What Are Wax Melts and How Do You Use Them?
Strongest Smelling Wax Melts UK: a straight talking guide to what wax melts are, how to use them properly, why many people switch from candles, and the practical safety basics that actually matter.
Written in the UK by a wax melt maker with CLP and IFRA awareness. This article explains what wax melts are, how to use wax melts correctly, why many people switch from candles to wax melts, and the basic safety and care tips for burners, tealights, and wax removal. Last updated: .
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Glossary
- Wax melts
- Scented wax pieces that melt in a warmer to release fragrance without a wick.
- Wax warmer
- A device used to heat wax melts, either electric or tealight powered.
- Tealight warmer
- A wax warmer heated by a tealight. Use unscented 4-hour tealights and never stack them.
- Soot
- Black residue that can be produced by candle flames, especially with poor airflow.
- Scent throw
- How strongly a fragrance is released while the wax is warming.
Let's be real, candles are great and all, but they've got some drawbacks.
Open flames, soot, and that whole fire hazard thing can be a bit of a buzzkill.
Enter wax melts, the unsung heroes of home fragrance.
These little beauties are basically scented wax cubes that melt when heated, releasing their fragrance without any of the candle drama.
Wax melts vs candles: five practical reasons to switch
| No flame, no problem | Wax melts are heated by a warmer, not a flame. This means no fire risk, no soot, and no worries about accidentally burning down your house while you're trying to chill. |
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| Long-lasting fragrance | A little wax melt can go a long way. You can melt and re-melt them until the scent is gone, getting way more bang for your buck than a candle. |
| Variety is the spice of life | Wax melts come in a mind-boggling array of scents, from fresh and clean to warm and cosy , even the smell of fresh cut grass. You can even find seasonal and holiday scents to keep things interesting. |
| Easy peasy | Using wax melts is a breeze. Pop one in your warmer, turn it on, and let the good times roll. No matches, no wicks, no fuss. |
| Cheaper than candles | Wax melts are a fraction of the price of candles, so you can indulge in your scent obsession without breaking the bank. |
How to use wax melts: step by step basics
| Unwrap the goodness | First things first, get that wax melt out of its packaging. It's been dying to escape! Use a safe amount of wax in your burner make sure not to use too much that the wax over fills the dish. |
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| Melt away | Pop that bad boy into the warmer and let the magic happen. The wax will start to melt, filling your home with delicious smells within minutes. |
| Chill and repeat | Once the warmer's off, the wax will harden back up. But unlike a candle, a wax melt is a gift that keeps on giving. Keep melting it until the scent fades away, wax melts don't evaporate like candles. Want to get the most from your melts, see my blog on top tips link below. |
| Clean break | Ready for a new scent? Wait until the wax is a bit melted, then give it a gentle nudge. It should slide right out. Use a cotton ball to soak up any leftover wax and toss it in the bin. Simple as that. See my blog on methods to cleaning your burner dish link below. |
Wax melt safety tips: pets, pipes, tealights
| Keep an eye on it | Don't leave your warmer unattended, especially around curious pets or kids. Melted wax is hot, and we don't want any waxed fur or fingers. |
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| Easy on the wax | Don't overfill your warmer. A little wax goes a long way, and nobody likes a waxy mess. |
| No snacking | Wax melts are for smelling, not eating. So, unless you're into weird diets, keep them away from your mouth. |
| Don’t be a plumber’s nightmare | Please, for the love of all things good, don't pour melted wax down the drain. Your pipes will thank you. |
| Let it cool | Your warmer will be hot even after you turn it off. Let it cool down completely before you touch it. |
| No funny business | Water, fragrance oils, and random debris have no place in your wax melt burner. Keep it clean, and it'll keep you happy. |
| Tea light tips | If you're using a tea light warmer, use only unscented 4-hour tea lights, and never stack them. Overheating is a burner's worst enemy. See my blog to see what the difference is between tealight burners and oil burners and safety tips, Link below. |
Ready to ditch the candle habit?
Tired of fragrances that barely scent your room? Dayas Essence wax melts are not for the faint-hearted – our wax melts pack a punch with 3 times MORE fragrance oil than the average melt.
That’s a whopping 30% concentration for intense, long lasting scent
(** Traditional concentrations tend to be usually between 8% / 10% **)
Check out my collection of intensely fragrant wax melts and fall in love with a longer-lasting, and more versatile way to scent your home.
