Based on the provided reference, for optimal scent throw and candle stability, it is advised to use 10% fragrance oil.
Understanding Fragrance Load in Candles
The "fragrance load" refers to the percentage of fragrance oil used in relation to the total candle mixture (wax plus oil). Getting this percentage right is crucial for both how well your candle smells when burning (scent throw) and the physical integrity of the candle.
Recommended Fragrance Oil Percentage
According to the reference, while most waxes can hold up to 12% fragrance oil, exceeding this limit can compromise the candle's stability. Therefore, to ensure a balance between strong scent throw and a stable candle, the recommended amount is 10% of the total candle weight.
How to Calculate Fragrance Oil Amount
The calculation is based on the total desired weight of your finished candle. The reference suggests calculating 10% of this total weight as the fragrance oil amount, with the remaining 90% being the wax.
Here’s how to calculate it using the reference's example:
- Determine your target total candle weight.
- Example: 100g (This is the weight of the wax plus the fragrance oil).
- Calculate the amount of fragrance oil needed.
- Fragrance Oil Weight = Target Total Weight * 10%
- Example: 100g * 0.10 = 10g
- Calculate the amount of wax needed.
- Wax Weight = Target Total Weight - Fragrance Oil Weight
- Example: 100g - 10g = 90g
So, for a 100g candle according to this method, you would use 90g of wax and 10g of fragrance oil.
Calculation Summary Table
Here is a quick guide based on the 10% recommendation for a few common total candle sizes:
| Target Total Candle Weight | Wax Needed | Fragrance Oil Needed (10%) |
|---|---|---|
| 100g | 90g | 10g |
| 200g | 180g | 20g |
| 500g | 450g | 50g |
Note: These calculations are based on achieving 10% fragrance oil as a percentage of the final total candle weight, as illustrated in the reference.
Why the Right Amount Matters
Using the correct fragrance load is essential for several reasons:
- Optimal Scent Throw: Too little oil results in a weak scent; too much might not fully bind with the wax.
- Candle Stability: Overloading wax with oil can make the wax soft, affect burn time, cause sweating (oil pooling on the surface), or even pose a safety hazard.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Using more oil than necessary is wasteful and expensive.
Adhering to the recommended 10% load helps achieve a well-performing, stable, and fragrant candle.
