8 Reasons Your Candle Smells Great

Did you know that making a great smelling candle isn't just about how much fragrance goes into the wax?

Of course, that is the #1 reason.  A scented candle contains, on average, 6-10% fragrance by weight.  Here are some other reasons your candle may, or may not, smell.

The job of a candle maker is to acquire the proper fragrance oil for candles, and there is a difference.  Fragrance oils made primarily for bath and body products are designed to accommodate contact with skin, and that formulation may not work in wax. The type of wax used to make the candle affects the end product - soy, paraffin, beeswax, and so on, and even the style of candle.  Jar, or container candles, will always smell better than a pillar.  The fragrance needs to bind with the wax, so the maker has to monitor the temperature and add it at the correct time.  And vegetable based waxes need to cure, so they get better with age.

And then there is the wick.  The type of wick and size of wick must compliment the wax and the width of the candle.  The wick needs to support the flame and also be large enough to create enough heat to raise the wax temperature to unlock the fragrance.  Who knew there was so much science in getting it right!

As the end user, remember, the melted wax is what determines the scent throw.  Keep in mind the amount of time you have to burn your candle.  You want that wax to get liquid to the edge of the candle and 1/2" deep as well to really put that scent to work.  Also consider the area you are scenting, and choose the right size of candle for the job.  Obviously, a tealight candle will not scent a 14' x 20' family room but it might work fine for a bath.

Is there any truth to refrigerating your candle to better the smell?  NO- that is a myth.  Candles work on heat, not cold, and it may actually wreck your candle.

Got a candle question?  Send it my way and it just might be the next blog.