Fragrance Oils FAQ
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about fragrance oils.
Q: How much fragrance oil should I use when making candles?
A: The waxes that we carry will hold varying amounts of fragrance. It could range from 0.5 – 2 ounces of fragrance per pound of wax. Paraffin votive and pillar waxes will usually hold a maximum of 1 ounce per pound, and single-pour paraffin container waxes can usually hold as much as 1.5 ounces of fragrance per pound. For soy candles, the amount will vary between 1 - 2 ounces of fragrance per pound of wax. The wax can only absorb a certain amount of fragrance oil, so make sure to check you are not exceeding the recommended amount. The recommended maximum usage levels for each of our waxes can be found in the Intro. to Candle Waxes section of our Candle Making University.
Q: I'm not getting much of a scent throw from my candles. What am I doing wrong?
A: There are many variables that can cause a candle to not have a good scent throw when the candle is burning. Some of these factors include how much fragrance you use in making the candle, the temperature at which the fragrance is added, the size of the wick, what type of wax you are using, too much dye in the candle, etc. Our fragrance oils are high-quality oils and most likely the problem is with one or several of these factors. It is always very important to do test burns when you try something new.
Q: Where can I find pricing information for your fragrance oils?
A: The pricing information for the fragrance oils can be found on the individual fragrance oil pages. Pricing on fragrances will vary depending on the fragrance and the size bottle you order.
Q: Why do your fragrance oil prices vary?
A: The prices of the fragrances are based on the materials used to create them. Some of the raw materials are more expensive than others, so that is reflected in the price of the individual fragrance. The fragrances that are more expensive cost more to produce.
Q: Can I change the name of my fragrance when I label my finished candle?
A: You are able to change the name of the fragrance if you wish. Some fragrances may be widely known by a certain name, so they may be more easily recognized if you leave the names the same. Also, it may be easy to forget what the original name might have been, so if you do change the name make sure to keep a master list of the fragrances that you have used and the names that you have changed them to so you are able to reorder the fragrance when it is time.
Q: What does "type" mean when it appears by a fragrance oil name?
A: "Type" appearing by the fragrance name simply indicates that it is a duplicate of a trademarked fragrance name. If you use the name as it appears on the bottle, make sure you include "type" to indicate it is not the original.
Q: Do your fragrance oils have a shelf life?
A: Fragrance oils will last up to a year or longer if they are not exposed to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight. If the fragrance has gone bad, you are usually able to tell that the smell is different. If you are unsure if a fragrance is still okay to use, you can always test a small sample before making a large batch.
Q: My fragrance oil bottle is caved in some on the sides. What is wrong?
A: There is nothing wrong with the fragrance when the sides of the bottle are caved in a little. This is called paneling, and it is a reaction that the plastic has with the fragrance oil that causes air to escape. We have our bottles specially treated to help prevent this, but unfortunately, it can still happen. The fragrances with a citrus smell are most likely to have this problem.
Q: Can your fragrances be used in reed diffusers?
A: Our fragrances can be used in reed diffusers. You will need to mix the fragrances with a reed diffuser base; you should not use pure fragrance oil in them. (The diffuser base helps the fragrance travel up the reed.)
Q: Are your fragrance oils safe to use in oil burners?
A: Because our fragrances have not been tested for that use, we will have to say they are not safe to use in that manner.
Q: Do you accept returns on fragrance oils?
A: We accept returns on fragrance oils as long as the foiled seal has not been broken and it has been within 30 days of purchase. For sanitary reasons, we are unable to accept returns on fragrance oils in which the foiled seal has been broken. Once the fragrances have left our facility and have been opened, we can no longer guarantee that they have not been diluted or altered, therefore, we would be unable to resell them. This policy is in place to protect the quality of our products and ensure the fragrances you receive are safe, sanitary, and have never been altered in any way.
Q: Will your fragrances affect the color of the candle?
A: It is best if you add the fragrance first, and then add the dye because it can change the color slightly. If you are not adding dye to your candles, you will want to use our Whitening Powder to help counteract any discoloration from the fragrance oils.
Q: Are your fragrances body safe?
