Journal logo

All about scented candles and home fragrances

Candles and various fragrances to create a special atmosphere at home

By Emily ParrrPublished 2 years ago • 7 min read

Every home has its own unique scent. It could be the smell of old books, sweet pastries, cut flowers, or a whole range of different aromatic notes that make you feel like you are “home,” and for your family and friends, it is firmly associated with you.

Since ancient times, people have been aromatizing rooms. For these purposes, they used dried herbs (mint, lavender, lemon balm, rose petals), oils and incense.

Nowadays, there are even more ways to fill your home with a pleasant scent – ​​there are various diffusers, scented sachets, aroma sticks, aroma lamps, candles and room sprays .

What types of fragrances are there?

Home fragrances can be divided into several groups:

  • Relaxing. Smells that create an atmosphere of calm, warmth and comfort in the house, for example, the smell of lavender, mint, rose, juniper, sage.
  • Tonic. Aromas that have a stimulating effect on the nervous system and increase efficiency. These include the aromas of orange, basil, coffee, herbs and spices.
  • Refreshing. Aromas that fill the house with a pleasant coolness. These are the smells of sea breeze, verbena, lime, lemon, tangerine, watermelon.

It is also worth highlighting a group of bactericidal odors, which are used, among other things, to disinfect premises: the aromas of spruce, cedar, juniper, tea tree, sage and eucalyptus.

Aromatization of the apartment by zones

Today, many people use candles and various fragrances to create a special atmosphere at home, having several fragrances in their arsenal for different moods or occasions. For some, it is already a routine: to come home and light a candle or incense, for others - a special ritual, where the aroma becomes a guide to a new world.

Considering the characteristics of fragrances, you need to be able to combine them correctly and know which room in the house a particular fragrance is best suited for.

The living room is the heart of the house. The main room where we receive guests, relax after a working day, watch movies, play with children. The aromas of pine forest, rose, musk, bergamot will be appropriate here.

Kitchen. The place where the whole family gathers. There are always a lot of aromas in this room, so it is important not to overdo it by choosing a too strong smell. Light citrus aromas, fruity and floral ones will fit in organically in the kitchen, and the aromas of spicy spices and coffee will help to awaken your appetite.

Bathroom. With the help of scented candles you can create a SPA-salon atmosphere and bask in a warm bath. The aromas of sea breeze, cherry blossoms, vanilla, lavender and mint are suitable for this purpose.

Bedroom. The right scent will help you relax and get ready for sleep. Many people use candles to create a romantic atmosphere: tart playful aromas of patchouli, sandalwood, ylang-ylang and pleasant twilight.

Regular use of scents that you enjoy can have positive effects on your physical and emotional well-being.

About scented candles

The main role of scented candles is to create a cozy atmosphere in the home environment. This is facilitated by both the contemplation of the candle flame and the smell that fills the room.

There are a huge number of materials for making candles, the most common of which is wax. It is a natural material and is divided into different types:

Beeswax . Has a characteristic sweet-honey smell. The color palette of a ready-made candle made of beeswax without dyes includes shades from light yellow (almost white) to dark yellow, sometimes with a green tint. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find a finished product made only of beeswax. This concerns not only the high cost of this type of wax, but also the fragility of finished candles. Without an additional hardener, they very quickly lose their shape. The melting point of such wax is 35 degrees, which means that the finished product must be stored with caution: do not leave it in direct sunlight or near a warm battery.

Palm wax. It has no smell. This wax is more durable than beeswax. It is not afraid of high temperatures and direct sunlight, but it easily chips off when dropped. It is valued by manufacturers because it holds its shape well and does not require additional capacity. After hardening, a “frost” pattern is formed on the finished candle.

Coconut wax. Has a neutral smell. Expensive natural material, which is characterized by a very low melting rate.

Soy wax. Currently the most popular type of wax. A candle made from it has a matte white shade and a subtle milky aroma. It is easy to paint and wash off with warm water and soap, leaving no stains.

How to light and extinguish candles correctly?

