Are Wax Melts Safe?

August 15, 2024

Wax Melt Safety

Best Wax Melts: Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good wax melt?

They’re the unsung heroes of home fragrance, but are they actually safe to use?

Let’s break down wax melt safety: wax types, fragrance oils, IFRA rules, and smart melting.

Grab a cuppa and let’s have a chat.

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Types of Wax Used in Wax Melts

First things first, let's talk about the different types of wax used in wax melts. You've got your paraffin, your soy, your beeswax, your coconut wax, your rapeseed wax, and even some fancy blends like para soy.

Each has its own traits, but we’ll focus on the two most popular options:

Paraffin Wax: (and Not the Villain)

Paraffin wax is the most common type of wax used in wax melts, and it's not without good reason.

It's affordable, offers excellent scent throw, and comes in various forms perfect for melting. Now, paraffin sometimes gets a bad rap because it's derived from petroleum.

But before you raise an eyebrow, let me assure you, the paraffin wax used in candles and melts goes through a rigorous refining and purification process to remove any impurities, making it safe for use in your home.

In fact, it's so safe that even big name brands like Yankee Candle, Scentsy, and Partylite use paraffin or paraffin blends in their products.

Let’s Talk About That Refining Process

Fractional Distillation	The journey of paraffin wax begins with crude oil, which is a mixture of many different substances. Fractional distillation separates these substances based on their boiling points.One of the components collected during this process is slack wax, which still contains some oil.
De oiling / Sweating	The slack wax then goes through a de oiling or sweating process. This involves heating the wax, which causes the oil to separate and drain away. This step is repeated multiple times to ensure as much oil as possible is removed.
Purification	The wax then undergoes further purification steps, such as filtration and decolourisation. These processes remove any remaining impurities and colour, resulting in a pure, white paraffin wax that's safe and perfect for making wax melts.

Soy Wax: (with Considerations)

Soy wax, derived from soybean oil, is another popular choice for wax melts, especially among those who prefer natural products. It's a renewable resource, burns cleanly, and has a decent scent throw.

However, it's important to note that large scale soy production has been linked to deforestation and other environmental concerns.

Good news: You can still enjoy soy wax melts with a clear conscience by choosing brands that use ethically sourced soy wax.

“Natural” Claims

Let's be honest, those "natural" labels on candles and wax melts don't always tell the whole story.

While the wax base, whether it's soy, coconut, beeswax, or even paraffin, might be perfectly fine, added fragrances can complicate things.

Synthetic fragrance oils, often used to create scents like bubblegum or baby powder, aren't exactly natural.

So, while your unscented wax melt might be genuinely natural, those scented varieties might not be as "pure" as the marketing suggests.

If you're seeking truly natural products, stick to unscented options or those that explicitly use essential oils.

(Certain essential oils can be toxic to pets)

Some essential oils can be irritating or harmful for pets, especially cats. My melts are made with fragrance oils rather than neat essential oils, but it is still sensible to keep burners out of reach of curious paws, never let pets lick or eat wax, and keep rooms ventilated. If you have pets with known respiratory issues, speak to your vet before using any strong home fragrance.

"Eco" and “Natural”: What That Really Means

Criteria	What it means
Natural Wax Base	The melt uses a wax from renewable sources such as soy, coconut or rapeseed. These plant based waxes are typically biodegradable and can have a lower environmental impact when sourced responsibly. Note: Beeswax is natural but not vegan.
Natural Fragrance	Scent from essential oils or naturally derived fragrance oils (not fully synthetic only). Essential oils come directly from plants and can offer aromatherapy benefits. Natural fragrance oils are botanically sourced but may be processed.
Sustainable Sourcing	Wax and fragrance sourced ethically and responsibly (look for suppliers with traceability and fair practices).
Eco Friendly Packaging	Minimal, recyclable or biodegradable packaging materials.
Transparency	Clear disclosure of ingredients, sourcing and production processes.
Vegan Friendly	No animal derived ingredients in wax, fragrance, dyes or adhesives. Can be tricky, even some dyes/adhesives may have animal origins.

Dayas Essence wax melts are crafted with a special paraffin wax blend, known for its strong scent throw. The fragrance materials I use are not tested on animals and are free of parabens, phthalates, and sulphates. Additionally, the pots are recyclable.

Fragrance Oils: Let’s Talk Sensitivities

Now, for the juicy part—fragrance oils!

