Do you love the smell of candles but find that they don’t always smell as strong as you would like them to? This can be a bit frustrating, but luckily, there are some things that you can do to enhance the candle fragrance and make your candles smell stronger. This blog post will discuss three ways to improve candle fragrance and make your candles smell stronger. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Why does my candle not smell strong?
There are a few reasons your candles might not live up to their fragrance potential. When it comes to candles, you need to understand three terms when it comes to scent.
Scent Throw is the term describing the strength of the scent given off by the candle within a given distance from the candle.
Hot Throw describes the strength of the scent when a candle is lit within a given distance.
Cold Throw is the term given to the strength of the scent produced by a candle that is not lit within a given distance.
In all cases, the hot throw of a candle is greater than the cold throw. Often the cold throw of a candle indicates the hot throw.
1. Wrong Wick Length
If your wick is too short, it won’t be able to draw up enough of the candle wax, and as a result, your candle will produce less fragrance. This is due to the flame being too small. When a flame on a candle is too small, it will not produce the correct heat throw required to melt the candle surface. As the melted wax releases the fragrance into the air, the smaller the flame, the longer it will take to produce the required scent throw.
Likewise, if your wick is too long, it will produce a large flame that can cause the candle to smoke. A candle that smokes will impact the fragrance being given off by providing an unpleasant smell.
2. Not Letting Your Candle Burn Long Enough
Another reason your candle might not smell as strong as you would like is that you’re not letting it burn long enough. When you first light a candle, the initial candle burn is known as the memory burn. This candle burn is significant because it allows the candle wax to melt evenly across the entire surface.
If you don’t allow the candle to burn long enough during the memory burn, the candle wax will begin to tunnel. Only the wax around the wick will be melted when this happens, and the candle wax further out will remain solid. This can cause your candle to produce less fragrance because the candle wax is not melted evenly, limiting the amount of fragrance that can be released.
3. The Candle Is Too Small for the Room
The size of the candle also plays a role in how strong the candle smell will be. If the candle is too small for the room, the fragrance will be diffused and won’t be as strong. Conversely, the scent might be overwhelming if the candle is too large for the room. Finding the right candle size for the room is key to getting the perfect candle smell.
4. Burning Your Candle Too Much
While it might seem counterintuitive, you can burn your candle too much. If you allow your candle to burn for more than four hours at a time, the candle wax will begin to evaporate. This can cause your candle to lose some of its fragrance.
5. Not Enough Fragrance Oil
Another reason your candle might not smell as strong as you would like is that there isn’t enough fragrance oil in the candle wax. When candles are made, the fragrance oil is added to the melted wax. The amount of fragrance oil added to the wax will determine how strong the candle smells. If a candle doesn’t have enough fragrance oil, it will be difficult to smell the candle when you burn it.
6. The Fragrance Oil was Added at the Incorrect Temperature
The temperature at which the fragrance oil is added to the candle wax can also impact how strong the candle smells. Some fragrance oil will evaporate if the fragrance oil is added when the wax is too hot. This can cause the candle to smell weaker than if the fragrance oil was added at the correct temperature.
7. The Candle Was Stored Incorrectly
Another reason your candle might not smell as strong as it should is that it wasn’t stored correctly. Candles should be stored in a cool, dark place. If stored in a warm or sunny place, the heat can cause the candle wax to soften and the fragrance oil to evaporate. This will make the candle smell weaker. The optimum temperature is 85 degrees Celcius / 185 degrees Fahrenheit.
It would help if you also read the label on the fragrance oil and the wax you are making the candle with. These will provide guidelines on the flashpoint of your wax and fragrance oil, ensuring that your ingredients do not get too hot. Flashpoint is the temperature at which your wax or fragrance oil will ignite. You need to check this information and the guidance on optimum usage temperatures. Not all fragrance oils and waxes are made equal!
8. Wax Type Can Affect Scent Throw
The type of wax that is used to make a candle can also impact the candle’s fragrance. For example, soy wax candles typically have a stronger scent than paraffin. This is because soy wax has a lower melting point than paraffin wax. As a result, soy wax candles will release their fragrance more readily than paraffin wax candles.
Now that we’ve discussed why your candle might not smell as strong as you would like let’s talk about how to make your candles smell stronger.
How to make homemade candles smell stronger?
There are a few things that you can do to make your candles smell stronger.
1. Add the Fragrance Oil at the Correct Temperature
Adding the fragrance oil at the correct temperature is key to ensuring that your candle has a strong smell. The ideal temperature to add fragrance oil is between 185 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that the fragrance oil is thoroughly dispersed in the wax and doesn’t evaporate. Ensure that you read the label of your specific candle-making components.
2. Add More Fragrance Oil
If your candle doesn’t smell as strong as you would like, you can try adding more fragrance oil to the melted wax. The amount of fragrance oil you should add will depend on the type of wax that you are using. For example, if you are using soy wax, you can add up to 12% fragrance oil. Using paraffin wax, you can add up to 15% fragrance oil.