To make the candle burn longer, it is necessary to cool the wax before using it. Each time before lighting the candle, shorten its wick to 5 mm.

To put out a candle, it is best to use a special snuffer cap or a lid from an aroma candle, with which you need to block the oxygen. If you simply blow out the candle wick, the room will be filled with a smoldering smell that will interrupt the aroma. You can also carefully bend the wick into the liquid wax that forms around the wick itself during burning. This technique will allow you to seal the wick, and when you re-light the candle, you will not need to trim it.

Wooden wick in a candle

A real find for lovers of a special atmosphere will be candles with a wooden wick. In addition to the aroma, such a candle makes light crackling sounds when burning, imitating a fireplace. A candle with a wooden wick instantly helps to relax after a hard day. The wick does not require special care and trimming. You just need to light the candle and enjoy 🙂

Aromatic sprays for home

Spraying aromatherapy sprays is an opportunity to enhance the atmosphere of coziness in the room. This is a less persistent option, which is ideal for those who like to try different scents, choosing them according to their mood or occasion.

There are two options for spraying the spray:

Spraying in the air. For easy distribution of aroma, you only need a couple of presses on the sprayer. Within a couple of minutes, the aroma will open up and spread throughout the room.

Spraying home textiles. Spray the spray from a distance of 15-20 cm on curtains, decorative pillows or upholstered furniture. It is important to do this from a distance so that the spray does not leave a stain on the fabric. Just one or two presses on the sprayer are enough. This will allow you to achieve a more intense smell, as the fabric will be saturated with the aroma and will emit it for a long time.

Aromatic sprays are more versatile than candles, as they have a less intense aroma. This option for aromatizing space is suitable even for a child's room, but it is still better to use light fruity and floral aromas. No heavy or harsh smells.

Our most popular candle and spray scents

Verbena. A refined, candy-like, fresh aroma with citrus notes. Candles with this scent help to recover from severe physical overexertion. The aroma of verbena is a powerful aphrodisiac and helps to normalize hormonal levels. In aromatherapy, the smell of verbena is used to combat hypotension.

Citrus fruits . The aroma of oranges, lemons and grapefruits is popular in aromatherapy. Both adults and children love the fresh and light smell of the zest. Citrus fruits contain components such as limonene and cineole. The first can eliminate the blues and improve mood. Cineole acts as an antiseptic, so candles with citrus scents are especially popular during the respiratory season. They will clean the air in the house from viruses and help improve mood.

Rose. It is impossible to create a romantic atmosphere without this scent. The scent of roses is often used in perfume production. Rose essential oils have been used since ancient times. A candle with the scent of rose petals, lit in the bedroom, will create a romantic sensual mood and help you relax.

Vanilla . Another popular aroma, reminiscent of the smell of baking. Vanilla oil is valued in aromatherapy. It can create a feeling of comfort and relieve insomnia. Vanilla is often complemented with cinnamon. Such a neighborhood not only improves the bouquet, but also expands the possibilities of the aroma. Vanilla and cinnamon have a general strengthening effect.

Lavender. On cold winter evenings, you can create the atmosphere of the real Cote d'Azur or Provence at home. To do this, just buy a candle with the scent of lavender. This aroma was attributed with magical properties. It helps to calm the nerves and improve the mood.

Sakura. The aroma of Japanese plum has a calming and harmonizing effect on a person. Light a candle with the scent of Japanese plum to forget about your troubles and sorrows. In Japan, this aroma is considered an aphrodisiac, capable of reviving former passion.

Acai berries. The aroma of the Brazilian palm fruit is successfully used in bouquets, perfumes and aromatherapy. The smell of acai is reminiscent of a chocolate-nut dessert with fruits. It can activate the thinking process and improve memory. Candles with this scent can be used to prepare for exams.

When buying scented candles and sprays, the most important thing is to choose your scent. Do not rush with the choice and trust your feelings

product review

About the Creator

Enjoyed the story? Support the Creator.

Subscribe for free to receive all their stories in your feed.

Subscribe For Free

Reader insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment
    Written by Emily Parrr