Why More and More People Are Looking for Gel Candles That Are Highly Scented
There was a time when it seemed like the only type of candle than lined the shelves of stores was the paraffin wax candle. This is the hard, usually fragrance-filled wax that you’ll find in popular candle stores like Yankee. While paraffin candles are still the most popular kind around, there are some other options that candle lovers are checking out and even switching to.
One of these types of candles is the gel candle. The most alluring thing about this fairly new kind of candle is probably its decorative nature – since objects can “float” in these candles, it opens doors for all kinds of decorative possibilities – beverages, fish bowls, etc. Another thing that’s great about them is the fact that they typically burn twice as long as paraffin candles do.
That’s part of the beauty of buying a gel candle that’s highly scented – since the candle burns longer, the scent will last longer. And ask any candle lover what the best part of burning candles is, and I’d say that the vast majority of them will tell you it’s their scent. There’s just something bordering on miraculous about lighting a candle and having your whole room filled with the scent of your choice. Combine their long-burning quality with their decorative appeal, and you can see why the popularity of gel candles is on the rise!
Scented gel candles are available in some retail stores, but can still be hard to find, unless you shop for them online. This is why many people have started making their own homemade scented gel candles. If you want to make your own highly scented gels, here are some important gel-candle-making tips:
Choose your gel wisely
For a strong-scented candle, you will want to look for a high polymer gel so that it can hold a high fragrance load (a high polymer gel will typically hold up to 5% fragrance, but just to be sure, check the instructions on the brand that you buy).
Choose the right fragrance
You can’t just use any candle fragrances with gel candles, you need to find fragrance specially made for making gel candles. The flash point of gel fragrance should be at least 170 degrees and it should be non-polar, this is very important, otherwise you may have a fire hazard on your hands. You will need to test the amount of fragrance, but for highly scented candles, a good starting place is somewhere between one-half and one ounce of fragrance oil per pound of gel.
If you are new to gel candle making, check out our gel candle making tutorial before you start.
When making any kind of candle, be sure to use safety precautions, and read the directions on the candle equipment you buy before starting. With candles, you need to have a candy thermometer to regulate the temperature. Make sure the temperature never goes over the recommended amount, so your supplies don’t ignite! It’s also recommended that you wear safety goggles when making candles.
For more information about scented gel candles, or to choose from related products, choose from one of the following links:
Scented Candles | Gel Candles
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