| If you are making candles to sell to the public, you | | | | In candles, fragrance oils work better than the |
| already know that most buyers want a luxurious | | | | essential oils. This is true in paraffin wax candles |
| scent to go along with a candle that has quality burn | | | | because the fragrance mixes better with the wax. In |
| characteristics. Most of the products advertised on | | | | soy wax, some candle makers believe the essential |
| the internet, in magazines, or on television laud the | | | | oils are better. |
| fact that they smell nice. Candle making fragrance | | | | Another way to add fragrance to candles is through |
| and essential oils are the primary products used to | | | | scent sticks. These are made from fragrance oils. It |
| create scented candles. | | | | generally takes more of the solid than it does of the |
| What is an essential oil? One authoritative definition | | | | liquid to get similar results in the aroma. Some candle |
| describes it as a concentrated, hydrophobic liquid that | | | | makers do not use scent sticks because they believe |
| has volatile aroma compounds, and it is derived from | | | | they are inferior. |
| plants. It is also known as volatile or ethereal oil. That | | | | There are three ways to scent candles. The |
| makes it sound more like something to keep away | | | | recommended way is to add it into the wax while it |
| from than something to put in a candle. | | | | is a liquid. If it is adequately mixed into the wax, the |
| Realistically, essential oils are called that because they | | | | fragrance will be distributed throughout the candle. |
| carry an essence or distinctive scent of the plant | | | | Soaking the wick in fragrance or essential oil before |
| they are derived from. Essential oils are extracted | | | | the wax is poured around it is another way that |
| from the plants of origin and used in perfumes, | | | | some candle makers do their scenting. Some even |
| soaps, cosmetics, incense, food flavorings, and | | | | pour the candle without a wick and bore a hole after |
| household cleaners. One of the more popular uses, | | | | it sets to push the scented wick into. |
| other than candles, is in aromatherapy. | | | | If you have an existing candle with no scent, you |
| Some of the plants used for these oils are lavender, | | | | may choose to drill small holes parallel with the wick |
| peppermint, eucalyptus, and citrus plants. Essential oils | | | | and pour in the fragrance oil. Three or four holes |
| are very strong, but do not work well with paraffin | | | | equally spaced around and equally spaced from the |
| wax candles. They show better characteristics in soy | | | | wick should be enough. After the liquid fills the holes, |
| wax. | | | | push wax over the hole to seal it up until the candle |
| Fragrance oils are synthetically blended oils, | | | | is lit. |
| sometimes called aroma or flavor oils. Fragrance oils | | | | Candle making fragrance takes the most mundane |
| can contain diluted essential oils, vegetable oils, and | | | | candle and gives it aromatic life. There is an endless |
| mineral oils. They are sometimes used in perfumes, | | | | variety of scents available in essential and fragrance |
| but are considered less desirable than the essential | | | | oils, and those can be mixed and blended to achieve |
| oils in this particular application. | | | | many more variations of aromatic fragrance. |