How to Add a Scent to an Unscented Candle

Create more visual ambience with candles.

Scented candles are an effective way to add a light, warm perfume to your living space while enjoying the natural glow and flicker of real flame. If your favorite candles are unscented, or if your favorite scents come in the form of bottled oils or smells not often found in candle form, you can quickly and easily add scent to any large candle or candle contained within a jar or cup.

Things You'll Need

• Large candle in jar or tin
• Matches or lighter
• Essential oil
• Toothpick

Instructions

1. Light the candle. Let it burn for about a half hour, or until there's a good couple inches worth of melted wax sitting at the top of the candle.

2. Draw some essential oil into an eye dropper (if your oil doesn't come with a dropper or drip-pouring lid).

3. Drip some oil into the melted wax of the candle. Start with just three or four drops to begin, especially if you have a particularly potent bottle of oil or if it happens to be a strong fragrance.

4. Stir the melted candle wax using a toothpick. Start at the point where you placed the drops of oil and widen the stirring circle outward until you've mixed the oil as evenly with the rest of the melted wax as you can.

5. Sniff the candle mixture to test the concentration of the oil and its ratio to the candle wax. The smell should be easily detectable within a few inches, and lightly detectable in the room when the candle is burning. If it's not strong enough, add more oil.