Do Wax Melts Evaporate?
Candle Melts: Learn why wax melts don’t burn away like candles, how heat releases fragrance molecules, and why the wax stays behind while only the scent disappears.
UK guide answering the question “do wax melts evaporate?”. Explains how candles use combustion to consume wax, how wax melts release fragrance through diffusion, why wax does not disappear, and why wax melts last longer than candles. Last updated: .
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Glossary
- Candle combustion
- The burning process that melts wax and releases fragrance molecules through flame heat.
- Wax melt diffusion
- The gentle release of fragrance using electric or tealight warmers without burning the wax.
- Fragrance molecules
- Tiny scent particles released faster in warm air and slower in cooler air.
- Home fragrance
- The combination of wax, fragrance oil, and heat that scents a room.
The Science Behind Candles vs Wax Melts
Let's get real about home fragrance and the science behind those heavenly scents.
We've got two contenders in this corner:
The classic scented candle and the trendy wax melt.
Each one has its own unique way of filling your space with delightful scent, but what's actually happening on a molecular level?
| Home Fragrance Breakdown |
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Candles • A Fiery AffairCandles, the old school charmers of the fragrance world, rely on a fiery affair called combustion. When you light the wick, the flame melts the wax, turning it from a solid into a liquid. 
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The Combustion ProcessThis liquid wax is then drawn up the wick, where it's vaporised by the heat. These vaporised wax molecules then mingle with oxygen in the air, creating a beautiful dance of light, heat, and fragrance. The downside? This combustion process gradually consumes the wax, leaving you with an empty jar and a fading memory of the scent. 
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Wax Melts • A Gentle EmbraceWax melts, on the other hand, are the cool, collected cousins of candles, opting for a gentler approach. No flames here, just a warm embrace that slowly melts the wax. As the wax melts, the fragrance molecules it holds captive are set free, wafting into the air and tickling your nose with their delightful aromas. 
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The Melting ProcessThe key difference? The wax itself doesn't disappear. It simply changes from a solid to a liquid and back again as it cools, so you can enjoy the same wax melt multiple times until the fragrance eventually fades. 
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The Science BitThe difference between candles and wax melts lies in the fate of the wax itself. In candles, the wax is a fuel for the flame, undergoing a chemical reaction (combustion) that transforms it into other substances,including those lovely fragrance molecules. In wax melts, there's no combustion, so the wax remains largely unchanged. It's like a magic trick where the fragrance disappears into thin air, leaving the wax behind to perform its aromatic act again and again. 
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Candles vs Wax Melts: Which One Wins?
It's a matter of personal preference and how you want to experience fragrance in your space.
| Candles | Wax Melts |
|---|---|
| Candles provide aesthetic benefits like ambiance and home decor, but also offer mental and emotional benefits such as stress relief, mood improvement, and relaxation through aromatherapy and focusing on the flame. | Wax melts are beneficial because they offer a safer, flameless alternative to candles, provide a long lasting and strong fragrance, and are a cost effective and versatile way to scent a home. |
| They can also aid in activities like meditation, yoga, and sleep. | They come in a wide variety of scents, and you can mix and match them to create custom fragrances. Wax stays in the dish, only scent evaporates. |
Ultimately, the choice is yours! If you prefer longer lasting, highly scented home fragrance without the flame, check out our collection of luxury wax melts.
