Candles vs Oil

[IvyWitch]

One of Lunaine's comments in her thread reminded me of this question I had:

What is better for fragrance, burning oils, or candles? I've always been obsessed with those Yankee Candle tarts, but I've been thinking of using oils instead.
It's probably largely a matter of personal preference, so if you use either, why do you use one over the other?

[SilverClaw]

I have only started to use the oils recently and I tend to like them more because the fragrence lasts longer then the candles I have used. The only draw back I have is the containers of oils are so small and used to quickly.

[SilverClaw]

the cool scents like apple pie and chocolate! i have seen those two scents in the oil part of the doller store.... whre they sell the diffusers and such but have yet to try them.

The Oils I buy are a doller or a bit more depending on the sales.

[SilverClaw]

If I remember I will see about the brand name for you .

[Aidron]

Candles do not seem as concentrated to me. Unless I walk into an area where scented candles are burning, I never can detect an aroma. Even then I can't always detect it either.

Oils I can always smell right away, and the aroma is potent enough that I can detect it after remaining in an area for hours.

So me, personally, I never waste my time on scented candles. I'd rather use oils and one diffuser than six scented candles I can't even notice.

[Hærfest Leah]

I think I burn both equally, it all depends on the smell and feel you want at the time. But I will say I think I'm partial to candles in the evening just because of the relaxing canldelit look and feel they give the house, so I use my oil difuser during the day.

[blueangel]

Using oils may be better for the air quality in your home. I read an article that said that burning 5+ candles actually reduces the air quality to that of a busy city. Not sure how true this is, but it's something to consider if you usually burn tonnes of candles. Perhaps oils would be better?

[Sage]

I read an article that said that burning 5+ candles actually reduces the air quality to that of a busy city.

Beeswax candles, actually have the opposite affect..... great for asthma sufferers. Just thought you might like to know.... I hope :)

For scent I use, essential oils. Just 3 drops for one sitting. Although, if I have a strong scented candle, I burn that. Few of those though. But for visualizations, I tend to use candles.... scented or unscented. They really help with relaxing and such.

Sage

[aranarose]

I constantly have both going. It really depends on the scents. I also like the wax chips and tarts, because you can choose two or three different scents, blend them, and get something delicious. Think strawberry and vanilla!

Oils do have a much stronger scent, but with a pregnant girlfriend, and a husband with allergies, plus new baby kitties in the house, I've had to cut back on the stronger smells and go to mostly candles.

I tend to use a candle warmer which melts the candle without the flame. The wax does not burn away, like it would lighting the wick, but after a while, the scent is gone. I add a few drops of oil, stir the melted wax with a skewer, and it refreshes the candle.

[sarabethv]

My son just picked up a new hobby, candlemaking, so guess who is going to have candles all over her house?