We recently received a question about the difference between A Grade fragrance oils and reed diffuser oils. Namely, what they’re used for and why they’re priced differently. It’s a variation of a question we’ve been asked several times, so it couldn’t hurt to share.
Here’s the question we got:
“Our company is in the process of ordering fragrance scents to make reed diffusers oils. We plan on mixing an assortment of concentrated fragrances with unscented base oil.
I’m a little confused as to your price for oils based on concentrated or pre-mixed.
For example a 32 oz bottle of Sandalwood can be purchased as an A Grade oil for $54.00. Is this pre-mixed with base (ready to pour)? Conversely, if I navigate to this page, I can purchase a 32 oz bottle of Sandalwood oil for $26.00.
Basically, could you instruct me as to the pricing for concentrated oils (not pre-mixed)? Do I look under Skin-Safe Fragrances, or do I look under Reed Diffuser Products/Diffuser Fragrance oils?
Thank you in advance for your help, and we look forward to working with you shortly.”
And our response:
“Thank you for your inquiry and considering our fragrances for your products.
The A Grade Sandalwood is the Pure and Strongest formulation available for that fragrance in a pure skin-safe fragrance oil, 32 oz bottle at $54.00. These fragrances are found under Skin-Safe fragrances. These products are skin-safe and ready for use in candles, lotions, body/room sprays, soaps, potpourris, etc.
The Reed Diffuser Oil Sandalwood, 32 oz. bottle at $26.00, is the Sandalwood fragrance oil blended with our Unscented Reed Diffuser Base and is ready to pour, as-is, into your Reed Diffuser bottles for use as a Reed Diffuser. These products can be found under Reed Diffuser Products, then Diffuser Fragrance Oils.
The A Grade Sandalwood will NOT work properly in its straight form as a Reed Diffuser Oil, as there is different chemistry to get the fragrance to diffuse into the air, which is NOT present in a standard Fragrance Oil. You can get the same smell, in any of our fragrances, in a Reed Diffuser Oil by either purchasing the Reed Diffuser Fragrance Oils in whatever size you may need or you can purchase the straight A Grade Fragrance Oil and the Unscented Reed Diffuser Base and blend these two products to create your own Diffuser Oils. The latter works well if you make multiple products like candles, lotions, soaps, diffusers, etc. and you want the same fragrance throughout your product line or if you want to blend your diffuser oils stronger or weaker for your specific application. Our pre-blended Reed Diffuser Fragrance oils are approximately 50/50 blended with our Unscented Reed Diffuser Base.”
We always love sharing information to help crafters. Do you have a question?
There are so many more uses for fragrance oils than just for candle making, that it can be hard to keep up with it all. Many individuals dilute them and use them just as massage oils without even realizing their full potential. You can use them to add scent to candles, in your bath, in your lotions, in sachets and so much more. In the article below, we are going to give you some lesser known ideas for using fragrance oils.
One popular use for fragrance oils when added to the proper base is in a reed diffuser. This is a great method for releasing a subtle, pleasant fragrance in the house. Diffusers of various types can be used in homes. Many fragrance connoisseurs prefer aromatic diffuser reeds because there’s no heat or fire involved. Reed diffusers also emanate no soot or film, so they’re safe for any space.
Safe for skin fragrance oils when diluted can also be used on your skin as a perfume. If you find an oil that you’ve become attached to, dilute it in the appropriate base to 1% then dab a small amount of it onto your skin. The smell will linger for a long time and it’s sure to be a unique-to-you fragrance.
For those of you who enjoy air freshener sprays, you will be surprised to learn that you can make your own type of spray just by carefully mixing a spray bottle full of air freshener spray base with a few drops of fragrance oils. Check with suppliers for measurement details.
You can also put a few drops of fragrance oils on fake trees or flowers. This way, the fake flowers and trees will smell good – almost as if they were really living. (Oils can stain fabrics so test in an inconspicuous area before adding a lot of it.)
Some people choose to put a couple of drops inside their pillow case. This helps to keep the pillow smelling fresh. Then, each time you lay on it, you’ll fall asleep amid your favorite aroma.
When you are wrapping that present for your friend or family member, make sure you have your favorite (or their favorite) fragrance nearby. If you use a bow, you can put a couple of drops on the bow. This will leave the bow smelling great. You’re sure to have the best smelling present in the house.
You could also put some on a windowsill where the sun shines through. Just a drop or two is enough to pervade your home once the sunshine hits it.
When you have a smelly drain, drop a couple of drops of this solution down it during the night and close the lid of your toilet. For general household odors, mix the fragrance in the appropriate base and use 1 or 2 drops for air sprays. This is a great trick that not that many people know about.
