As a candle maker, you learn to be more methodical and patient with the candle-making process over time. Just starting out as a candle maker newbie, you may have added in extra fragrance to make your candle smell extra strong or accidentally put in the wrong amount. Let’s see what can happen if you use the incorrect amount of fragrance.
Adding too much fragrance to soy wax will not only affect the appearance of the candle but can also increase the fire risk, and in the end, not even contribute to an increased fragrant scent.
Soy wax can be greatly affected by using too much fragrance. It can affect many aspects of the candle when it comes to the end result. Let’s look at how to avoid adding in too much fragrance and what else to be aware of when combining fragrance and soy wax.
Too Much Fragrance Oil In Soy Wax
There are a lot of things that can go wrong when you add too much fragrance to your soy wax. It can affect the appearance of the candle, how safe it is to use, its scent, and how efficient the candle is.
Let’s dive into the different categories of what can be affected by too much fragrance in soy wax:
Appearance
Adding too much fragrance to soy wax can cause the candle to appear frothy, cause oil bubbles to appear on the surface of the candle and the candle can end up with a yellow layer of wax at the bottom of the candle. This is due to the oil that has not been bound with the wax. It either goes up to the surface or down to the bottom of the candle.
Too much fragrance added to soy wax can cause issues to the appearance and function of the wick. It can cause dark smoke to appear from the candle when lit as it burns off the excess fragrance oil that was not able to bind with the wax.
The wick can start “mushrooming”, which is where it curls over due to the result of the carbon build-up, which is what happens when the flame consumes more fuel than it can burn.
Safety
The safety of the candle can be compromised if there is too much fragrance added to the soy wax. Too much fragrance in a soy wax candle can become highly flammable and therefore become a fire hazard.
This is because fragrant oils are highly flammable and if there is excess oil in the candle or arising on the surface of the candle, it can be ignited and there can be a large burst from the flame. This can cause your hands, clothing or environment to get caught on fire.
If too much smoke is coming from your candle, it can also affect people who have asthma and allergies as they inhale the smoke, as it can make it more difficult for them to breathe and it may even cause pain.
Scent
Adding too much fragrance to soy wax can actually cause it to have a weaker scent due to the oil not being able to bind properly with the wax and therefore coming up to the surface of the candle, causing the oil bubbles.
Too much fragrance can also cause the wick to become starved of airflow, therefore, you may get the scent of smoke instead of the fragrance that you wanted.
Efficiency
The soy wax candle will become less efficient if you add too much fragrance oil to the wax. This is because you are ignoring the innate properties of the wax and not honoring how all the components work together. The candle will not be efficient and long-lasting if too much fragrance is added because the wax and wick are compromised, therefore causing a nonstable, inconsistent flame.
By looking at all the aspects of how too much fragrance can affect the candle, we can see that there are absolutely no benefits to be gained by not using the appropriate amount of fragrance in your soy wax candle. By adding too much fragrance to your soy wax, it is likely that all aspects of the candle will be compromised in some way.
How To Know How Much Fragrance To Add And When
Are you wanting to make a soy wax candle at home and wondering how much fragrance to add to it? A simple ratio to use to find out how much fragrance to add to your soy wax is using 6-10% fragrance per pound of soy wax.
It is also best to read the bottle of the fragrance oil that you are using and see if it has a recommendation on how much to add and what the best temperature the wax should be when doing so. Ideally, you want to add your fragrance to the soy wax when it is at 180-185°F. Although different fragrances have different flashpoints, so again, read the instructions.
How To Avoid Adding In Too Much Fragrance
To avoid adding too much fragrance into your soy wax, ensure you first know the correct amount to add and ensure you use a measuring spoon, cup, dropper, or similar tool to get the exact amount needed.
If you do not measure and instead pour in an unknown amount or guess what it should be, then most likely at the end of the candle-making process you will not be able to use your data to make changes or you may even not know that the incorrect fragrance amount has caused your issues in the final product.
If you do add too much fragrance to your wax, it would be best to get rid of the batch and start again. This will not only keep you safe from using a hazardous candle but also save you money and supplies as you will keep the candle vessels, wicks and equipment for a good and maybe even sellable batch of good quality candles.
If you do use too much fragrance oil in your soy wax and do decide to keep and use the final product, then it is vital you supervise the candle at all times. Keep it in an open space and away from anything that could catch fire. Know it may not have much of a scent to it and may not last as long as a properly made soy candle. Know the risks of using it first.
Getting the quantities and measurements right is the most important thing in the whole candle-making process, not just with the fragrance. With fragrance, less tends to be more, so don’t be afraid to under scent the candle as you may be surprised with the result. Take your time with it and ensure you have everything you need before starting.
The Best Fragrances To Use In Soy Wax
Different fragrances will affect soy wax differently, so it’s key to know what one works best. There are both low and high-quality fragrances on the market today, so ensure you get the best quality ones you can find. The fragrances used can come down to trial and error or listening to the advice that more experienced candle makers have discovered.
To use the safest fragrance oils, choose fragrances that are phthalate-free. However, ensure you pick a fragrance that you love the smell of in order to make your candle-burning experience enjoyable.
You can use essential oils in your candles instead of fragrance oils. Let’s compare them so you can decide what one you would prefer to use.
