Why can't I smell my candle anymore?

Candles are increasingly becoming highly sought-after home accessory items. They are aesthetically pleasing, create a gorgeous glow, and, of course, they usually smell great!

In fact, we've noticed that while the look of the candle is important, almost all candles are chosen for their scents and the emotions that the scent provokes. Smells are one of the most calming sensory features we possess, and certain smells can be infinitely pleasing. We look for special edition and seasonal candles, as well as scents we are familiar with. But what happens if a candle doesn’t smell right or has very little scent?

When a customer asks why their candle from an alternative brand no longer smells, it's quite tricky to answer. There are many reasons this could occur. Manufacturing issues, such as the fragrance not being added to the wax at the proper time or an incorrect ratio of fragrance to wax, can be culprits. Another reason to consider is that the fragrance itself may simply be of poor quality.

Aside from manufacturing reasons, there are also many environmental and user-related factors that can cause a candle to lose its fragrance strength. When we sniff candles in shops before buying them, they may smell very strong. However, the scent can be concentrated in the top layer of wax. This is particularly true for cheaper, mass-produced candles that often have a plain wax core topped with fragranced wax. The candle will ultimately only provide scent while that top layer exists.

Candle

In comparison, candles from a maker who often produces in small batches by hand will be noticeably different. The scent will come through quickly within half an hour of lighting the wick and will be long-lasting. These candles have a great scent throw, meaning the scents in the wax can be easily picked up by the wick. This shows that the correct ratio of wax and fragrance was used throughout the candle.

Why Can't I Smell My Quality Candle Anymore?

Sometimes, you may find that you have bought the perfect candle. It wasn't cheap, it smells amazing, and you've enjoyed it night after night. Then, all of a sudden, you just can't smell it anymore. What's going on? Why isn't it smelling great anymore?

It didn’t occur to me when I first started producing candles that I would randomly stop smelling my own candles while burning them. I could easily smell the cold throw, but after some time of burning the candle—especially when burning candles in the shop—I would forget it was lit. Not because I left the room, but because I stopped smelling it entirely. Now, as the maker of our Daisy Fresh candles, I know they are manufactured using the correct ratios and high-quality fragrance oils, always made in small batches. So why has the fragrance suddenly stopped? Enter the most common reason we can no longer smell our candles:

Nose Blindness

So what are you experiencing? You may be experiencing olfactory fatigue, otherwise known as "nose blindness." This common phenomenon occurs when you are constantly exposed to the same scent. After a while, your nose becomes accustomed to the smell and is no longer able to detect it.

There are a few things you can do to combat this and get the most out of your candles:

1. Take a Break: Try taking a break from them. Go outside for a walk or spend some time in another room of your house. This will give your nose a chance to reset, and you'll be able to come back to the candle with fresh senses.

   
   

2. Switch Up Your Scent: If you're a creature of habit and burn the same scent, it may be time for a change. Tell us your favourite scent, and we can recommend something complementary. Even a slight change in notes can help keep your nose on its toes and should do the trick.

   
   

However, if you try to overcome nose blindness but aren't having much luck, there are other things you can try.

Use It in a Smaller Room

Try using the candle in a smaller room. The scent may be unable to fill a larger room due to open windows or the candle's position in a high-traffic area. Moving it to a smaller room and checking if you can then smell the candle will help determine whether there is an issue with the ingredients.

Always remember to practice safety by keeping the candle clear of fabrics, curtains, and other flammable items, as well as placing it on a flat, sturdy surface. Smaller rooms mean less air space that needs to be filled with scent. This is one of the simplest solutions to getting more scent out of a candle that seems to no longer be performing.

Small home office

Be Sure to Burn the Candle Properly

Even poorly fragranced candles should be burned properly. If the burning technique is not quite right, any fragrance that might be in there won’t be expelled properly. The proper way to burn a candle is to start off on the right foot. The very first use is critical to how the rest of the candle will burn.

It is recommended that candles burn for at least two - three hours to help pool enough candle wax along the top layer, edge to edge. This is due to the soya wax having a memory. If you don't go edge to edge on the first burn, subsequent burns will only meet the distance of that initial burn, causing a tunnelling effect. The following burns can be anywhere from one to three hours. However, it's good to note that external temperatures around the candle environment may affect the performance of the fragrance. If you have only burned it for two hours and cannot smell the fragrance, it could be that the wax is not getting hot enough to throw the fragrance into the atmosphere. Try lighting it for longer or changing its position away from drafts or cold windows.

Store at the Right Temperature

Believe it or not, incorrect temperatures can affect the scent of a candle. It is recommended that candles stay in rooms that are dry and somewhere between 15-30 degrees Celsius. This not only can improve the scent of the candle but also help maintain it. Candle care is crucial; it ensures that we get the very best from our candles!

Use It Regularly

Candles that sit around without being used will not hold their scent forever. This is definitely true of expensive candles but even more so for inexpensive ones. Good quality candles are said to hold scents for up to two years at the very most. Now cut that time down drastically for their cheaper, mass-produced versions.

Using the candle regularly, with proper care such as wick trimming to the correct length between burns, will make the most out of any candle. It will keep the scent flowing no matter what! Letting it sit there looking pretty without much use is such a waste. Ask yourself, is it even worth buying it in the first place?

I hope this helps you get the very best out of your candle, whether it's a Daisy Fresh one or bought elsewhere. Just remember, buying from a small business that takes the time and care in producing their goods often leads to a better experience due to the attention to detail and the passion for quality ingredients.