How To Make Fragrance Effusion Lamp Fuels

You can purchase already made Fragrance Lamp Fuel or you can make your own using a small amount of our synthetic candle fragrance oil and some strong rubbing alcohol. As with any craft, there are a number of variables involved so we can't tell you an exact formula for each of the hundreds of scents we carry. This instruction is simply a guide to help you in the process. If you get frustrated easily we suggest you purchase the ready to burn fuels or at least keep your formulas on the light side so you'll have less issues with plugged wicks (you'll understand as you read on). So many of our crafty customers make their own fuel now, that we have discontinued stocking and selling the ready made product

CAUTION! Fragrance Lamp Fuels and the alcohol used to make it are flammable. Work in an area with plenty of ventilation. Do not work with alcohol near an open flame, lit candle or cigarette or any other ignition source that could ignite your alcohol or fumes. BURN THIS SCENTED FUEL ONLY IN A FRAGRANCE LAMP DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR USE WITH ALCOHOL BASED FUELS. DO NOT USE THIS FUEL IN OIL LAMPS OR ANY OTHER DEVICE.

Use Alcohol Fuels Only in Lamps that Utilize a Wick/Stone Assembly!
   

How To Make Fragrance Effusion Lamp Fuels
- A new Fragrance Lamp Wick & Burner Assembly is recommended as you begin your testing.
- 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon (preferrably metal as some fragrance oils can damage plastics).
- A small metal funnel is helpful but you may do ok without it if you have a steady hand.
- Synthetic Based Candle Fragrance Oils - This is your project and you can expiriment with any fragrance oil you like but we have found the Soy Based fragrances tend to smoke more and clog your wick and stone so you can save yourself a lot of grief by staying with the Synthetic Fragrances.
If you don't already have fragrance oils we recommend you start with the 2 oz size bottles or purchase a Fragrance Oil Sample Pack.
- A 16 oz Bottle and cap for each different fragrance scent you want to make.
- You may still be able to purchase Wick Cleaner online (we no longer stock it) or you may find 99.9% Isopropyl Alcohol from a local industrial solvent supplier, which is similar to rubbing alcohol but the 99.9% means there is virtually no water in it. You can also use 91% Isopropyl (also known as Isopropanol) Alcohol in a 16 oz or pint bottle. You can purchase the 91% alcohol at the same drug store you would find Rubbing alcohol or 70% alcohol. We do not recommend using any other type of alcohol, or rubbing alcohol or any alcohol with a rating of less than 91% due to the high water content.
- A permanent ink marker to label your bottle.

The How To -

If you bought 91% Alcohol at the store; start by adding 1/4 teaspoon (tsp) synthetic candle fragrance oil to your 16 oz bottle of alcohol. Label the bottle with the fragrance name and how much you added. Do a test burn using a new Wick & Stone or Wick & Burner assembly in your lamp (do not use oil lamps or lanterns!). If you are happy with the scent throw you are done! If the lamp stays lit but you are not happy with the strength of scent you can pour your fuel back into the 16 oz bottle and add another 1/4 teaspoon of fragrance oil (total of 1/2 teaspoon maximum) and do another test burn in your lamp with the stronger fuel. See Helpful Info below. Some scents will burn well up to 3/4 teaspoon of oil per 16 oz of 91% alcohol.

If you are using 99.9% Alcohol Wick Cleaner; Begin your testing just as described above. Wick Cleaner is 99.9% alcohol with almost no measurable water at all. It burns hotter than the 91% alcohol you can purchase at the local store which means your stone will stay hotter which is what you want. It may also allow you to make a stronger mixture of fragrance oil to alcohol than the 91% would burn (possibly up to 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon more per 16 oz alcohol).

Helpful Info
-Keep good notes. If you have great success with a particular scent formula you'll want to remember how to repeat it, and not repeat your failures.
-Keep in mind that not every scent is going to be strong, or was intended to be strong, no matter how much oil you add to your alcohol.
-Testing requires time and patience. A heavy fuel mix may not plug your wick in a short term test but a little too heavy a mix can plug your wick slowly over time. The longer you burn your tester the better chance you'll have a good formula that won't cause clogging long term. If you need more info on operating your fragrance lamp or dealing with a clogged wick go to Catalytic Effusion Fragrance Lamp Use & Troubleshooting guide.
-The caps on the 16 oz 91% alcohol bottles I used in my testing for these instructions did not seal well after removing the foil safety seal from the bottle. Be certain your bottles seal well so they don't leak flammable liquid if tipped over. Not only is a leaking bottle a fire hazard the alcohol can damage many surfaces.
-As always, you are the crafter. You are in charge of your project and it's outcome. Candle Soylutions does not replace wick/stone assemblies for any reason. A new wick stone assembly is a very simple product. If it doesn't work it is either clogged, you are filling your lamp too full or there is something wrong with your mix.
-Be overly cautious and KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND PETS!