How to Use Wax Melts [With and Without Burner]

Wax melts are typically tiny bits of scented wax pieces that come in the form of a small block of wax, cubes, or other various designs.

Unlike traditional candles, wax melts are not burned; instead, they are melted in a unique burner to release their fragrance.

Wax melts are usually made from a blend of paraffin wax and beeswax, which gives them a smooth, creamy texture.

They are available in a wide range of colors and fragrances, making them a popular choice for use in both home fragrance and aromatherapy.

When used in an aroma oil or wax warmer, wax melts can help to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere in the room.

A number of people are curious about how to use wax melts. Do you need a burner? How do you melt the wax?

What are the advantages of using wax melts? So, in this blog post, I’ll answer all your questions and show you how to use wax melts both with and without a burner.

Using a Burner for Wax Melts

Now, this is the easiest and cheapest way to enjoy the scent of wax melts. Just warm them in a tea light, or electric wax melt warmer and enjoy the fragrance.

If you want to use a burner safely, there are a few things you need to know.

First, you’ll need to choose the right burner for your needs. There are many different types of burners available on the market, so take some time to research which one could be best for you.

Once you’ve chosen the right burner, it’s essential to follow the instructions that come with it. This will help to ensure that you use the burner safely and effectively.

Now, let’s look at how to use scented wax melts on a burner.

Start by placing your chosen scented wax melt into the bowl of the burner.

You can choose from the options such as soy wax or paraffin wax. Companies such as Febreze and Farm Raised Candles offer lots of varieties available to choose from. And you can get them online at very affordable pricing.

If you’re using an electric wax melt warmer, turn it on to the lowest setting. If you’re using a tea light burner, place a lit tea light underneath the bowl.

Allow the scented wax to melt completely before adding more. This will help to prevent the wax from becoming too hot and causing a fire hazard.

Once the scented wax has melted, you’ll notice the fragrance is released into the room.

If the scent is too low, you can add more wax until you reach the desired fragrance level.

But if the smell is too strong, you’ll need to add some unscented wax melts to the burner to adjust the scent to your liking.

When you’re finished using the wax melts, turn off the heat source and allow the wax to solidify before removing it from the burner. Once the wax has cooled, it can be disposed of in the trash.

How many wax melts should you use?

This will generally depend on the size of the room you’re trying to fragrance. For a small space, such as a bathroom, only one wax cube melt will do the job.

Also, for a medium-sized room, it’s good not to use not more than one at a time if you are using wax cubes.

But for a large room, such as a living room or bedroom, you should use more wax melts to freshen up the room.

I use Happy Wax wax melt bears (2-3 bears at a time). But wax tarts and bars are also a good choice for large rooms.

You can use them depending on the desired fragrance intensity you like to have in a room.

Using Scented Wax Melts Without a Burner

Let’s assume you were given some Scentsy wax melts as a gift or as a sample to try from someone.

And although they are affordable, you don’t want to spend money on a ceramic oil warmer or an electric burner.

Well, in that case, there are still plenty of ways that you can enjoy the fragrance of wax melts.

1- Stove Method

One way is to place the wax melts in a small stainless steel bowl. Place this bowl within another medium-sized pot filled with water and heat the pot on a stovetop or a hot plate.

The heat will melt the wax and release the fragrance. You can then take this small bowl to your room and place it in the corner to enjoy the scent while working or sleeping.

2- Microwave Method

Another exciting way to use complex wax melts without a burner is to place them in an oven.

You have to preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and place the wax melts in an oven-safe dish. Allow them to melt completely before removing them from the oven.

Be careful when using this method, as melting wax cubes or beads can cause a fire hazard. You have to keep a close eye on the melting wax and remove it from the oven as soon as it’s melted.

3- DIY Wax Burner Method with a Mason Jar

Making a homemade wax warmer is easier than you think. You need a mason jar, a light tea candle, and a shallow dish.

Place the light tea candle in the bottom of the mason jar and place the shallow container on top.

