How to Make Essential Oil Candles the Right Way (2024)

If you have made essential oil candles before you probably experienced one or more of these scenarios:

• The essential oils smelled super strong when you added them to the melted candle wax, but then when they cured the scent was faint
• Your homemade essential oil candle smells great when you give it a whiff, but when you light the candle the scent is gone
• The essential oil blend you chose smells amazing in your diffuser but it doesn’t have the same effect in the candle you made

#1 Use Strong Scented Essential Oils

This may go without saying, but if you want to make essential oil candles that smell stronger, start by choosing oils that have a strong scent. Top note essential oils historically used in perfume making have a very noticeable scent. Think lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, lavender, or grapefruit.

Although truth be told, the best essential oil blends for candles include a top, middle, and base note for an infusion of candle scent that releases a blend of scents as your candle burns.

I share the best blend of essential oils for candles here including these in printable charts from the Oily Chic Libary!

#2 Choose A Slow-Burning Wax

While it’s important to think about potential health risks when choosing a candle wax it’s also good to consider how well the wax holds scent. This is especially the case when it comes to how to make essential oil candles smell stronger.

Choosing a candle wax such as beeswax or soy will cause the candle to burn more slowly. This allows a candle to retain scents longer and slowly release scent into the air when lit. Adding up to a candle that smells stronger and lasts longer. A win-win, if you ask me!

#3 Use the Right Amount of Essential Oils

Take time to do the math…

Not using the right amount of essential oils in a candle is one of the biggest candle mistakes. Add too little and you won’t have a noticeable scent. Add too much and your candle won’t stay lit, among other issues.

So, how do you measure essential oils for candles?

Rather you’re trying to measure essential oils for candles or trying to calculate how much essential oil you should buy for a DIY – you need an essential oil conversion chart!

Beginning with a chart for how much essential oils are in a bottle:

5ml bottle = 100 drops = 1 tsp

15 ml bottle = 300 drops = 1/2 oz

30 ml bottle = 600 drops = 1 oz

#4 Keep Your Candles Covered

This is the easiest solution to helping your homemade candles hold their scent. Candle scents fade over time. This is true for all candles! To help your candles hang on to their scent longer cover them with a lid or glass cloche in between use. I love these colorful candle tins that come with lids!

Essential Oil Candle Supplies:

• 1 digital scale
• 1 candle thermometer
• 2 centering devices
• 1 candle melting pitcher
• 2 heat-safe 12-ounce glass jars
• 1.125 lbs soy candle wax
• 2 cotton wicks
• 2 wick sticker tabs
• 1.25 ounces essential oils

1. Measure Wax and Place Wicks

Use a digital scale to measure 1.125 pounds of soy wax flakes. (Using a different size candle container? Use a candle calculator to figure out how much wax you’ll need.) Then adhere the metal tab of a cotton wick to a wick sticker tab. Carefully center the wick in the bottom of a glass jar and firmly press to adhere. Repeat for the second candle.

2. Melt Wax

Pour the soy wax into a candle-melting pitcher to safely melt wax. Place the pitcher filled with wax inside a large saucepan filled with about 2 inches of water. Using the double boiler method, heat on medium to low heat. Slowly stir often with a heat-resistant silicone spatula.

3. Cool & Scent Wax

Remove the pitcher from the heat after melting. Then clip a candle thermometer inside of the pitcher.

Allow the temperature of the wax to cool to 125°F before adding 1.25 ounces of essential oils. After slowly stir for a constant 1 to 2 minutes to thoroughly incorporate.

4. Pour Scented Wax

Last, gently pour your scented wax into each prepared glass jar. Place an optional centering device over each wick to help keep them straight during the curing process.

How soon can you light your homemade candle?

Allow the candle wax to cure for a minimum of 24 hours before lighting. For stronger-smelling candles wait 3 to 7 days! And make sure to trim the wick to ¼ of an inch before lighting.

MORE ESSENTIAL OIL DIYS:

• How to Use Wool Dryer Balls with Essential Oils
• Essential Oil Massage Candle Recipe
• Essential Oil Fall Diffuser Blends
• Fall Essential Oil Room Sprays
• Essential Oil Room Spray Recipe