Ever notice how some candles fill a room with fragrance, while others barely make a scent impression? That's where "scent throw" comes in.
Scent throw refers to how far and strong a candle’s fragrance travels in your space. It's what makes your candle go from a subtle background note to a full sensory experience.
Hot Throw vs. Cold Throw
Let’s break it down even further.
- Hot Throw:
- This is the scent you get when the candle is lit. As the wax melts and the fragrance is released into the air, you’ll notice the room filling up with the candle’s aroma. A strong hot throw is what you want for a candle that envelops a room with fragrance.
- Cold Throw:
- This is the scent you smell when the candle is unlit. If you’ve ever taken the lid off a candle to check the scent before buying it, that’s the cold throw at work.
Does a strong cold throw mean a candle will have an equally strong hot throw? Not always.
A candle that smells amazing before lighting could have a weaker scent once it’s burning, depending on factors like wax type, fragrance oil, and even the burn time. That's why both hot and cold throws matter when you're looking for a high-quality candle.
Items That Affect Scent Throw
So, what makes one candle's scent stronger than another? Let’s break it down into two categories: the candle itself and its environment.
Product-Level Factors
- Fragrance Oil:
- The concentration of fragrance oil in the candle is crucial. A higher concentration typically leads to a stronger scent throw, but too much can lead to poor performance or an overwhelming scent.
- Scent Type:
- Not all scents are created equal. Some fragrance types naturally have a stronger throw than others.
- For instance, vanilla-based scents tend to be heavier and more robust, filling a room more easily, whereas lighter fragrances, like citrus or herbal notes, can have a more subtle presence.
- Wax Type:
- Different waxes hold and release fragrance differently.
- For example, natural waxes like soy or coconut are excellent at holding fragrance but can sometimes result in a subtler scent throw compared to paraffin wax. Finding the right wax is key to a well-rounded experience.
- Size / Diameter of the Candle:
- The bigger the candle and its diameter, the larger the melt pool it creates (the area of liquid wax when lit). A larger melt pool means more fragrance can be released into the air.
Environmental Factors
- Airflow:
- Too much airflow (think fans or open windows) can dilute or carry away the fragrance, making the candle’s scent weaker. On the flip side, no airflow at all can trap the scent and create an overpowering aroma.
- Room Size:
- The strength of a candle will perform differently depending on the size of the space it’s in. A small candle in a large room may struggle to make an impact, while in a smaller space, it could feel more intense.
- Melt Pool:
- This is the area of liquid wax when lit
- The size of the melt pool directly affects scent throw. A full, even melt pool ensures that the maximum amount of fragrance is released. If the melt pool is small or uneven, the scent throw will be weaker.
Scent Throw: We're kind of obsessed
We’re obsessed with getting scent throw just right. That’s why we’ve tested and perfected our candles to make sure they perform at their best, giving you a rich and consistent fragrance experience from start to finish.
Here is how we did it:
- Coconut-Soy Blend Wax:
- We weren’t satisfied with the traditional waxes available on the market, so we created our proprietary blend of coconut, soy, and a small amount of refined paraffin, which ensures optimal fragrance release, giving our candles a smooth, even burn and a strong scent throw.
- Fragrance Oil:
- Our fragrance oils are non-toxic, dye-free, phthalate-free, and paraben-free. Our commitment to clean ingredients means you can enjoy a strong scent without worrying about harmful chemicals in your home.
- Fragrance Load:
- We take scent seriously. That’s why our candles have a fragrance load of 10-12%, which is considered on the higher end of the spectrum. This ensures that you get a rich, immersive scent experience without overpowering the room.
Final Thoughts
In summary, scent throw is how well a candle’s fragrance fills a room, whether it's lit (hot throw) or unlit (cold throw). Several factors influence this, including the type of wax, the concentration of fragrance oils, and even the size of the room and airflow around the candle.
To optimize scent throw at home, make sure to burn your candle long enough for the entire surface to melt (creating a full melt pool), avoid placing candles in drafty areas, and match your candle size to the room.
Our candles are thoughtfully crafted with a custom coconut-soy blend wax, non-toxic fragrance oils, and a carefully balanced fragrance load. This ensures a consistent, long-lasting scent that fills your space while being mindful of both your well-being and the environment.