How to use wax melts: a beginner’s guide
Your first pack of wax melts, made simple. What you need, how to get started and how to care for your warmer between scents.
A small pack of wax melts can be a lovely introduction to home fragrance. You can try a scent that catches your eye, keep a few favourites for different moods and enjoy the little ritual of choosing one for the evening. If you have never used them before, the first question is usually very practical: what do I actually need?
You will need wax melts and a compatible wax melt warmer. After that, a little care and the instructions supplied with your products will help you get started. Here is our beginner’s guide.
What are wax melts, and how do they work?
Wax melts are pieces of scented wax with no wick. A suitable warmer heats the wax, allowing it to melt and release fragrance into the room. Unlike a candle, the wax is not used up by a wick, so you will still have wax in the dish when the fragrance eventually fades.
Our wax melts come in six-piece packs, including Myrrh & Tonka and Indulgent Spa. The pack gives you portions to use over time; it is not an invitation to put all six into your warmer at once.
1. Choose a warmer designed for wax melts
There are two common options: a tealight wax warmer and an electric wax warmer. A tealight model has an open flame underneath the dish. An electric model uses an electrical heat source, although the dish and melted wax still become hot.
Check that your warmer is specifically intended for wax melts and that your chosen wax is suitable for it. An oil burner or improvised dish is not automatically interchangeable with a wax melt warmer. Keep the instructions somewhere you can find them, especially if this is your first time using it.
2. Add the recommended amount of wax
Remove the packaging and put the recommended portion into the warmer’s clean, dry dish. Follow the capacity guidance for your warmer, allowing room for the wax once it melts. Do not add water, oils or other ingredients to the wax.
More wax is not automatically better. Start with the amount specified by the maker, rather than filling the bowl because you would like a stronger fragrance. You can judge how a scent feels in your room without overfilling the warmer.
3. Enjoy it while you are in the room
Place the warmer on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from curtains, clutter, children and pets. For a tealight model, use only the type and size of tealight specified in its instructions. For an electric model, follow the electrical and operating guidance supplied with it.
Stay in the room while it is in use, keep within the stated time limit and turn it off or extinguish the tealight before leaving. The Essex County Fire and Rescue Service guidance also reminds us that an electric wax warmer should not be left unattended.
4. Let the wax cool before you use it again
When you finish, allow the warmer and wax to cool fully. The wax will become solid again. You can reheat the same wax while it still gives off a fragrance you enjoy, following the same instructions each time.
There is no single number of evenings that every melt will last. The fragrance, amount of wax, warmer and room all make a difference. Check the product details for any guidance, and avoid turning the heat up or extending use beyond the instructions to chase a stronger scent.
5. Change the wax when you are ready for a fresh scent
Follow your warmer’s cleaning instructions to remove the old wax. Some dishes or suitable removable liners allow cooled wax to be released gently; other designs need a different method. Do not force it out with a knife or pour melted wax into a sink.
Keep electrical parts dry, and clean and dry the dish as directed before adding a new fragrance. If you are unsure how your particular warmer should be cleaned, check with its maker rather than trying a hot-water or freezer trick you have seen online.
Choosing your first wax melt scent
Pick a fragrance that sounds like something you already enjoy. Myrrh & Tonka is a lovely place to explore sweetness and spice, while our autumn scent guide gives you a few broader scent families to consider.
If you are still deciding between formats, have a read of candles versus wax melts. Otherwise, browse the Serenity collection and choose something lovely for your next evening in.
