There are a number of things that are positively intriguing about candles, and their scent is one of the most important of those things. In this present day and age, people no longer purchase candles solely for light, so it is important to know how to make them smell stronger (because the fragrance of scented candles is now one of the leading reasons for candle purchase, across the globe). A lot of candle lovers will refuse to buy scented candles if they do not have sufficient cold throw (i.e. if they do not smell strongly enough, before they are lit).
HOW TO KNOW IF A CANDLE SMELLS STRONGLY, BEFORE PURCHASE
When it comes to determining how strong a will smell before you make the decision to buy it, there are a number of factors to consider. For some candle lovers, this process is fairly simple and it involves no more than bringing the candle close to their nose and sniffing it. This process is the easiest way to evaluate a candle’s cold throw; which is basically a determinant of its ability to evaporate the fragrance which is responsible for its top notes (a candle’s top note is the first wave of scents that is given off as soon as it is lit. The aromatic compounds responsible for this layer of fragrance in scented candle can be ascribed to the most volatile components that make up its scent profile). The middle notes and bottom notes of the candle tend to come in much later, during its lifespan. This is because the more a candle is burned, the faster the volatile components that make up its scent evaporate. The most volatile ones are emitted first and this trend continues until the most stable scent components are given off. Due to this reason, it is entirely possible for the same candle to give off different kinds of scents at different points in time (because it would have different top notes, middle notes and bottom notes).
However, if you do not wish to rely on your nose to judge the strength of your scented candle before you buy it, here are some other factors you can look out for:
- The type of wax used in making the candle
There is a general rule of thumb when it comes it candle making, which states that the kind of candle wax used in making a candle can affect its scent profile. This is true because different types of candle waxes interact differently with different kinds of scents.
As a matter of fact, in many cases, it isn’t even that complicated. It’s simply a matter of realizing that some candle waxes absorb – and emit – fragrance better than others. This is why some candle makers prefer such waxes more than others. Examples of these kinds of candle waxes include paraffin wax (a petroleum-based wax that is currently used the most in candle making, all across the world; because it is easy to work with and absorbs fragrance easily, without giving off during storage). Paraffin wax has a reputation for being the best kind of candle wax for making scented candles, all across the world. Its cold throw is nothing to sneeze at (pun intended), it has a solid structure that is highly stable under different conditions, and its hot throw also happens to be the best, as far as candle waxes are concerned.
When it comes to the ability to hold – and give off – fragrance easily, no other wax can hold a candle to paraffin wax; not even natural waxes such as beeswax or soy wax, which lose fragrance easily.
- The brand you buy
Reputation plays a very important role in the competitive world of candle making. More often than not, you can’t go wrong with reputable scented candle brands (e.g. Diptyque, Yankee Candles, WoodWick candles and so many others), who have proven themselves to be absolute pros in the act of candle making, over the course of several years.
But this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t support new or local brands as well. You should always be willing to give things a try, but a reliable recommendation from a friend or personal knowledge of the brand goes a long way in helping you choose the right type of scented candle to buy (i.e. the one with a very strong fragrance).
HOW TO MAKE ESSENTIAL OIL CANDLES SMELL STRONGER
If you’re interested in making your own candles (and even if you’re not), it is important to know how to make essential oil candles smell stronger. You can do this in the following ways:
- Always add in your fragrance at the appropriate temperature
Temperature is an essential factor when it comes to preserving the scent of essential oil candles. This is because when fragrance is added into the melted candle wax at very high temperatures, a lot of its volatile aromatic components tend to evaporate away. At the same time, when the temperature is too low when the essential oil is added in, it will not be able to circulate into the wax efficiently, because it would have begun to solidify.
Experts recommend that candle makers should add in their fragrance at the ideal temperature of 185 ºF, in order to obtain adequate results and create candles that smell stronger.
- Use the right quantity of fragrance
When making scented candles, it is very important to use the right quantity of fragrance (in the form of essential oil). This is because the candle’s scent will not be too strong, if the quantity of the essential oil added is too small and vice versa (i.e. the candle’s scent will be strong when higher amounts of essential oil are added).
- Store your candles at the right temperature
When candles are stored at the right temperature, they essential oil used in making them maintains its integrity, in terms of fragrance. When the temperature they are stored at is too high, the heat tends to vaporize the components that make up their scent. This is why some people freeze their essential oil candles to preserve their scent and make them smell stronger.
