Candles are one of the oldest inventions known to man and, surprisingly enough, the concept of candles has far outlived the usefulness of many of mankind’s other earliest inventions. This is because candles have constantly evolved with time. Over millennia, they have evolved primarily in terms of their most essential uses (i.e. from lighting to aesthetics), and also in terms of the types and kinds of materials used in making them. The demand of candles for illumination may have reduced greatly since the early 19th century, when the light bulb was invented, however candles are still very much in use.
THE USES OF CANDLES IN THIS MODERN AGE
Recent years have seen a significant shift in the use – or rather – the need for candles. One of these uses reveals itself in the area of aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is a type of treatment which involves the inhalation of scents from natural oils and plant extracts. It is believed that aromatherapy helps in the treatment of several disorders including insomnia and anxiety. It also helps to relieve stress. Aromatherapy has been around for millennia in one capacity or another, however in recent centuries, candles have begun to play an essential role in this renowned practice. Scented candles are candles with waxes – and at times, wicks – that have been infused with fragrances and perfumes gotten from essential oils and other fragrant sources. The burning of scented candles results in the emission of those fragrances along with vapors, droplets and other kinds of gases which are usually given off from candles.
Candles are also used for other aesthetical purposes asides aromatherapy. They are used to set the mood for intimate affairs such as candlelight dinners. They can also be used for illumination or lighting and to provide warmth, although the latter will involve the use of a considerable amount of candles, because each candle can only provide a limited amount of warmth for a limited amount of time.
Due to these reasons, candles are still in use despite all the technological advances that have taken place in the world since they were first invented thousands of years ago. Perhaps, because of the inherent aesthetic power that has now been accorded to candles, there is a unique kind of focus that people place of handmade candles.
WHY DO PEOPLE LIKE HOMEMADE CANDLES?
Homemade candles are a type of candles that have been created in the comfort of peoples’ homes, usually with the aid of simple and uncomplicated materials and tools. Homemade candles are usually hand-made and unique. Only a few are usually produced at a time since very few people are usually involved in the manufacturing process and the production is usually done on a small scale. Although, homemade candles may not be as fancy or tidy as factory-made candles, they are usually preferred in certain circle. The reason for this is that many people tend to assume that factory-made candles sometimes contain harmful chemicals which can lead to illnesses such as lung diseases and worsening of the symptoms of asthma (even though many of these claims have never been medically proven). By contrast, may people usually believe that homemade candles are much safer than factory-made candles in terms of the claimed – and largely unproven – harmful effects of the chemicals released along with the smoke and vapors emitted when the candle burns.
Another reason why people like homemade candles is that candle-making is an act that is therapeutic in itself. The act of making and melting the wax, inserting the wick and leaving it to solidify in suitable containers, in order to make candles, is something that many people find soothing and calming. Not only that but as homemade candles are usually used directly by their manufacturers, they may have a much better knowledge of the exact components used in creating the candles. This may be particularly handy in the case of individuals who are allergic to common materials used in the production of industrially produced candles. Also, custom candles may be appealing to avid candle enthusiasts and so they may prefer to make their own candles.
HOW DO YOU MAKE HOMEMADE CANDLES SMELL STRONGER
While there are several great points to homemade candles, there are also many potential disadvantages. One of these disadvantages is the fact that homemade scented candles have a tendency to give off weak fragrances. This means that the scent of the candles may not be strong enough to be perceived, particularly as compared with the efficiency of industrially-made scented candles. There are a few ways of reducing this tendency and improving the scents of homemade candles. These methods include:
- Lowering the temperature at which the fragrance is added
Scented candles are usually prepared by adding fragrance to the melted candle wax, before it solidifies. However, if the temperature of the melted wax is too high when the fragrance is being added, some of the fragrance may burn off. Thus giving rise to scented candles with very weak scents.
- Adding the required quantity of fragrance to the wax
It is very important to add the right quantity of fragrance to the melted candle-wax, during the production of homemade candles. This can be done by paying special attention to the type of wax used, as each type of wax requires a different quantity of fragrance in order to produce scented candles of high quality. Another important thing is to pay close attention to the measurement process. Scales and measuring cylinders should be used to measure the quantity of fragrance required for each kind of scented candles. Measurement with the use of cups and spoons, however, is not ideal.
- Stirring the fragrance well
Sometimes, it is not the temperature or the quantity of the fragrance that weakens the scent of homemade candles. Sometimes, it is simply the fact that the fragrance was not stirred well into the melted wax. When this happens, the scent released by the burning candle may not be even as it may be stronger during some periods and weaker in others. To prevent this, the fragrance must be stirred well into the melted wax.
