To simply answer, you can add fragrance to lamp oil. Adding fragrance to lamp oil makes your lamp bring forth a pleasant aroma as it burns.
Lamp oil is a liquid petroleum product specially designed to burn cleanly in any oil lamp, lantern, or torch.
Lamp oil is in the same category as kerosene, however, lamp oil has been further refined and processed so that it no longer produces as many pollutants, soot, and harmful smoke.
Lamp oil can be used in emergency indoor lighting during a blackout and soothing lamp light for a summer evening’s BBQ. Lamps are also safer than candles and more reliable than flashlights. Initially, when homes used to rely solely on lamps as a source of lighting, the main fuel used then was kerosene.
However, kerosene wasn’t ideal, since it created lots of black soot that darkened the glass globes of lanterns and dirtied windows, walls, fabric, and anything with which it comes in contact. Hence, manufacturers were forced to further distill kerosene so that it would be burned indoors without causing much inconvenience.
As a result, ultraclean and ultrapure lamp oil was made for lamps and sold at most camping stores, outdoor suppliers, and supermarkets. The standard variety of lamp oil is very clear and resembles water in its viscosity. There are many standard varieties of lamp oil that appeal to people’s sense of design.
Some users colored the oil so it adds a decorative touch to lamps with transparent reservoirs. Red and purple colors were added to provide a romantic atmosphere, while blue and green were added to evoke serenity.
Also, fragrance can be added to lamp oil to make it aromatic. So, that when the oil burns, a soothing scent is spread through the air, much like an air freshener. The most common fragrances used are lavender and rose. These are suitable fragrances for a master bedroom or bathroom. Vanilla or lemongrass could be appropriate for the kitchen. Citronella oil can also help to keep away mosquitoes and other bothersome insects when burned in outdoor lamps or torches.
So back to the question, “can you add fragrance to lamp oil?” Yes, you can add fragrance to lamp oil to make it aromatic.
Adding fragrance to your lamp oil makes it beautiful. Lamps burning with fragrant oil add a cozy touch to any room and also emit a pleasing scent at the same time.
Unfortunately, buying fragrant or scented lamp oil can be quite expensive. Luckily, you can make your own fragrance lamp oil.
Fragrance lamp oil is easy and cheap to make, and can be made quickly – however, extra care must be taken when making alcohol-based fragrance lamp oil as they contain highly flammable content.
Making your own fragrance oil is not only cheaper than purchasing branded scented oil but it also enables you to mix fragrances and essential oils to suit your specific tastes.
For instance, you can tweak the combination using different scents and oils until you find your favorite combination.
How to add fragrance to your lamp oil?
You can fill your home with the sweet fragrance of rose, gardenia, or any other flowers from your garden with homemade lamp oil.
You can also make scented lamp oil from citrus peel, spices, herbs, etc. for a custom-designed fragrance for your home.
Here are some steps you can take to DIY add rosemary fragrance to your lamp oil:
Step 1: Cut 3 cups of rosemary during the early to mid-morning hours. This is when the fragrance is most intense. Make sure that no pesticides have been used on the leaves, if you can’t ascertain, you can purchase the rosemary from any local organic florist or garden shop around you.
Note: If you want flowers, spices, fragrances other than rosemary, follow the same process as for the rosemary oil.
Step 2: Chop the rosemary roughly, pack it in a plastic bag, and seal it. Roll a rolling pin over the bag to bruise the herbs. You can also choose to use a mortar and pestle if you have one. This process will help bring out the natural fragrances in the rosemary.
Step 3: Add a half cup of sweet, cold-pressed almond oil to a mason jar. Add the mashed rosemary to the mason jar and seal the jar tightly. Shake the jar gently to blend and further bruise the rosemary.
Step 4: Store the mason jar in a moderately warm room with temperatures of about 68°F to 75°F. Shake the jar once daily for one week.
Step 5: Store the mason jar in a dark place with moderate temperatures for two more weeks. This allows the oil to further absorb the rosemary’s scent. At this stage, let the rosemary oil be still, no need for shaking the jar.
Step 6: After the two weeks, strain the oil through the cheesecloth into an unused mason jar to remove the rosemary pieces. Throw away the strained rosemary.
Step 7: Store the rosemary-scented oil in dark bottles to prevent light from impacting the strength of the aroma and the shelf life.
