Scented candles are usually used to enhance the atmosphere in a room or event, they are also used to help clear the air, or relieve breathing. Making scented candles is as easy as adding fragrance to an existing candle or adding it to a candle made from scratch. Whichever way you prefer, here are some pointers to try.
Step
Method 1 of 6: Choosing Fragrance Ingredients
Step 1. Decide what kind of fragrance you want to add to the candle
The choices are many, but not all of them are according to your personal preference. Some commercially produced fragrances contain chemicals, others are of plant origin, while others are made from essential oils. The original ingredients of the fragrance can influence your choice to use it, especially if you are worried about the chemicals that are polluted in your home environment. Sources for scented candles are:
- Deodorizer for making commercial candles: This fragrance is in liquid form and is available at most stores that sell candle-making supplies. The strength of a fragrance varies from brand to brand and whether or not you can know the list of ingredients will depend on the manufacturer's willingness to include it. Use about 29.5 ml of liquid deodorizer for every 1 kg of wax that is melted.
- Fragrance oils: These oils are 100 percent synthetic and are not made specifically for candles but can usually still give candles a nice scent. Same problem as with commercial fragrances. Most of these perfume oils are highly concentrated, so use them sparingly. Use about 10-15 drops of perfume oil for every 500 grams of melted wax.
- Essential Oils: These oils are produced naturally from plants such as herbs and flowers. Essential oils have specific properties, which can be found by searching online or reading books about essential oils. Not all essential oils can be used for candles, so you need to try them first. Use about 10-15 drops of essential oil for every 500 grams of melted wax.
- Natural fragrance sources: These include crushed or powdered plants, spices and herbs, crushed orange peel, and so on. Some work best with melted wax, such as ground cinnamon, crushed lavender, or crushed lemon zest. Some won't mix well, won't harden the wax, or won't burn the wick, so do your research first. Use about 1 teaspoon of ground spices, herbs, or orange peel for 500 grams of wax.
Method 2 of 6: Addition of Simple Fragrance
For pre-made unscented candles, here's a simple solution. Candles like this don't last very long, so they may need to be re-scented, but they are good for use as an effective fragrance in the short term.
Step 1. Light an unscented candle
Allow the wax to burn until a clump of melted wax forms around the burned area.
The candle should not contain fragrance, otherwise it will smell too much or not mix well with the fragrance you are adding
Step 2. Use a dropper or dropper to add a drop of essential oil to the melted wax lump
Avoid oil near sources of ignition.
Step 3. Wait for the fragrance to start to evaporate as the candle burns
Add more of the essential oil if necessary.
Method 3 of 6: Herbal Scented Candles
Herbs (dried or fresh) softened in melted wax will release a light fragrance when they burn. This effect is enhanced by the addition of essential oils.
Step 1. Consider designing the leaf pattern first
This will ensure that you are able to arrange the leaves in a careful way and not rush to attach them to the wax. Take a look at the leaves you have and imagine what they will look like and try to arrange them ready to stick on the wax.
Step 2. Fill a long jar with boiling water
Step 3. Soak the wax in the water
Hold the candle in place from the wick for 1-2 minutes. Make sure the candle is submerged.
Step 4. Remove the candle from the jar and place it on the parchment paper
Place the leaf on a soft wax surface, using tweezers. Gently press on the wax surface.
Do it quickly, when the wax hardens, the leaves will stick in place and no more leaves can be added
Step 5. Soak the wax again in hot water
The leaves will stick to the new layer of melted wax.
Prolonged immersion in hot water will cause the leaves to adhere deeper to the wax. Remember, as you add more layers of leaves, some of the leaves will go deeper, and some of them will be closer to the surface, if you do this a few times
Step 6. Drop a few drops of essential oil onto the sides of the wax before it hardens
Do it evenly. Let the wax harden.
Step 7. Repeat this step for as many candles as you want to make
Candles can last a long time, but you will need to add more essential oil after the wax has been stored for a long time.
