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What is a fragrance lamp and how does it work?

Contrary to the name, fragrance lamps are not used for illumination. They effectively clean and scent the air using a catalytic stone wick that burns an alcohol - based fragrance lamp oil. Once the fragrance lamp is filled with fragrance lamp oil to no more than 2/3 capacity, the fragrance lamp wick (which has been saturated with 91% alcohol) is seated in the neck of the fragrance lamp. The fragrance lamp wick is lit and allowed to burn for about two minutes before the flame is blown out. The vented crown is placed over the fragrance lamp wick, which continues to burn without a flame. 

What are the instructions for using the Makes-Scents Fragrance Lamp?
The Makes Scents Fragrance Lamp includes:

• Fragrance lamp with vented crown and snuffer cap
• Stone wick
• Filling funnel

In addition to your fragrance lamp, you will need:

• One vial of DIY Fragrance Lamp Oil Concentrate.
• Two 16 oz. bottles of 91% Isopropyl Alcohol, available at most pharmacies such as Wal-Mart. Be sure to use 91% strength, not 70% strength. One bottle will be used to soak the stone wick and the second bottle will be used to blend the fragrance lamp oil.
• An airtight glass or plastic container, such as a Mason jar or Tupperware container.
• Wind-resistant BBQ torch lighter (Scripto brand from Wal-Mart). Standard cigarette lighters or matches do not provide a strong enough flame.
• Fill airtight container with 91% Isopropyl Alcohol. Place the entire stone wick assembly in the container of alcohol and cover it so that the stone can soak while you prepare the fragrance lamp oil.
• Empty contents of DIY Vial into second bottle of 16 fl. oz. Isopropyl Alcohol and shake to blend.
• Fill your lamp with as much fragrance lamp oil as you intend to burn at one time, but no more than 2/3 full. Fragrance lamp oil burns at the rate of approximately 1 oz. per hour, so if you want to burn your lamp a couple hours, fill it with 2 oz. of fragrance lamp oil.
• Remove the stone wick from the airtight container and insert the cotton wick portion into the neck of the fragrance lamp. Seat the stone portion firmly in the metal tiered fitting. Light the stone using the wind-resistant BBQ lighter. Allow it to burn approximately two minutes.
• Once you see the stone wick glowing, blow out the flame and place the vented crown on the fragrance lamp. Use the lamp in a safe, non-drafty area away from children and pets. Vented crown will become very hot.
• Allow the fragrance lamp to burn completely out. If you need to extinguish the lamp before all the fragrance lamp oil has been burned, use a potholder to carefully remove the hot vented crown and place the snuffer cap over the stone wick.
• Helpful tips:
  
• Keep several spare wicks on hand and store them in the airtight container of alcohol when they are not in use. Replace the alcohol when it becomes discolored.
• Wicks will be saturated and ready to light the next time you use your lamp.

How can I blend my own fragrance lamp oil?

• You will need:
  
• DIY Fragrance Lamp Oil Concentrate Vial.
• 16 oz. bottle of 91% Isopropyl Alcohol, available at most pharmacies such as Wal-Mart. Make sure it's 91% strength; 70% strength won't work.
• Pour contents of the vial directly into the bottle of 91% alcohol and shake to blend thoroughly. Tip: Use a permanent marker to write the scent name on the bottle.
• If you are using a 32 oz. bottle of 91% alcohol, you'll need two vials of concentrate.
• The above ratio is for standard strength fragrance lamp oil. If you desire a stronger blend, add up to 1/3 of another vial (for 16 oz. size) to the blend but be aware that increased wick clogging can occur (it's the fragrance that clogs wicks).
• For use in fragrance lamps, effusion lamps, and catalytic fragrance lamps only. See directions below for use in fragrance warmers, wax warmers and simmer pots.

What else can the DIY Fragrance Lamp Oil Concentrate be used for?
Fragrance and Wax Warmers, Simmer Pots - Fill warmer reservoir with water and add a few drops of fragrance concentrate.