Along with a drop here or a drop there, fragrance oils can be combined with premixed bases to create bath salts, body splash, soaps and much more. Ask your local candle making supplier for additional ideas.
Candles have been around for ages. Over the years, candles have been used in a wide range of settings – religion, health, household emergencies, aesthetic value and for therapeutic reasons. Candles are common commodities in the house. For years, candles were typically made of the common paraffin wax. But now, a lot of people are concerned about going organic and natural. As a result, more manufacturers are trying offering alternative materials for candle making, materials like beeswax and soy candle wax.
Soy candles are of course made from soy wax. This wax comes from hydrogenated soy beans. Soy candle wax is a cheaper natural wax than beeswax.
There are a lot of advantages to using soy candle wax compared to paraffin and beeswax. The following describes the benefits of creating soy-based candles.
Beeswax candles were first introduced as a natural alternative to paraffin waxes but the cost of beeswax has dismayed many candle makers. Soy candles, on the other hand, are cheaper options and give you almost the same results as beeswax.
Soy candles are natural. Soy waxes come from renewable sources unlike paraffin. Many manufacturers and candle makers are against using paraffin since it is a non-renewable material as paraffin is petroleum based.
Spills from soy candles are easier to clean. Spills from paraffin waxes are noticeably more difficult to remove from the furniture, clothes and other surfaces. Soy candle spills on the other hand can easily be removed with hot, soapy water.
Soy candles burn clean. They do not produce dark soot like paraffin candles can. Soy candles produce very little smoke when burned, especially when they are made from a 100 % pure soy wax. Those soy candles that leave soot are made from a blend of both soy and paraffin waxes.
Like paraffin and beeswax, soy candles produce a terrific smell.
Lastly, since soy candles are made from soy beans, you are also helping farmers with each purchase. You actually help the local community of farmers who grow the soy beans that are used for candles. Aside from that, candle manufacturers are also in the community all over the country. This means that with every soy candle that you buy, you are helping the economy.
Soy candles are worth considering when buying candles for the home or when candle making.
Candle making might be messy, but it is not dangerous if you follow some simple safety guidelines. The three potential areas of danger occur while heating the wax, using oils or fragrances, and spills. If an accident happens while melting wax, you could not only get burned, but a fire could break out.
If you follow the common-sense rules in this article, you can keep your kitchen free of damage and, more importantly, yourself. The first priority is to prepare your workspace properly. Cover the area with an old tablecloth, a tarp, or newspaper. Keep the working area organized and clean. Have everything you need readily on hand.
Be prepared for the odd spill by keeping paper towels or a pile of newspapers nearby. Keep a small fire extinguisher at hand as well. Before starting, place all the molds, tools, accessories, additives, and ingredients neatly on the working area. Make sure that dogs, cats, and children are sent out of the kitchen. You don’t want any inquisitive onlookers to distract you or, even worse, cause an accident. Work methodically and slowly, especially when learning a new technique. Many mistakes happen because of rushing.
Handle the ingredients with care. When measuring and pouring fragrance oils, do it very carefully. These oils are highly concentrated and can cause skin irritations, eat through plastic, and make stains. If you do spill some drips, wipe them away with a cloth and wash your hands immediately if they came into contact with the oil.
A good idea is to measure the oils out before you start making candles. They will then be ready for pouring. Don’t place the oil containers near your elbows or any other place where they are at risk of being knocked over. Be sure to understand all safety rules that apply to working with oils. Search the internet for ‘fragrance oil safety’ and take heed of the information.
Be cautious when using colors and dyes. Although liquid dyes are non-toxic, they stain powerfully and quickly. Just a couple of drops of candle dye will color a whole pound (half a kg) of wax. So you can imagine what it would do to your clothes. Always treat wax with great respect. It may just be a harmless looking lump, but when it’s heating at 180 degrees F (82 degrees C) it can burn you badly.
Furthermore, wax does not boil so there’s no way of knowing just how hot it is. It gets hotter and hotter until it starts smoking. Keep an eye on the temperature by having an accurate thermometer on hand. Most importantly, never leave the room when wax is melting. If the phone rings in another room, leave it.
After you have completed your candle making project, there are some safety precautions to follow while burning them. They should be burnt on a surface that is fire and heat resistant, and out of the reach of children and pets. Position them well away from curtains, decorative items, plants, and lampshades. Make sure the candle holder is stable and secure. Always keep the wicks well-trimmed so that the candle can burn safely and cleanly without smoking. And never put a candle in a drafty location.
