Have you ever lit a candle, eagerly anticipating the delightful aroma to fill the room, only to find yourself wondering, "Why can't I smell my candle?" Fear not, fellow candle enthusiasts, for we are about to embark on a journey to uncover the secrets behind this olfactory conundrum.
1. Olfactory Fatigue: The Silent Saboteur
Have you ever noticed that after a while, you can barely smell the fragrance of your favorite candle, no matter how strong it was when you first lit it? This common phenomenon is known as olfactory fatigue, or "nose-blindness."
Understanding Olfactory Fatigue
Olfactory fatigue occurs because our sensory receptors in the nose become accustomed to continuous exposure to a specific scent. This is a natural response designed to help us detect new and potentially important smells in our environment.
While this adaptation is helpful in many scenarios, it can be frustrating when you want to enjoy the consistent scent of your favorite candle.
But don't worry! There are ways to rejuvenate your sense of smell and combat this fatigue, ensuring you can continue to enjoy your beloved fragrances.
Tips to Combat Olfactory Fatigue
Take Scent Breaks: Give your nose a break from the fragrance by stepping outside or moving to a different room for a while. Fresh air can help reset your sense of smell and make the scent of your candle noticeable again when you return.
Rotate Scents: Instead of burning the same candle continuously, try rotating different scents. This can prevent your nose from becoming too accustomed to one particular fragrance and helps maintain the impact of each scent.
Use Neutral Scents: Introducing neutral scents like coffee beans or fresh air can help reset your olfactory senses. Sniffing coffee beans between smelling different fragrances is a common practice in perfumeries to clear the nose and restore its sensitivity.
Enhance Air Circulation: Improving air circulation in your space can help prevent olfactory fatigue. Use fans or open windows to keep the air moving, which can help disperse the scent more evenly and prevent your nose from becoming desensitized.
Stay Hydrated: Staying well-hydrated can help keep your mucous membranes in good condition, which is essential for a healthy sense of smell. Drink plenty of water to maintain your overall olfactory health.
2. The Wick That Wasn't Trimmed
A candle's wick – a humble yet crucial component in the scent-scape adventure. A wick left untrimmed can cause the candle flame to burn too hot and fast.
This not only shortens your candle's lifespan but also vaporizes the fragrance oils too quickly, resulting in a scent that fades sooner than expected.
Watch the video below for tips on correctly trimming your wooden wick!
3. Size Matters
The size of your candle must match the expanse of space it seeks to enchant. A candle too small for the room struggles to disperse its scent effectively, leading to a whisper of fragrance instead of the grand aromatic narrative you envisioned.
Here's the size of space we reccomend buring our different candle sizes in:
Tealights: Meant to be samples, will not fill a room, but can be used to smell what the scent will be like and are best burned right next to you, such as on a desk or next to a bath.
2.7 oz Candle Tins: Best used in smaller spaces, like an office, bathroom or bedroom.
10 oz Candle Jars: Will fill larger spaces, such as a kitchen, dining room, or living room.
To intensify the fragrance in a spacious area like a large, open concept kitchen/living room with high ceilings, consider burning two identical candles simultaneously. A single 10oz candle might struggle to fill the space adequately. Adding a second candle or using wax melts in addition can help boost the aroma throughout the rooms.
Keep in mind that open windows or drafts can help spread or limit a candle fragrance throw.
4. The Battle of the Scents: Soft vs. Strong
Candles come in different scents, ranging from mild to strong. The strength of a fragrance can also impact how strong it is or how far it spreads.
Some of our candles, such as Ancient Library, Rustic Tavern and Frosted Vales, have softer scents that may not fill a room as strongly or you may not smell as intensely as some of our other stronger scents, like Dark Forest, City of Elves and Halfling's Haven.
You can always snag one of our sample packs to get an idea of which scents might have the scent strength you are looking for. Click here to join the VIP Club for a free sample pack, just pay shipping!
5. The Lingering Effects of the Unseen Foe: Covid-19
In the realm of scent exploration, the shadow of Covid-19 lingers, casting its unseen influence on our olfactory adventures.
Long-haulers, those who experience persistent symptoms post-infection, may find their sense of smell altered. This unseen foe can cloak scents in an ethereal mist, distorting the aromatic landscape we once knew.
In addition to using the tips we gave to help combat olfactory fatigue, regularly practice scent training can help reawaken and retrain your olfactory senses.
Scent Training
Scent training involves regularly practicing smelling a variety of strong scents, such as essential oils or spices, for a few minutes each day. This simple exercise can help reawaken and retrain your olfactory senses, gradually improving your ability to perceive and enjoy fragrances.
By incorporating scent training into your routine, you can enhance your overall sense of smell and better appreciate the aromatic nuances of your favorite candles.
Now that you know all about olfactory fatigue, wick care, candle size, choosing the right scents, and scent training in light of Covid-19, you will better be able to troubleshoot the reasons you can't smell your candles as well as you'd like.
So, light those candles, inhale deeply, and enjoy the magical realms they transport you to!
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