Fragrance Oils VS Essential Oils In Soy Wax
| Fragrance Oil | Essential Oil | |
| How Much To Use | 6-10% per pound of soy wax | 100 drops per pound of soy wax |
| Scent | Stronger Smell, Long Lasting Scent, Can Create Perfume-Like Scents | Weaker Smell, Scent Can Fade Over Time, Natural Scents |
| Created | Synthetic Chemicals And Natural Ingredients | Plant-Based Then Distilled Or Cold Pressed |
| Price | Cheaper | More Expensive |
| Temperature Of Wax When Added | 180-185°F | 140°F |
From this table, we can see some key differences between fragrance oil and essential oil and their effects when being used in soy wax. If you wanted a highly scented candle, then using a fragrance oil would be the option to choose for a stronger, long-lasting, and perfume-like scent.
Fragrance oil is also a cheaper option than using essential oils in your soy candle and can be added at a higher temperature. Fragrance oils are synthetic and not a natural, plant-based oil like essential oils are, but it is down to personal preference with what you choose depending on your own needs and values.
14 Signs That Something Has Gone Wrong with Your Candle
After making your soy wax candle, you may notice that your wax doesn’t look quite right, perhaps the color or texture looks wrong? If this is your first-time candle making, then know it is common to experience these signs. With practice and time, you will be able to create a blend that works well and can produce a beautiful-looking candle.
Let’s explore the different appearances your candle might show if something has gone wrong in the candle-making process. You may notice that you have one sign or multiple signs of an issue with the wax. It is often not until the wax cools and sets that you can see them. It can be hard to notice anything wrong with the wax while you are in the midst of making the candle.
Some of these can be caused by adding in too much fragrance and others may be caused by other mistakes.
- Rough, Uneven Surface Of The Wax
This can occur when air escapes through the top of the candle which is caused by the wax cooling too quickly or slowly or if these are air bubbles in the wax.
- Wet Spots Or Gaps In The Wax
This is when you notice gaps in the wax against the candle vessel. They look like wet spots but they are really from the wax shrinking and therefore causing pockets of air in the candle.
- Oily Surface Of The Wax
This is a key sign that too much fragrance has been added as it has surfaced to the top, as it has been unable to bind with the wax.
- White, Chalky, Frosting Appearance
A white, frosty appearance can occur on the sides and top of the candle from the growth of tiny crystals.
- Yellow Colored Wax
This is ultimately discoloration caused by natural ingredients in oils that you have used.
- Tunneling In The Middle Of The Candle
This looks like a narrow pool that has been formed around the wick which can be caused by using a too small-sized wick.
- Clumpy Wax
A clumpy, oily wax can form if there is a lot of oil or excessive heat has been used.
- Small Melt Pool
This is similar to tunneling, but it does not go down as deep and is a bit wider, but ultimately the wick is still too small for the size of the candle.
- Mushrooming Wick
This is when the wick goes black and curls around like a mushroom shape because of the carbon build-up.
- Cracks In The Surface Of The Wax
Cracks and lines can form on the surface of the wax due to air bubbles being trapped in the wax.
- Cloudy Wax
A cloudy-looking appearance in the wax can appear if too much moisture and the air gets into the wax during processing.
- Bubbles In The Wax
If too much air gets into the wax during processing, then air bubbles can also form in the wax.
- Holes In The Surface Of The Wax
Holes and cracks can arise on the surface of the candle near the wick due to air bubbles.
- Yellow Layer In The Bottom Of The Wax
A layer of yellow wax can be formed at the bottom of the candle due to too much fragrance being used, as it cannot bind with the wax.
If you notice your candle displaying any of these signs, then there may have been an incorrect measurement or mistake during the candle-making process.
Some causes of these issues can include too much fragrance being added and perhaps at the wrong temperature, the wax not being heated to the right temperature and poured at the correct time, poured to quickly, wax being stirred not enough or too vigorously, not pre-heating your glass vessel, using the wrong wick size and type and not giving it time to cool and set.
Cold And Hot Fragrance Throw
The term fragrance throw is used to describe the scent of the candle wax during different times. Hot throw is the term used to describe the scent and intensity of the candle while it is burning, while the cold throw is the term used to describe the scent and intensity of the candle while it is not lit, just sitting at room temperature.
A good quality candle should have both a great cold throw and a hot throw. People want to have a beautiful-smelling candle in their home, whether it is just on display on their table or whether it is being lit and used.
To ensure a candle has a good hot and cold throw, how the candle was made has a huge impact. You want to use a high-quality and phthalate-free fragrance oil and only use 6-10% per pound of soy wax. Add it at the correct temperature and don’t let the wax get too hot or else the fragrance can evaporate and burn away, therefore, releasing the power of the scent.
Make sure the fragrance oil is mixed well and be sure to use a wick that isn’t too short or thick. There are many factors that contribute to making a well scented candle that has a great hot and cold throw, so experiment and keep good notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Give My Soy Wax Candles A Stronger Smell?
To give your soy wax a stronger smell, you want to add the correct amount of fragrance oil to the wax at 180-185°F. You also want to use the appropriate wick and wick length and use the candle in an area that doesn’t have drafts.
How Do I Mix Fragrance With Wax?
You want to mix the fragrance oil with your wax slowly and gently, as this will support the oil blending into the wax fully. Mix for 3-5 minutes consistently using a spoon or specialty wax mixer.
What Happens If I Pour Soy Wax Too Hot?
If you pour your soy wax when it is too hot and has not cooled, this can cause the wax to separate and cause other deformities in its appearance. It can also affect the performance of the candle.
Final Words
If you add too much fragrance to soy wax, you can affect the appearance, safety, scent, and overall quality of the candle. If you have added too much fragrance to your soy wax, it would be best to start a new batch and use the correct amount of fragrance so you have a great end product.