Step 8: Add about 15 to 30 drops of the rosemary-scented oil to the unscented lamp oil.
This would add fragrance to your lamp oil. The amount of rosemary-scented oil you add should be based on your preference as more drops of the rosemary-scented oil offers a stronger app.
How to make an alcohol-based Fragrance Lamp oil
To make alcohol-based fragrance lamp oil, follow these steps:
Note: all the necessary ingredients to make alcohol-based fragrance lamp oil can be found at your local drugstore or health foods store. Also, ensure that you purchase isopropyl alcohol and not rubbing alcohol. This is because only isopropyl alcohol will burn cleanly and help to purify the air.
Needed Items
- 16oz. bottle of isopropyl alcohol
- Bottle with a tight-fitting lid
- Distilled water
- Essential oils (eucalyptus, rose, lavender, etc.)
- Gloves
- Measuring spoons
Step 1: you need to put on a pair of gloves to protect your hands from the alcohol and strong scents of the oils.
Step 2: pour the isopropyl alcohol into a larger bottle that allows room at the top of the bottle to add other ingredients. Then add about 1/2 ounce of distilled water to the alcohol.
Step 3: choose which essential oil you would like to add to the alcohol (you may decide to combine more essential oils). Add about a teaspoon of essential oil (or a combination of oils) per 1oz of alcohol.
Step 4: close the bottle of the alcohol and gently shake the ingredients together to mix them.
Step 5: open the bottle again and perceive the mixture. If you are not pleased with the strength of the smell, you may add more drops of scented oil. Note that different brands of essential oils have different strengths.
Step 6: replace the lid and keep the bottle closed until you are ready to use it.
If you don’t want to combine different scents but want to make two different scents out of one bottle of alcohol, then divide the alcohol and add the essential oils separately to each portion.
Don’t forget that alcohol will evaporate. So, keep your alcohol-based fragrance lamp oil in a container with a tightly-fitting lid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the right way to mix two fragrances for your lamp?
If you are layering two different scents, the first rule is to layer fragrances that belong to the same or close families. For example, if you want to mix a citrusy, you must go for something fruity or floral and not a strong, menthol flavor. Next, always use a fresh dish washed with fragrance-free soap to mix the two scents. You don’t want the fragrances to absorb the smell of your soap. Also, remember to keep a higher proportion of the lighter scents so that the heavier notes cannot overpower them.
What kind of fragrances are best for lamps?
You can choose any perfume of your choice for your lamp. However, since it’s for indoor use, you might want to go for something soothing and gentle yet quite distinct. Fruity and floral scents are popular choices for lamps. Another popular fragrance for home lamps is vanilla. Try to avoid strong mint or woody flavors that linger around for too long or are too overbearing. If you are looking for some health benefits along with fragrance, go for essential oils. For instance, Eucalyptus is known to ease breathing and relieve stress and nausea.
What are some fuel options for fragrant oil lamps
Some of the popular options are castor oil, olive oil, palm kernel oil, lamp oil, canola oil, etc. When choosing the right fuel for your scented oil lamp, you have to keep in mind that you do not want this oil to interfere with the original scent.
How to maintain a fragrance oil lamp
The best way to maintain a fragrance oil lamp is to always clean the lamp’s hood to remove any build-up of soot or condensation. Let it cool down first and then use mild soap and water to get rid of the greedy residue.
How to store fragrance lamp oil
Always store your oils in glass containers instead of plastic. This way, you can ensure that two elements do not react or take away from each other. Next, keep it out of direct sunlight, in a dry, cool place — even room temperature would be fine. The same goes for the scent; always store it in an air-tight glass bottle away from sunlight, in a cool & dry place. It’s best to not mix the scent and oil before storing. If you want the fresh fragrance hitting your senses every time you enter the room, add the fragrance right before you light up the lamp.
What are solubilizers?
Solubilizers are cosmetic ingredients that help poorly soluble elements into a solvent quickly. They come in very handy when you are experimenting with different fragrances and lamp oil. A few drops of this in the mixture and your scent will disappear into the oil in no time.
Conclusion
Now you know that you can add fragrance to your lamp oil to make it aromatic. You can also decide to DIY your scented lamp oil.
This enables you to use your desired scent.
Otherwise, you can get your scented lamp oil from a local store.
