The primary way to add oil to wax, particularly when making candles, is to slowly pour the fragrance oil into the melted wax and gently stir until it is thoroughly combined.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
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Melt the Wax: Begin by melting your chosen wax (e.g., soy wax, paraffin wax) using a double boiler or a wax melting pot. Follow the wax manufacturer's instructions for the correct melting temperature.
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Cool the Wax Slightly: Allow the melted wax to cool slightly before adding the fragrance oil. Adding fragrance oil to wax that is too hot can cause the fragrance to dissipate or burn off, reducing the scent throw of your final product. The optimal temperature for adding fragrance oil varies depending on the type of wax you're using, so consult your wax manufacturer's recommendations.
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Measure the Fragrance Oil: Determine the appropriate amount of fragrance oil to add based on the fragrance load capacity of your wax. A common starting point is around 1 ounce of fragrance oil per pound of wax. However, some waxes can hold more fragrance, while others can hold less. Refer to the fragrance oil and wax manufacturer's guidelines for specific ratios.
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Slowly Pour and Stir: Gently pour the measured fragrance oil into the melted wax. Slowly stir the mixture for approximately 2 minutes (or as recommended by your wax/fragrance oil instructions) to ensure that the fragrance oil is fully incorporated into the wax. Avoid vigorous stirring, as this can introduce air bubbles.
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Pour or Mold: Once the fragrance oil is fully mixed in, you can pour the scented wax into your desired containers (e.g., candle jars, molds).
Important Considerations:
- Fragrance Load: Always check the maximum fragrance load recommended for your specific wax. Exceeding this can lead to oil separation and other issues.
- Flash Point: Consider the flash point of your fragrance oil. This is the temperature at which the oil can ignite. Avoid overheating the wax beyond the fragrance oil's flash point to prevent burning or degradation of the scent.
- Testing: It's recommended to perform small test batches to determine the optimal fragrance load and to ensure that the scent throw is satisfactory.