3. Use a Stronger Scented Fragrance Oil
If you want your candle to have a stronger smell, you can try using a more vital scented fragrance oil. Some fragrance oils are stronger than others. For example, if you use a citrus-scented fragrance oil, you can try using a more concentrated citrus scent. You can also try using a different type of fragrance oil altogether. For example, if you use a floral-scented fragrance oil, you can try using a more potent floral scent or a different type of floral scent.
4. Properly Cure Your Candle
Once you’ve made your candle, it’s important to cure it properly. Curing allows your candle to sit for some time so that the fragrance oil can fully disperse in the wax. The amount of time you should cure your candle will depend on the type of wax that you are using. For example, soy wax candles should be cured for at least 24 hours. Paraffin wax candles should be cured for at least 48 hours.
All candle waxes and fragrance oils are made differently, so you must follow the instructions on the label of your components.
5. Choose the correct wick for your wax
The wick you choose for your candle can also impact the candle’s fragrance. For example, if you use a soy wax candle, you should use a cotton wick. Cotton wicks are known to absorb fragrance oil better than other types of wicks. If you use a paraffin wax candle, you can use any wick. You will want to test various wicks with your candle components to see which combinations provide the desired scent.
How to make store-bought candles smell stronger?
There are a few things that you can do to make store-bought candles smell stronger.
1. Ensure the correct wick length
The length of the wick can impact how strong the candle smells. If the candle’s wick is too short, the candle will not burn properly, and the fragrance will not be released. If the candle’s wick is too long, the candle will burn too quickly, and the scent will not be released. The ideal wick length for a candle is about ¼ inch.
2. Trim the wick before each use
Before you light your candle, you should always trim the wick to ¼ inch. The correct wick length for your candle can be found by trimming the wick to approximately ¼ of an inch before each burn. This will help ensure that your candle flame is not too small or too large.
3. Keep the candle clean
It’s essential to keep your candle clean. The build-up of soot on the candle can impact the fragrance. It would help if you wiped down the candle with a clean, dry cloth before each use.
4. Memory Burn
When you first light your candle, you should allow it to burn for a few hours. This is called a memory burn. The purpose of the memory burn is to allow the candle to create a “memory” of the correct wick length. The memory burn will help ensure that your candle burns evenly and that the fragrance is released correctly.
Allow your candle to burn for at least two hours during the first burn. This will give the candle wax enough time to melt evenly and allow the candle to produce a strong fragrance.
5. Burn the candle for the correct amount of time
It would help if you only burned your candle for a few hours at a time. The fragrance will be overwhelming if you burn your candle for too long. If you only burn your candle for a short time, the candle will not have enough time to release the fragrance. The ideal burn time for a candle is between two and four hours.
6. Use a candle topper
A candle topper is a great way to ensure that your candle burns evenly and that the fragrance is released correctly. A candle topper helps to direct the candle’s flame and allows the scent to be released evenly.
Most candle toppers are made of glass or metal. You can find candle toppers at most craft stores.
How to make wax melts smell stronger?
There are a few things that you can do to make wax melts smell stronger.
Use the correct wax
The amount of wax you use can impact how strong the wax melts smell. If you use too much wax, the fragrance will be overwhelming. If you use too little wax, the candle will not have enough time to release the fragrance. The ideal amount of wax to use is between two and four ounces.
Use a candle warmer
A candle warmer is a great way to ensure that your wax melts evenly and that the fragrance is released correctly. A candle warmer helps direct the candle’s flame and release the scent evenly.
Add your fragrance to the correct temperature.
Adding your fragrance to the wax when it’s too hot can cause the fragrance to evaporate. Adding your fragrance to the wax when it’s too cold can cause the fragrance to be weak. The ideal temperature to add your fragrance is 185 degrees Fahrenheit.
Please also check our section on making your candles smell stronger above, as these will also support you in getting the desired smell for your wax melts.
Does the type of wax affect the scent strength of a candle?
The type of wax you use can impact how strong the candle smells. For example, soy wax and beeswax candles have a weaker scent than paraffin candles. If you are looking for a strong candle scent, paraffin will produce a stronger scent throw – however, some research is available that brings to light the toxicity of paraffin. The research, however, is limited and not conclusive.
If you happen to be someone that wants to learn more about toxins in candles, hold up for just a minute. We wrote an article about non-toxic candles that we encourage you to read!
What is the best candle fragrance oil to use?
The best candle fragrance oil to use is dependent on your personal preference. If you are looking for a strong candle scent, we recommend using fragrance oil with a high concentration of fragrance.
You can also add essential oils to your candle to make it smell stronger. Adding essential oils to your candle will also provide you with the benefits of the essential oil.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! Three ways to make your candles smell stronger. We hope you found this blog post helpful and can use these tips to enhance your candle fragrance. Thanks for reading! Candle toppers are made of different materials, so you can choose one that best suits your needs.
So, there you have it!
