Adding fragrances to candles can create inviting and calming scents, but it requires accurate measurements. Carefully calculate the fragrance load to avoid an underwhelming or overpowering scent. The amount of fragrance can also impact wax and burn quality. You can use conventional formulas created by professional candlemakers and purchase wholesale candle supplies to practice and perfect your candles.
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What Is Candle Fragrance Load?
If you’re making candles for the first time, fragrance load and content are two terms you must understand. Fragrance load indicates the percentage of fragrance needed for the formula. The percentage is expressed in correlation to the weight and type of wax used in the product. Fragrance load is always presented as a percentage, and you can choose any percentage, depending on your desired candle outcome. The type of wax you use can also determine your fragrance percentage. Candlemakers have a wide range of fragrance and wax options to choose from. Each fragrance has unique physical properties, including color, density, and flash point. Consider these factors when calculating the ideal fragrance load for your candles.
How Do You Calculate Fragrance Load?
Fragrance load calculations are based on the weight of the fragrance oil and the wax. Before calculating the ideal load, determine the weight of the liquid wax in your jar. You can measure the wax’s weight in ounces or grams. Some people make the mistake of measuring the volume or water capacity of the candle container. Because of the weight and density differences between water and wax, this creates inaccurate calculations. Once you have determined the desired wax weight for your candles, you can calculate the fragrance load percentage by applying the standard formula.
If you choose a fragrance load of 5% and have a wax weight of 400 grams, you can calculate the needed fragrance oil weight by dividing the load by 100. Then you multiply the result by the wax weight. The calculation looks like this: (fragrance load/100) x wax weight = fragrance oil weight
With the hypothetical figures above, your fragrance oil weight formula will be (5/100) x 400. This comes out to 20 grams of fragrance oil. You can use the same scale to measure the wax and the fragrance oil. If you’re new to making fragranced candles, try experimenting with different percentages, weights, and waxes to determine your ideal combinations. Consider shopping for wholesale candle supplies to stay stocked on the essentials during your experiments.
What Happens if the Calculations Are Wrong?
Experimenting can help you perfect your calculations to produce high-quality products that smell great. You can always make adjustments until you find the best ratios, but here are a few things that can happen if your candles have incorrect measurements:
- Wick overload: This occurs when your handles have too much wax. The wick can get buried or lost in the wick and can’t hold a flame.
- Candle tunneling: An error in the fragrance formula may impact the wax quality. This can cause your candles to burn unevenly and form interior tunnels.
- Poor hot throw: This occurs when the wax quality deteriorates or the fragrance load is too low. It can result in poor burn quality and reduced fragrance throw while the candle is lit.
- Dry wax: Too much fragrance can result in dry, lumpy wax that looks unprofessional and burns poorly.
If you are experiencing any of the above issues, consider adjusting your fragrance load. Go back to the standard formula to establish a solid fragrance baseline that you can experiment with. You can also try different wax types and fragrance combinations without changing the percentages to compare the outcomes.
Purchase Wholesale Candle Supplies
Candlemaking can be a profitable venture that you can start from home or another small space. If you’re new to making candles, consider purchasing different types of waxes and fragrances in bulk. This can give you the freedom to experiment, develop your style, and create a variety of customized candles.
Purchasing wholesale candle supplies can be an affordable option that allows you to create multiple batches without restocking. When purchasing candle supplies, look for a supplier that carries a range of high-quality fragrances, waxes, containers, and other equipment. Find a reputable supplier and start creating your fragranced candles today.