These are the magical concoctions that make wax melts smell so darn good. They're a blend of natural extracts and synthetic aroma chemicals, carefully crafted to create unique and evocative fragrances. While most people enjoy these scents without any issues, some folks can be sensitive to certain fragrance components. Common Fragrance Sensitivities:

Fragrance chemical	Commonly found in
Citral	Fresh, zesty citrus scents.
Limonene	Citrus blends (lemon/orange) and “clean” styles.
Linalool	Lavender, floral, spa-style fragrances.
Geraniol	Rose, geranium and some citrus scents.
Eugenol	Spiced notes like cinnamon and clove; autumn blends.

Don't worry, though! I take sensitivities seriously. However, it's worth noting that some of my scents may contain a small number of these common sensitisers, as this is often necessary to achieve the desired fragrance profile. You'll find this is common practice with other reputable brands as well.

The Fragrance Police: IFRA & CLP Keep Things Safe

The scent is the star, but safety is non negotiable. Enter IFRA and CLP.

But have you ever wondered how we ensure those fragrances are safe for you to enjoy? That's where the fragrance police come in, a dynamic duo known as the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) and CLP regulations.

What does IFRA do? They set strict standards for each and every fragrance ingredient, including both natural & essential oils and synthetic man made lab fragrance oils.

These standards determine the maximum safe usage level of each individual fragrance oil or essential oil in various products.

It's like having a personal bodyguard for every scent,& making sure it doesn't overstep its boundaries and cause any harm.

They do this by providing a unique IFRA document for each fragrance, specifying the maximum percentage that particular oil can be used in different products.

For example, a certain fragrance might be allowed up to 2% in lotions, but a whopping 100% in candles or wax melts.

This doesn't mean you should douse your wax melts in a whole bottle of fragrance oil (though that might sound tempting!), but it does mean the fragrance has been rigorously tested and deemed safe for use at any concentration in candle making, as long as the wax base is formulated to handle the higher fragrance load.

CLP Regulations: The Labelling Gurus

Now, let's talk about CLP regulations (Classification, Labelling, and Packaging).

These regulations require us makers to be completely transparent about what's in our wax melts, even at the specific concentrations we use. We have to label our products clearly, highlighting any potential allergens or irritants.

This way, you know exactly what you're getting and can make informed decisions about which fragrances are right for you.

At Daya’s Essence, Your Safety Is My Priority

I'm committed to providing wax melts that are not only beautifully scented but also safe for you to enjoy.

I adhere to both IFRA standards and CLP regulations, and I go the extra mile by having the safety data sheets for each fragrance oil recalculated to reflect the specific 30% fragrance load used in every wax melt.

It's a costly investment, but your wellbeing is worth it!

This means you can rest easy knowing that every melt has been thoroughly assessed for safety, allowing you to indulge in your favourite fragrances with complete peace of mind

Wax Melt Fires? Let’s Debunk That Myth

Okay, let's address the elephant in the room: wax melt safety.

Now, I know you might've stumbled upon some hair raising tales of wax melts causing chaos and flames.

But fear not, these are mostly tall tales and misunderstandings, often caused by unsafe practices rather than the wax melts themselves.

Wax melt fires are extremely rare, and when they do occur, it's usually due to things like stacking tealight candles on top of one another, using small stumpy oil burners that aren't designed for wax melts, using scented tealight candles that burn too hot, placing your burner near drafts or fabrics, and so on.

The list of potential mishaps is long, but it's important to remember that these are all preventable with a bit of common sense and caution.

Rule	Why it matters
Never leave unattended	Don’t leave a melt going when you’re not around.
Don’t overfill	Stick to the recommended amount for your burner.
Away from little ones & pets	Melted wax is hot.
No snacking	Smell, don’t eat. Kids can mistake snapbars for chocolate.
Protect your pipes	Never pour melted wax down sinks; it solidifies and blocks plumbing.
Handle with care	Burners stay hot — let them cool before moving.
No water or fragrance oils	Only wax melts in the dish.
Keep it clean	Remove debris from wax and tealight.
Tealight tips	Use one 4-hour unscented tealight only. No stacking; no 8-hour candles.
No freezer tricks	Don’t put burners in the freezer to remove wax.
Heat-proof surface	Always place on a heat-safe surface, away from drafts and fabrics.

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, wax melts are a wonderful way to create a cosy and fragrant atmosphere in your home.

As long as you use them responsibly and follow these simple safety tips, you can melt away your worries and enjoy the beautiful scents without any drama.