Figuring out frangrance oil percentages

[jgcurtis1961]

Hi,

I am wondering if I'm figuring out my fragrance oil percentages correctly. I have been doing it this way. I want 1 oz pp of fragrance in my candles so Say I am making 4 candles that I want to be approximately a 7 oz candle I would take 6.6 oz (wax) x 4 and I come up with needing 26.4 oz of wax to make my 4 candles. Then I multipy 26.4 x 6.25%. That equals 1.65 oz of fragrance that I need. 1.65 oz oil +26.4 oz wax = 28.05 (total of oil and wax combined). I then divide 28.05 by 4 to come up with the weight of each of my candles. That has each of my candles being 7.0125 oz. I'm no math wiz. In college when I took algebra the teacher had to use what she called mitten math with me, lol. Is there an easier way for me to figure this? Am I doing this TOTALLY WRONG? I know it looks confusing and I hope some of you can follow how I am doing it and give me suggestions on an easier way to figure this. I currenty make two size candles and I need a way to figure a 7 oz candle and a 14 oz candle each containing 1 oz pp fragrance oil. I want to make sure all of my candles are consistantly the same in quality. Thanks all!

[katie]

Just remember that some fragrance are stronger than others and you need to adjust the % to that. For example my magnolia is way to strong and I use less than I would my lighter FO such as a rain or a light musk.

Unfortunately each FO will probably need there own % I made a chart for each FO I use and the % I put in for each size batch I make, so I can refer to it later or if I forget.

[RobinInOR]

That's probably the proper way, but all I do is 1 oz per pound of wax, I need 7 oz of wax and 7/16 oz of fragrance. Then multiply by how many candles I want to make.

For a 14 oz candle I'd need 14/16 oz of fragrance. Close enough.

[jgcurtis1961]

Thanks to both of you for answering my post and helping me out with this. I just wasn't sure if it was ok the way I was figuring it or not. I didn't want to be putting in way to much fragrance oil or not enough and not even realize I was figuring wrong the whole time. I thought some of the more experienced people in here might have an easier way to figure the percentages then the way I have been doing it. From the sounds of it I'm doing ok with it though. Thanks again!

[creeksidecandles]

I think I have an easier solution, and alot less work for you! If (for example) you want 6% of FO, and you are making 4 candles at 6.6 oz. each....just take 6.6 X 6% =.396 per candle...multiply that by 4 and you get 1.58 for all 4 candles. This will work so long as you are making 4 candles of the same FO of course, and you will need to change the % to suit your own needs...but the math is much simpler...IMHO.

[jgcurtis1961]

Yes that is much easier...Thank-You!

[Kassandra]

I have found this formula to be very very helpful, posted by Donna some time back:

Here is a useful formula to determine the amount of wax you need for your available FO.

[(amount of fragrance by weight) divided by (fo percentage load you use)]

Example: you have .7 ounces of FO and you usually add 9%FO ppwax.

(.7/.09)=7.78 ounces of wax.

[Lightning Bug]

Hi. I guess I go at it backwards. I usually figure on a lb and the %. 16 oz. plus 1 oz equals 17. Divide 1 (oz.) by total of 17 and you get a pound of wax with 1 oz. comes out to be 5.9 % FO. I work in grams because I think it is easier as they are smaller. I figure my jelly jar as 165 gm. wax + 15 gms. Fo =180. 15 Divided by 180 is 8.3% which is almost 1 1/2 oz. per pound. I hope this didn't confuse you, but I use it to make first testers that are only 1/2 to 1/3 full to see if I'm going to like the scent throw. Your way comes up with the right amount, and if that is the easiest for you, I would keep using it. But back somewhere on this board it was posted this way and I finally understood the % thing and now find it very easy to adjust for any size candle to get the % I am looking for. Beth