How Are Scented Candles Made?

Starting From Scratch

Once those are chosen, then the wax is melted in a double boiler. Then it is allowed to cool. Before it is completely cooled, yet still liquid, the scent is mixed in. The candle solution is then poured into the mold and allowed to cool.

Prefabricated Candles

When the candle is a premade one, then the challenge is inserting the scent into the candle. This can be done by making holes in the candle with a heated ice pick. If it's a small candle, a large heated needle can be used. A hot padded glove can be used to hold hot "points." These are inserted along the sides of the candle as far in as the wick.

The scent is added to the holes. Then a hot knife can be used to seal up the opening by melting the wax surrounding the holes and smoothing it over the openings.

Plant Life as Scent

Plants for scent are added while the wax is in the cooling process. The wax is not completely melted so that he plants won't sink to the bottom. The idea is to have the plants distributed throughout the candle. The wax from bayberries is used for candles, but the leaves and stems can be incorporated into a candle.

Rolled Candles

Sheets of wax, like with beeswax, can have solid scent shavings scattered along the flat sheet. The wick is added. The sheet of wax is carefully rolled up and sealed. The sealing can be done with a hot knife that is run along the closing edge and then flat pressed against the candle.

A premade candle can be used by scenting a sheet of beeswax. First, the beeswax is melted and scent is added to it. Then the beeswax sheet is wrapped around the premade candle. With this type of candle, the scent will mainly be more like the effect of potpourri. The inner warm candle will heat the outside wax and so give off scent.

Resources

• National Candle Association