Lighting a candle is a wonderful way to relax and unwind after a long day. The warmth of the candle and its aromatic scent can really soothe your senses. This works especially well when you use essential oils with natural aromas that feel a lot cleaner and more grounding. Getting the right amount of oil is vital for the best results.
Knowing how much essential oil to add to candle is important. Adding too little will make the scent weak, while adding too much can waste oil and create safety risks. This guide explains the right amount to use, how to measure it, and why the strength of different oils matters.
How Much Essential Oil to Add to Candle: Safe and Proper Measurements
Essential oils are a lot more volatile than fragrance oils. You need to make sure you use the correct amount for your safety and the longevity of the scent. The most reliable way to measure these oils for candles is by calculating a percentage based on the total weight of the wax being used. For most candles, add essential oil at 4% to 6% of the total wax weight.
Why You Should Measure Essential Oil by Weight Instead of Drops
Essential oils can vary in density. For example, citrus oils will be a lot lighter than resinous oils like myrrh. If you measure by drops, the results will likely be inconsistent across different types of essential oils.
When buying essential oils for a candle, it’s a good idea to also get a digital kitchen scale. This helps you measure the oils accurately instead of guessing.
How the Strength of an Essential Oil Affects Candle Use
Some essential oils are stronger and should be used in smaller amounts. Strong oils include blue lotus, peppermint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, clove, and lemongrass. Keep these around 3% to 4% of the wax. Using too much can make the scent overpowering or affect how the candle burns.
For medium-strength essential oils such as lavender, rosemary, tea tree, and frankincense, use about 4 percent to 5 percent of the wax. Light and citrus oils like lemon and grapefruit need more, around 6 percent, because citrus scents fade faster in candles.
You can also blend your essential oils to create a much fuller, well-rounded scent. Using a mixture of lightweight oils with heavier scents can help anchor the aroma in the candle a lot better.
Safety Tips for Using Essential Oils in Candles
Essential oils are highly concentrated substances, so you need to be careful of a few factors:
- Don’t overload the oil. Using too much can cause smoking, uneven burning, wick clogging, and even fire hazards.
- Always check the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) guidelines and usage tips by the manufacturer. Some oils, like cinnamon or clove, might have strict usage limits because of their strength.
- Never add essential oils to a burning candle. This can create a serious fire hazard. Only add oils during the candle-making process.
Managing Expectations When Using Essential Oils in Candles
Remember that candles made with essential oils are not the same as heavily scented commercial candles made using synthetic fragrance oils. You’ll find their aroma to be a lot softer than a full-blown perfume. Don’t expect the essential oil candle to scent an entire house the way a commercial fragrance oil candle can.
These candles work better in smaller and calmer spaces. You can use them in your bedroom, bathroom, meditation area, or a cozy nook. That’ll help the natural scent spread in a contained area and keep it warm and smelling good for longer.
Knowing How Much Essential Oil to Add to Candle Makes a Massive Difference
If you’re a fan of natural ingredients and intentional scents, you’ll love the addition of essential oils in candle making.
You won’t get instant results, but if you focus on how much essential oil to add (remember: measure by weight and not drops!), you’ll have a wonderfully calming and balanced candle that you can light up for your relaxing moments.
