Can you add more scent to wax melts?

Wax melts are wick-less cubes of wax and fragrance that melt in a wax warmer to deliver fragrance to a room, and they’re very easy to make!

You can create them using almost any wax combined with essential oils, fragrance oils, and any number of interesting decorations and colors.  They’re a great choice for scenting a room or area without worrying about a lit candle or an open flame.

In this guide you’ll learn:

1. How wax melts are different from candles and why that matters
2. Which equipment and supplies you’ll need to make them
3. How to make incredible wax melts
4. Answers to common questions about wax melts

How are wax melts different than candles?

Melts come in all sorts of different shapes, sizes, colors, and scents but ultimately serve the same purpose: to melt over a hot surface and release fragrance into a room.

You can think of wax melts as a sister to candles with the most obvious difference being the size and wick – wax melts have no wick.

If you’re learning to make them yourself, you’ll find it has a much shorter learning curve than candles.

Wicks are the most difficult part of a candle design because improper wicking leads to safety issues and can even ruin the hot throw of your candle.  Melts (also called “tarts” by some sellers) work around this problem by simply melting the wax over a hot plate.

Hot plates, like flames on wicks, range in temperature which can change how effective a melt is.

For the most part wax melts last 3-12 hours before evaporating all their scent.

When making wax melts yourself there are four guiding principles to follow.

1. Wax type makes a difference

Melts go through four stages in life:

1. Poured directly into a mold
2. Removed from the mold
3. Placed into a warmer
4. Removed from the warmer

Since they’re “removed” from somewhere multiple times, waxes that “release” them easier are often better to use.

The technical term is called “mold release”.

Another property that helps, but isn’t always required, is a higher melt point.

Waxes with lower melt points may not hold up in warmer conditions, whether that’s storage or shipping, and end up being a sloppy mess.  None of that matters if you’re in the right climate or not concerned with their pre-melting appearance in any way.

Three proven waxes for wax melts

2. Different warmers produce different results

You might create the perfect wax melt but if it’s used in a warmer that’s too hot or too cool you won’t get the best performance from it.

The theory goes, every wax melt has an ideal melt pool temperature range for scent throw.  It’s different for every wax melt design because it depends on factors like wax, fragrance oil, and any additives used in the candle.

If the warmer heats the wax up too hot, most of the notes will evaporate before they have a chance to lift off into local air currents.  Too cool, and there won’t be enough activity at all.

Just like Goldilocks, finding a warmer that heats your wax melt in the right range ensures MAXIMUM scent throw.

Fortunately, wax melts are quite forgiving and you shouldn’t struggle too much to make it work.

3. You can add a lot of items to melts that can’t be added to candles

The bummer about candles is how sensitive they are to particular ingredients.

Since the primary method of burning is an open flame supported by a wick, anything that doesn’t agree with EITHER of those items is completely off limits.

For example, small particle-based colors (pigments) like crayons or mica powder will actually clog the wick – and it doesn’t take much.  Clogged wicks won’t draw enough fuel to support the fire and will make the candle self extinguish.

On the other hand, an open flame means there’s a strong potential for items to burn if the wrong ingredients are used.  Some people add literal coffee beans and leaves to their candles in excess which either burn or get torched and give off a horrible smell.

Wax melts solve both of those problems.

Since the wax melt just has to melt without a wick or open flame, you can use most of those off-limits ingredients like glitter or mica powder.  Both offer a plethora of creative options for making melts.

4. No shape or color is off limits

The other major benefit of a wax melt is that you have full creative license over the shape and color!

Some people feel restricted by candle making because you only have a few options for shapes and sizes.  While there are some interesting candle shapes, they’re either A) too decorative to perform well or B) completely impractical for burning.

While this tutorial is completed using standard clamshell molds, you can pour wax melts into literally any shape you want!

The ability to create silicone molds into anything you want unlocks millions of varieties and is only limited by your creativity.

Gather the right equipment and supplies

The double boiler method is the most cost effective way to properly melt wax.

Some tutorials suggest using a microwave but this leads to hot spots and difficult temperature management.

In a double boiler system the wax melts in a container that’s sitting in boiling water.  Although quick to get started and easy for controlling temperature, it can take a little longer to melt wax and has limited batch capacity.

Before proceeding, gather everything you need up front so you don’t have to scramble once you start.

Equipment

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• 4-cup measuring glass (to hold wax)
• Pot filled with water large enough to hold the measuring glass
• Stove top or hot plate (to heat the double boiler)
• Spatula or wooden spoon
• Kitchen scale
• Small glass or plastic cup (for measuring fragrance oil)
• Thermometer (IR or candy is fine)

Supplies

Suggested quantity fits a small double boiler.

Batch size: 7 clamshell molds.

How to make wax melts

1. Choose a fragrance recipe

You can make this step as complicated or as easy as you want, but it really comes down to personal preference.

For wax melts you can use:

• Fragrance oil – available at hobby shops and candle suppliers.  Make sure they’re made for candles.
• Essential oil – available at a lot of places, not just hobby stores.