A: Most of our fragrances are soap safe, but you will need to check each individually. This information can be found on the individual fragrance page in the description box or you can click on the "technical information" tab and view the PDF version of the IFRA certification.
Q: Do I need to dilute the fragrances for candle-making?
A: No. You do not have to dilute the fragrance oils before adding them to the wax.
Q: Are your fragrances safe for gel candles?
A: There are many of our fragrances that are gel compatible. Fragrances that are indicated as gel compatible are compatible with Penreco Versagel. It is important to realize that many of our fragrances may contain just a slight amount of a "polar" ingredient which would cause them to be listed as not gel safe when, in reality, the fragrance may mix into gel. The bottom line is to test for yourself to find out which ones work for you. See if your favorite fragrance is gel compatible by browsing our Gel Compatible category.
Q: What does "flash point" mean?
A: Flash point is the temperature at which a fragrance can ignite when it comes in contact with an ignition source such as an open flame or a spark. It is still perfectly safe to heat a fragrance higher than its flash point, provided there is no ignition source. Flash point is very important when using fragrances in gel candles. Most gel manufacturers recommend using a non-polar fragrance with a flash point of at least 170° F. You can find the flash point of each fragrance listed on the individual fragrance oil page.
Q: Do you have MSDS information available for your fragrance oils?
A: The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each fragrance is available on the individual fragrance oil page under the "technical information" tab.
Q: Do you test your fragrance oils on animals?
A: None of our fragrance oils as a whole are tested on animals, nor do our manufacturers test any of the raw materials on animals. However, it's important to note that some raw materials or ingredients used in the fragrance industry may have been tested on animals at some point in time. This testing is typically conducted by regulatory agencies or governing bodies to meet safety and compliance standards.
Q: Are your fragrances essential oils?
A: While some of our fragrance oils contain natural ingredients, the fragrances that we carry are classified as synthetic or man made. Essential oils are extracted from plant material and, for that reason, are usually much more expensive.
Q: Why isn't my fragrance oil bottle completely full or seem to have different amounts in each bottle depending on the fragrance?
A: Our fragrance bottles are filled by weight, not volume. Because the densities of the fragrances are different, the fill levels in the bottles will vary as well. The fruity and floral fragrances will tend to have higher fill levels because they are less dense. Fragrances that have a vanilla, cinnamon or nutty smell will tend to have a lower fill level because they are usually more dense. Even though the fragrances have different densities, all will contain the same amount of fragrance by weight.
Q: What are your most popular fragrances?
A: Fragrance popularity will vary throughout the year depending on the season. Our fragrances are conveniently categorized many different ways to help in the selection process. You can also find a current list of our top sellers on the homepage.
Q: Can I mix fragrance oils to make new scents?
A: You can mix fragrances to create new smells. If you are using gel or body products, be sure that any scents that are being combined are safe. It is also a good idea to mix a small sample before combining a large amount of oil in case the fragrances do not smell good together. You can find a list of some of our fragrance recipes in the Candle Making University and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see a new fragrance recipe each week!
Q: What is meant by "double or triple scenting" a candle?
A: The industry standard is considered 0.5 ounce of fragrance per pound of wax. For double-scenting, you would use 1 ounce of fragrance per pound of wax. For triple-scenting your candles you can use 1.5 ounces of fragrance per pound of wax. Make sure to confirm the wax you are using will hold that much fragrance. Some waxes are not designed to hold more than 1 ounce of fragrance per pound. The recommended maximum usage levels for each of our waxes can be found in the Intro. to Candle Waxes section of our Candle Making University.
Q: There is liquid at the bottom of my candle after it has set. What did I do wrong?
A: It is probably fragrance oil. Make sure you are adding your fragrance at the recommended temperature, and make sure that you are not adding too much. The wax is only designed to hold a certain amount of fragrance, and if you exceed that amount, it will not blend well with the wax. The recommended maximum usage levels for each of our waxes can be found in the Intro. to Candle Waxes section.
Q: Do any of your fragrance oils contain gluten?
A: All of our fragrance oils are gluten-free.
Q: Are your fragrance oils paraben free?
A: All of our fragrance oils are free of parabens.
If you are unable to find the answers to your questions here, please contact customer service.