Method 4 of 6: Floating Scented Candles
Step 1. Pour the paraffin wax into a stacking pot or bain marie
Heat the water in the bottom pan. Wait for the wax to melt slowly.
Step 2. Add a small amount of wax dye disc to the melted wax
Add more if you like - the more color wax you add, the stronger the color will be.
Step 3. Add fragrance
Add a few drops of essential oil or wax perfume.
Step 4. Remove the top of the pot from the stove
Pour the melted wax into the mould. Let it harden a bit.
Step 5. Cut the candle wick
Cut 5 cm long. Insert each wick into the center of the hardened candle.
Step 6. Add more wax if necessary
The wax will shrink slightly as it hardens; If you think you need a little more, then don't be afraid to add a little melted wax.
Step 7. Allow to harden
Step 8. Use the candle as follows:
- Fill a shallow bowl with water.
- Put a candle on it.
- Add some flowers with a flat surface between the floating candles to make it look prettier.
- Light a candle if necessary.
- Place this candle in the center of a table or other place where a sparkling decorative element is needed.
Method 5 of 6: Lavender Scented Candle
Step 1. Prepare the mold
Spray the soup can with nonstick spray or silicone spray.
Step 2. Spread the lavender flowers on the baking sheet
Place it on one side.
Step 3. Prepare the wick:
- Cut the candle wick. Cut the candle wick at least 5 cm longer than the height of the tin mold.
- Tie the weights to the bottom of the wick.
- Tie the other end of the wick to the wick support. The wick should feel tight and when it is on top of the mold, it should not loosen.
Step 4. First melt the paraffin wax at a medium melting point
Place the stacking pot in two on the stove and heat the water. Heat until it reaches a temperature of 85 degrees celsius-87 degrees celsius. Then add:
- Purple crayon pieces;
- Lavender essential oil;
- Then stir.
Step 5. Pour melted wax into soup tin molds
Use a ladle to remove the wax from the stacking pan. Set aside to cool and harden. This process takes about 3 hours.
Step 6. Remove the wax from the mold
To even out the bottom, place the bottom of the wax in a hot skillet for a few minutes.
Step 7. Add flowers to the candle
- Melt the paraffin wax at a high melting point in a stacking saucepan. Melt until it reaches a temperature of 93 degrees Celsius to 98 degrees Celsius.
- Paint the outside of the wax with this melted wax.
- Immediately roll the wax on a baking sheet sprinkled with lavender flowers. Most flowers will quickly stick to the sides of the candle. Let it harden.
Step 8. Done
Candles are ready to use or store for a long time.
Method 6 of 6: Making a Scented Wick
This method can provide a source of long-lasting fragrance. This method is only suitable for making whole candles from scratch.
Step 1. Melt some wax
Step 2. Add some desired essential oil test
Step 3. Coat the wicks
To do this, soak the wick in the melted wax for 20 minutes. Then, lift and straighten the axis. Place it on parchment paper or greaseproof paper to allow the wick to harden.
Step 4. Make a candle
Use a scented wick.
Tips
- Certain essential oils that can be added to candles include citronella oil (which acts as an insect repellent and has a citrus scent); lavender (its fragrance is very popular and can be calming and refreshing); rose (calming, good for easing mental tension, pleasant fragrance); yang yang (smells sensual and useful as an antidepressant); chamomile (smells a bit like apples and has a calming effect).
- More ideas for making scented candles can be found below in the "Related wikiHow" section.
- Scented candles make great gifts. Candles can be wrapped in cellophane wrapper, tied with a rope made of raffia leaf fiber or ribbon at the top and can also be added with a label that says the type of candle fragrance.
Warning
- Never leave a burning candle unattended; Blow out the candles if no one is around to watch.
- Some people are allergic to scented products.
- Some fragrances can be annoying to some – just be sure to pay attention to other people's tastes when scenting candles.
