Scented candles are great for creating a special atmosphere in a room or during an event; in addition, they can also be used to purify the air and help breathing. Creating scented candles is very simple, you can add an aroma to an existing candle or create one from scratch. In this article you will find some useful tips to try it out.
Steps
Method 1 of 6: Choose the Perfume
Step 1. Think about the type of scent you would like to give the candle
It is true that there are endless possibilities, but not all of them will suit your tastes. Some fragrances are industrially produced with chemical additives, others derive from plants, still others from essential oils. The origin of the fragrance should suggest you in your choice, especially if you consider the potential presence of chemical additives that could be released into the air of your home. The main sources of scented candles are:
- Industrially produced fragrances: You can find them in a liquid state and are available in major stores that sell items for making candles. The intensity of the fragrance depends on the brand and the possibility of finding a more or less wide variety of ingredients depends on the commercial choice of the production company. Calculate that you will need approximately 30 ml of liquid fragrance for every kg of melted wax
- Scented oils: These products are 100% synthetic and are not usually made for candles, however they can still be used to perfume them. Even for the latter, everything that has been said for industrially produced fragrances applies. Many of these scented oils are extremely concentrated, so small amounts have to be used. Calculate that you will need approximately 10-15 drops of perfumed oil per 500g of melted wax.
- Essential oils: The latter are produced in a natural way, obtained from plants such as aromatic herbs and flowers. Essential oils have specific properties, which you can find by doing a simple search on the internet or in books that talk about essential oils. Not all essential oils are effective for scenting wax, so you need to experiment before using them. Calculate that you will need about 10-15 drops of essential oil for every 500g of melted wax.
- Natural Fragrances: This category includes chopped or crumbled plants, spices and aromatic herbs, grated lemon peel, etc. Some of them work very well when mixed with wax, such as ground cinnamon, crumbled lavender flowers or finely grated lemon zest. Others may not melt properly in the wax or may prevent the wax itself from solidifying; for this reason it is important to do some research before starting. Calculate that you will need approximately one teaspoon of spices, aromatic herbs or grated lemon zest for every 500g of wax.
Method 2 of 6: Simply Add a Fragrance
The process is very simple when you already have a candle to which you want to add a fragrance. However, your creation will not last long, so it will be necessary to add a little fragrance often; however, it is an optimal method, if what you want to achieve is an immediate intense scent.
Step 1. Light a candle that smells free
Let it burn until a layer of melted wax forms around the flame.
The candle used should not have any fragrance, otherwise you risk that this is stronger than the one you want to use, or maybe that the mix of the two fragrances may not be to your liking
Step 2. Use a pipette or dropper to add a drop of essential oil to the melted wax
Avoid pouring the oil near the lit flame.
Step 3. The fragrance will spread as the candle continues to burn
Repeat the procedure when the poured oil loses its effectiveness.
Method 3 of 6: Using Pressed Herbs
Aromatic herbs (dried or fresh) that are soaked in melted wax will release a slight fragrance when the candle is lit. This effect is enhanced by the addition of essential oils.
Step 1. Think about the decoration you would like to achieve with the leaves
In this way, you can arrange them according to the desired effect instead of placing them randomly. Look at the leaves you have and imagine how you would like them to appear; try to arrange them in the order in which you want to apply them on the candle.
Step 2. Fill a large enough jar with boiling water
Step 3. Immerse the candle in water
Hold the wick tightly and leave the candle in the same position for 1 to 2 minutes. Make sure that the candle is completely immersed in water.
Step 4. Remove the candle from the jar and place it on a sheet of parchment paper
Arrange the leaves on the surface of the candle, which will now be soft, with the help of tweezers. Apply light pressure.
It is important that this step is quick, as the wax solidifies quickly and once the leaves are in one position, you will not be able to add more
Step 5. Immerse the candle again in boiling water
In this way the leaves will be fixed with an additional layer of melted wax.