What other fragrances can I blend using DIY Fragrance Lamp Oil Concentrate?
See the Scent Recipes page for lots of great ideas and use the Blending Kit to make your blending easy and mess-proof. 
How can I get a stubborn fragrance lamp stone wick to burn?
Fragrance lamp stone wicks can become clogged and stubborn to light or keep burning due to drafty rooms, humidity, sitting in a filled, unlit lamp (which naturally happens when they are clogged and go out), and other factors. Try these tips to get your stone wick burning again:

• DO return the stubborn wick to the container of 91% alcohol and let it soak at least overnight.
• DO burn some straight 91% alcohol in your fragrance lamp.
• DO dilute fragrances that you find to be particularly cloggy with 91% alcohol.
• DO use a wind-resistant BBQ lighter and hold the flame directly on the stone for several seconds until you see it glowing.
• DO NOT use a standard cigarette lighter or match to light your fragrance lamp. The flame they produce is not strong enough.
• DO let your fragrance lamp burn completely out each time you use it.
• DO NOT use a crown to extinguish your fragrance lamp.

How can I avoid overfilling my fragrance lamp?

• Fill your fragrance lamp until full with either fragrance lamp oil or 91% alcohol.
• Pour the contents of the fragrance lamp into a glass measuring cup.
• Make note of the amount you poured out and calculate what 2/3 of that amount would be. The 2/3 amount is the maximum fill level for your fragrance lamp.
• Return the fragrance lamp oil or 91% alcohol to it's original sealed container.
• The next time you prepare to burn your fragrance lamp, use the glass measuring cup to fill it with no more than the 2/3 amount you calculated.

How can I modify a stone wick so that it works in tall fragrance lamps?
Ideally, the cotton wick portion of the stone fragrance lamp replacement wick should reach the bottom of the lamp container so that all the fragrance lamp oil is absorbed and burned. Some lamps are extra tall, and the cotton wick may not reach the bottom of the lamp.The fix is super easy! Simply cut one side of the cotton wick about an inch below the metal fitting as pictured here. The wick portion is now long enough to reach the bottom of tall fragrance lamps.

What is a car diffuser?
Car Scenter Diffusers are plug-in car air fresheners, that still today, are one of the few plug in aroma diffusers scented car air fresheners. The diffusers plugs into any cigarette lighter and gradually warms the heating element in the aromatherapy diffuser.

How does a car diffuser work?
Simply place 2-5 drops of undiluted fragrance oil on the scent pad, insert the scent pad into the aroma tray, and plug the unit into your cigarette lighter. Diffuser uses a heating plate to disburse scent.

What is an Oil Warmer?

Our distinctive Warmers melt specially formulated wax and oil with the heat of a low-watt light bulb or 

heating element, and enhance your home with more than 80 fragrances safely, with no 

flame, smoke, or soot.

How long can I leave my Oil Warmer on?

Go according to the instructions on your Oil Warmer Box. Many do not have a time recommendation, the adjustable ones allow you to adjust the intensity therefore can be left on for longer periods of time. Still not recommended to leave unattended.

How do I clean out my Oil Warmer?
Pour Oil into a disposable container and wipe the warmer with a paper towel.

How do I use my Oil Warmer?
1. Plug in your warmer and turn it on.
2. Your warmer should be approximately 1/4 full of oil.
3. Enjoy!

Can I use Warming Oil in my Fragrance Lamp or Fragrance Lamp Oil in my Oil Warmer?
You can not use warming oil in your Fragrance Lamp, warming oil has been mixed with a carrier oil to prevent burning or scorching. It will not mix with alcohol which is needed for the fragrance oil. Please do not use warming oil in your Fragrance Lamp.
Fragrance Lamp oil is concentrated oil therefore to use in an Oil Warmer it must be mixed with water or a carrier oil.