My candle doesn't smell: 5 possible causes

It can be disappointing to light a scented candle and find that it releases little or no fragrance. Several factors can explain this phenomenon, ranging from human perception to the candle's manufacturing process itself. Here are the possible causes in detail:

1. Olfactory fatigue:

• This is a phenomenon of sensory adaptation . When your nose is continuously exposed to the same odor, even if it is still present, the olfactory receptors can temporarily become less sensitive to that specific scent. You then have the impression that the odor has disappeared.
• Other people entering the room might smell the scent even though you no longer do. Leaving the room for a while and then returning can " reset " your perception.

2. Quality of ingredients:

• Poor quality wax : Some waxes don't bind well to fragrances or don't release them effectively when they melt. A low-quality wax can mask or alter the scent.
• Poor quality perfume : Cheap synthetic fragrances may have an inherently weak olfactory strength.
• Unsuitable fragrance : Not all fragrances are designed to withstand the heat of a candle. Some may degrade or evaporate too quickly without properly diffusing their aroma into the air.
  At Ely's Candle , we are committed to selecting our suppliers in France, particularly in Grasse, the world capital of perfume. This allows us to guarantee the quality of the ingredients we use in our products: Our fragrances are generally CMR-free*, phthalate-free, vegan, and cruelty-free. Our waxes are also GMO-free, vegan, and cruelty-free.

3. Design flaw by the manufacturer:

• Insufficient dosage of perfume or poor incorporation can lead to degradation of the perfume or incomplete or altered diffusion.
• A poor choice of wax or its quality, and a wick unsuitable for the container, are often the cause of poor fragrance diffusion. The candle tunnels or burns too quickly, and the fragrance is not released properly.

All the scented candles and wax melts in the Ely's Candle shop have a 10% fragrance concentration, the maximum percentage allowed for this type of handcrafted product. Commercially, the percentage generally used is around 3 to 5%.

4. Room size and ventilation:

• Large room: A small candle or one with a subtle scent will struggle to fragrance a large open space. The volume of air is simply too great.
• Excessive ventilation: Drafts (open windows, air conditioning, fans) can disperse the fragrance too quickly, diluting it to the point of making it imperceptible before it has had a chance to fill the room with its scent.

5. Poor combustion:

• Even melting: For optimal fragrance diffusion, it is essential to let the candle burn long enough (generally around 2 hours), especially on the first use, so that the entire surface of the wax becomes liquid (forming a "pool" of melted wax up to the edges of the container). It is this liquid wax that releases the majority of the fragrance.
• Tunnel: If you extinguish the candle too soon, it may create a "tunnel" in the center, reducing the surface area of ​​melted wax during subsequent uses and therefore the diffusion of the fragrance.
  

To improve the fragrance diffusion of your candles, here are a few summary tips:

• Choose quality: Opt for handcrafted candles from manufacturers who are transparent about the products they use. Choose candles made with high-quality waxes and well-balanced, properly incorporated fragrances.
• Ensure proper combustion: Always let your candle burn at least until the entire surface is liquid, especially on first use (this can take 1 to 2 hours depending on the size).
• Choose the candle for the room: Use larger or more powerful candles for larger spaces and reserve more discreet ones for smaller rooms. Limit direct ventilation.
• Combat olfactory fatigue: Ventilate the room or change rooms for a while if you can no longer smell the perfume.

*CMR: Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, Reprotoxic Substances