely easier to scent a candle than handmade candle-making from scratch.
Benefits Of Homemade Scented Candles
Scented candles are a delight for the senses. What’s more, it has been proven by several studies the power they have to improve moods.
We all like the idea of lighting some scented candles and relaxing in that warm and peaceful atmosphere. Their dim light and aroma help to create relaxation and calm, perfect to say goodbye to accumulated tensions.
Depending on the aroma you choose, you will get some sensations or others. For example;
Smells of lemon, lavender, and orange reduce anxiety and greatly increase concentration.
Scents such as jasmine and chamomile are extremely relaxing and are ideal for aromatherapy.
Eucalyptus favors concentration and citrus scents help to refresh the atmosphere.
The scent of cinnamon is a natural stimulant, ideal for enjoying a relaxing day as a couple.
In addition to filling your home with a pleasant smell, scented candles also look great as decoration.
Tips For The Best Homemade Scented Candles
Beyond their benefits, scented candles require certain care to ensure longevity and a powerful aroma.
Trim the wick every time you light it
Every time you relight the candle, trim the wick between 3 and 6mm. To know how much you should trim, keep in mind that the wick should protrude from the wax block only about 2mm. With this simple step, you will get a cleaner and brighter light.
Let the wax melt to the edge of the container
When lighting a candle, do not blow it out until the top layer of wax has melted completely, edge to edge. If a candle wax does not melt completely, the tunnel effect occurs. That is, the wick begins to sink deeper and deeper, and, eventually, the hole is so deep that it becomes impossible to light it with a match.
Keep the candle away from drafts
Air currents have a decisive influence on the form and time of combustion. They are the culprits of the black spots on the glass containers and the candles are consumed before time. So, keep them away from any source of air, natural or artificial: fans, air conditioning machines, or open windows that might blow the candle.
Store unused candles in a cool place away from heat sources
While you wait to experiment with the next round of unscented candles, be sure to store them in places where they are protected from the sun’s rays to prevent them from melting.
Who Knew Making Your Own Fragrances Was So Easy?
As you’ve seen, the only difficult part of scenting your candles is choosing the right scent or combination, so start experimenting and have fun!