The further immersion in boiling water serves to fix the pressed leaves further inside. Remember that if you add other layers of leaves, the first ones will go towards the inside of the candle while the last ones will be in the outer layers
Step 6. Pour a few drops of essential oil onto the outermost wax before it solidifies
Distribute them evenly and let dry.
Step 7. Repeat this for each candle you want to create
These candles prepared in this way will last a long time; however, you may need to add more drops of essential oil if you don't turn them on for some time.
Method 4 of 6: Floating Scented Candles
Step 1. Place the paraffin in a double boiler
Heat the water in the pot below. The wax will begin to melt.
Step 2. Add some vinyl wax dye to the melted wax
Add as much as you like - the more dye you add, the more intense the candle color will be.
Step 3. Add the fragrance
You can use either a few drops of essential oil or scented wax.
Step 4. Remove the pot from the water bath
Pour the melted wax into the molds and let it cool slowly.
Step 5. Cut the wick
Consider a length of about 5 cm. Place each wick in the center of the wax that is cooling.
Step 6. Add some wax if necessary
The wax tends to shrink slightly when it solidifies; if you think you need a little more, freely add a little melted wax to your candles.
Step 7. Let it cool
Step 8. Use candles as follows:
- Fill a shallow bowl with water.
- Put the candles to float on the water.
- Add some flowers between the floating candles for a more graceful arrangement.
- Light the candles.
- Arrange your composition as a centerpiece or somewhere else, as a decorative element.
Method 5 of 6: Lavender Scented Candles
Step 1. Prepare the mold
Take a can (like a bean can) and cover the inner walls with silicone spray.
Step 2. Place the lavender flowers on a baking sheet
Keep it aside.
Step 3. Prepare the wick:
- Cut the wick. Cut it at least 5 cm longer than the height of the can.
- Attach a weight to the bottom of the wick.
- Attach the other end of the wick to a wick holder. The wick should be taut and once placed in the mold, it should stay taut.
Step 4. Melt the paraffin
Put the wax in a bain-marie and boil the water. Heat it until it reaches a temperature of about 85 - 88 ° C. Then add:
- Fragments of purple wax crayon;
- Lavender essential oil;
- Finally mix everything.
Step 5. Pour the melted wax into the mold / can
Help yourself with a ladle. Let it cool and solidify. This process will take approximately 3 hours.
Step 6. Remove the candle from the mold
To even the base, place the candle on a hot pan for a few seconds.
Step 7. Add the flowers to the candle
- Melt the paraffin in a water bath. Let it melt until it reaches a temperature of about 93-99 ° C.
- Using a brush, coat the outside of the candle with this melted wax.
- Immediately roll the candle onto the pan where you previously placed the lavender flowers. Many of them will instantly stick to the sides of the candle. Let it cool down.
Step 8. Finished
The candle is ready to use and will be effective even after keeping it aside for some time.
Method 6 of 6: Scent the wick
With this method you will be able to obtain a fragrance that will last over time. You can only use it if you decide to make the candle from scratch.
Step 1. Melt a small candle
Step 2. Add a few drops of essential oil to your liking
Step 3. Prepare the wicks
To do this, dip the wicks in the melted wax for about 20 minutes. Afterward, take them out and pull them to straighten them. Let them rest on a sheet of parchment paper to harden.
Step 4. Prepare the candles
Use scented wicks.
Advice
- A scented candle makes a great gift. You can wrap them in cellophane, close it with a raffia ribbon or a bow and add a small label with the fragrance of the candle written on it.
- The most common essential oils used for candles are lemongrass (lemon fragrance and excellent insect repellent); lavender (a familiar fragrance that calms and invigorates at the same time); pink (calming, great for mental tension, a delicious fragrance); yang yang (sensual and antidepressant); chamomile (slightly reminiscent of the smell of apples and has a calming effect).
- You will find other ideas for scenting your candles at the bottom of the page.
Warnings
- Never leave burning candles unattended; turn them off if there is no one in the room who can control them.
- Not everyone likes the same scents –– be sure to keep other people's preferences in mind when adding a fragrance to your candles.
- Some people are allergic to the products used to perfume candles.
