How scented candles replace bad smells in the home

Have you ever wondered how scented candles can mask unpleasant odours in your home? You might think that they simply add a pleasant fragrance to the air, but there is more to it than that. In this blog post, we will explore the science behind how scented candles work and why they are effective at replacing bad smells.

First, let's talk about what causes bad smells in the first place. Bad smells are usually caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are molecules that easily evaporate into the air. VOCs can come from various sources, such as food, garbage, pets, smoke, mould, or bacteria. When we smell something, we are actually detecting the VOCs that reach our nose and bind to our olfactory receptors.

Scented candles are made of wax and a fragrance oil that contains a mixture of different aromatic compounds. When we light a scented candle, the heat from the flame melts the wax and vaporises the fragrance oil. The vaporised fragrance oil then diffuses into the air and reaches our nose. The fragrance oil can have two effects on the bad smells: masking and neutralising.

We all want our homes to smell fresh and inviting, but sometimes unpleasant odours can linger and ruin our mood. Whether it's from pets, smoke, cooking, or drains, bad smells can make us feel embarrassed and uncomfortable, especially when we have guests over.

Masking is when the fragrance oil overwhelms our sense of smell and makes us less aware of the bad smells. This happens because our olfactory receptors can only process a limited amount of information at a time. When we are exposed to a strong and pleasant scent, our brain focuses on that scent and ignores the weaker and unpleasant ones. Masking is more effective when the fragrance oil has a similar chemical structure to the VOCs that cause the bad smells, because they can compete for the same olfactory receptors.

Neutralising is when the fragrance oil reacts with the VOCs and changes their chemical structure or removes them from the air. This happens because some aromatic compounds have functional groups that can interact with other molecules and alter their properties. For example, some fragrance oils contain aldehydes or ketones, which can react with amines or thiols (common sources of bad smells) and form less volatile or odorless compounds. Neutralizing is more effective when the fragrance oil has a higher concentration or a longer exposure time than the VOCs.

Scented candles can also affect our perception of smells by creating a positive association or a mood enhancement. When we smell something that reminds us of a pleasant memory or emotion, such as vanilla, lavender, or cinnamon, we tend to feel more relaxed and happy. This can make us less bothered by the bad smells or even change our evaluation of them. For example, if we smell a scented candle that reminds us of baking cookies, we might find the smell of burnt toast less unpleasant.

In conclusion, scented candles can replace bad smells in the home by masking them, neutralising them, or changing our perception of them. The effectiveness of scented candles depends on various factors, such as the type and intensity of the bad smells, the type and concentration of the fragrance oil, and our personal preferences and associations. Scented candles are not only a way to make our home smell nice, but also a way to create a cosy and comfortable atmosphere.