Now, add a few wax beads or melts to the dish and enjoy the fragrance. Add a few drops of essential oils to the melted wax for an extra boost of fragrance.

Bonus TIP: Get Strong Scent from Cold Throw Method

Many people also recommend using the “cold throw” method for using candle wax melts without an oil burner or a warmer.

This is simply a method of placing the old or new wax melts in a well-ventilated room and allowing the fragrance to waft through the air.

This is an excellent option if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of melting the wax.

This way, you can even reuse the old melted wax – just use a fan to help circulate the fragrance around the room, and it should work effectively if the wax melts carried a strong scent earlier.

Can You Reuse Wax Melts that Have Been Burnt?

Yes, you can reuse wax melts that have already been used. Just melt them down and pour them into a new mold. You can also add a few drops of essential oil to the melted wax to freshen it up.

A few other uses of wax melts that don’t hold any scent include:

1- Make your furniture polish

2- Waterproofing shoes, boots, and their frayed shoelaces

3- Fixing the zippers on jeans, tents, and bags to make them work again

4- Lubricating the squeaky door hinges or drawers in your kitchen to make them glide smoothly

5- Relieving the pain of bee stings and mosquito bites by applying a small amount of melted wax to the affected area

A Few Disadvantages of Using Wax Melts – Keep Them in Mind

There are pros and cons to using wax melt in a warming tray.

You might already be aware of the excellent benefits it provides, but the disadvantages you should consider a few things before making your final decision are as follows.

1- They can be messy

Wax melts can be a bit messy to handle. When you’re trying to break them apart, small pieces of wax can fly everywhere and land on your furniture or clothes.

2- They can be difficult to clean up

Wax melts can also be difficult to clean up. If you spill them on the floor or any other surface, they will leave a greasy residue that can be hard to remove.

3- They may not last as long as candles

Wax melts usually don’t last as long as candles, so you might find yourself having to replace them more often.

4- They may not be safe for pets

If you have pets, you should be aware that some wax melts can harm them if ingested. It’s important to keep them out of reach of your furry friends.

5- They might not be as strong as you’d like

Lastly, some people find that wax melts aren’t as strong as they would like. You can be disappointed with the results if you’re looking for a powerful fragrance.

FAQs

Does wax melt evaporate, and disappear?

As I mentioned, the fragrance oil is what gives wax melts a smell. When you use a wax melt, the heat from the burner melts the wax and releases the fragrance into the air.

The fragrance oil then evaporates and disappears, leaving behind the wax. The wax will eventually cool down and harden, at which point you can remove it from the burner and dispose of it.

Wax melts don’t technically disappear or expire, but the fragrance does eventually wear off, so they are not meant to be used more than once.

Why is my wax not melting in my warmer?

There are a few reasons your wax might not melt in your warmer.

1- The most common reason is that the warmer is not set to the correct temperature. Most warmers have a dial that you can turn to adjust the heat.

Also, some electric warmers have a bulb that needs specific wattage in order to heat the wax properly. If the wattage you are using is too low, it will not melt the wax or take longer for the wax to melt.

2- Another reason could be that the bowl of your warmer is too shallow. If the bowl is not big enough, the heat from the element will not be able to reach the wax and melt it.

3- The type of wax you’re using might not be compatible with your warmer. Some waxes are designed to be used in specific warmers, so check the instructions before using them.

4- Finally, the element in your warmer might be broken. If the element is not working, it will not be able to heat the wax and melt it.

What else can I use in my wax warmer besides wax?

If you don’t have wax melts available, there are a few different things you can put in your wax warmers.

These include essential oils and liquid potpourri. Sheknows.com also suggests adding diluted fabric softener to the wax warmer which can help spread that wonderful aroma into the dull room.

The conclusion

Overall, wax melts are a great way to enjoy the fragrance of your favorite candles without having to light them, making them much safer to use than candles.

There are also many ways to enjoy the fragrance of wax melts, including with and without using an oil burner or a warmer.

Be sure to follow the safety instructions. It’s fun experimenting with different ways to use your scented wax melts.