You’re more likely to have a successful scent strength if you start with fragrance oils, especially if you’ve never made wax melts or candles before.  They’re typically less expensive and are designed to stand up to the heat.

Essential oils are more expensive and carry a hint more of risk with skin exposure or other sensitivities.

Here’s a few popular essential oil blends to use from Loving Essential Oils.

Remember, the total needs to add up to 1 ounce of “oil” if you combine anything.

• Bedtime | Lavender + Vetiver
• Happiness | Bergamot + Lavender
• Relaxation | Tangerine + Patchouli
• Self-Assured | Grapefruit + Fennel

Ultimately there are no rules for “what to blend”.  And honestly, you don’t have to blend anything together to make this work.

You can use a fragrance or essential oil by itself in your recipe which works just fine!

2. Measure wax into the measuring glass

Using a kitchen scale, weigh out 1 pound (454 grams) of candle wax into a glass measuring cup.

Be careful not to accidentally include the weight of the measuring glass!

3. Melt wax in double boiler

Fill your pot with water and place it over medium heat on a stove or hot plate.

Place the measuring glass filled with wax into the water and allow it to begin melting.

4. Measure fragrance oil

In a small disposable or glass cup that you don’t intend on drinking out of, measure 1 ounce (28 grams) of fragrance oil.

If you’re blending, make sure the TOTAL amount of fragrance oils equal 1 ounce (so half an ounce of one plus half an ounce of another, for example).

Set the measured fragrance oil aside.

5. Mix fragrance oil and color when the wax reaches 185°F/85°C

Once the wax is completely melted and the temperature is between 185°F (85°C) and 200°F (93°C), remove it from the heat and stir in fragrance oil and any colors for 2 minutes.

Make sure to lightly stir the wax before taking the temperature for the most accurate reading.

For color, you can use as much or as little as you please.  Experiment to find what you like best!

6. Pour into molds at approximately 160°F/71°C

Gently stir the blend until it reaches a temperature between 160°F and 170°F before pouring it into your clamshell or silicone molds.

If pouring into the molds is too difficult to do without spilling, you can transfer the melted & mixed blend into a small metal coffee creamer for the final pour, but make sure to do this while the blend is still hot since it will dramatically lower the temperature.

Additionally, if you place your molds on the edge of a table it can be easier to transfer from your measuring glass.

7. Allow the melts to cure

After pouring you might be tempted to pop those suckers in the wax melter as soon as they’re “dry”, but make sure to let them sit a bit longer!

Unlike candles, you don’t need to cure wax melts for the same amount of time.  Since the entire cube just melts into a melt pool, there’s no need to accommodate the micro-movements of fragrance inside the wax structure.

Allow the wax melts to sit for at least 48-72 hours before using them to make sure they have a chance to stabilize.  Your chosen wax type will drive the behavior of the melt, but most are fine to use after 3 days of curing.

8. Place melts in a warmer and enjoy!

Place your melt in a warmer and take in the great fragrance!

Check out a few of the questions below if your melts aren’t behaving how you expect them to.

Common wax melt questions

What if I can’t remove the wax from the mold?

Your wax might not have great “mold release” or the mold isn’t well suited for candle wax.

In any case, the easiest way to get melts out without damaging them is to place them in the freezer for an hour or so and then try to remove them.

Wax shrinks in the cold – hopefully your mold doesn’t shrink too.

How long do wax melts last?

The length of time a melt will fragrance a room depends on a lot of factors.

Warmers that run very hot will evaporate more of the notes quicker compared to cooler temperature wax warmers.

Typically, wax melts last between 3 hours and 3 days of normal use, but your mileage may vary!

Can I use any wax to make melts?

You can use any wax to make wax melts, but some are better for it than others (as advertised).  You’ll want to look for wax that has:

• Higher melt points (125°F – 145°F work best)
• Good mold release – this is usually advertised as “tart” or “wax melt” wax. 

From above, these three waxes work well for making wax melts.

Another common option is to mix beeswax with coconut wax.  Coconut wax has a lower melt point and less structure, but adding beeswax raises it and helps other properties too.

Use two parts beeswax to one part coconut.

What should I do if I can’t smell the wax melt?

If you can’t find a fragrance that throws at all try the first item.  If that doesn’t work, try the second.

1. Move the warmer to a different room.  Sometimes it’s just a matter of air currents that don’t behave.
2. Use a different fragrance oil OR completely different wax warmer.  Some fragrance oils and essential oils aren’t well equipped for certain waxes in certain temperature ranges.

Does adding more fragrance oil to the wax increase the scent throw?

No.

Think of the fragrance as the fuel and the wax warmer as the delivery system.  Adding more fuel doesn’t necessarily make the delivery system work more effectively.

It CAN make an impact at times, but if you’re getting NO scent then it’s likely an imbalance of other items and has less to do with the raw amount of fragrance oil in your system.

Additionally, low quality fragrance, just like low quality fuel, won’t give you the results you’re looking for either.  Sometimes investing in a slightly better fragrance can improve your scent experience ten fold!

Watch More

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