Wax melts are an excellent way to make your space smell amazing without the fear of an open flame.  They come in a variety of different shapes, colors, wax types and of course smells.  You can find the perfect scent for your place regardless of your tastes!

Wax melts are normally made using soy wax and are placed into a burner (powered by a candle) or a warmer (powered by electricity).  The burner or warmer slowly heats up the wax and melts it, releasing the fragrance into the air.

Not all wax melts are made equally and their quality differs between makers as well.  There are a few tips and tricks below to help you get started on your wax melt journey.

 

How to use Scented Wax Melts

Generally wax melts are purchased in a plastic casing called a "clamshell".  They look like the photo above and have 6 or 8 cubes that you can use.  With this type of melt, generally all the scent is the same for the whole container.  

Another style, pictured below, is called a "tart".  These are generally small single use melts that are a single scent.  They are usually used as a sample in which you can see if you like the scent and then if you do you can buy a larger size of that scent later on.

There are a variety of different names that wax melts are known as, some of them are: clamshells, melts, tarts, cubes, candle melts, snap bars, wax refills and wax brittle.  They all more or less describe the same product - wax that you melt in a warmer.  The names simply differentiate between the different forms that this wax can come in. 

Not only can the wax melts be found in a solid form, they also can be found in a thick liquid form made of gel or wax mixed with oil.  These types come in a bag with a spout in which you pour into your warmer or burner to enjoy the scent.

Step by Step Guide on How to Use Wax Melts:

1. Open the lid of the clamshell pack or unwrap the tart.
2. If you are using a tart simply place it into the top of your warmer and turn the switch on, or if you are using a burner, light the candle underneath.
3. If you are using a clamshell, cut the wax into equal parts depending on how many spaces are in the container.  
4. Pop the cube out of the container and place into the top of your warmer and turn the switch on, or if you are using a burner, light the candle underneath.
5. Enjoy making all the neighbours envious of your delicious smelling home!

 

When you are finished enjoying your wax melts follow these steps:

1. When you are finished with your wax switch off the warmer or blow out the tealight and let the wax cool and harden.
2. The next time you are ready to use your melts again you can use the same wax that is in your burner again.  Well made wax melts should last for a few days before the fragrance dissipates completely.
3.  To remove the wax from your warmer or burner wait until it is completely cool and hardened.  Press on one side of the wax and it should pop right out of the burner.  If it does not and you cannot get the wax to pop out, melt the wax and use a few paper towels to wipe out the wax when it is warm.  You can also wait until the wax at the bottom is just melted and then try to pop out the semi hard wax.  Be careful while doing this!

 

Different names and forms of Wax Melts

There are a variety of different names that wax melts are known as, some of them are: clamshells, melts, tarts, cubes, candle melts, snap bars, squeezy tubes, wax refills, scoop-able wax, shot pots and wax brittle.  They all more or less describe the same product - wax that you melt in a warmer.  The names simply differentiate between the different forms that this wax can come in. 

Clamshells - When the wax is poured into a plastic case and then sealed shut with a lid.  There are usually 6 to 8 cavities in the case, each called a cube, allowing the user to enjoy the same scent more than once.  You can use one or more cubes in your burner, depending upon the size of the top melting bowl and your preference.

Melts - A generic name used for wax that has been infused with fragrance.

Tarts - When wax has been poured into a mould and then allowed to harden when it is taken out it takes on the shape of the mould.  It is then usually packaged into a bag, labeled and sold as a single use melt.  Designed to be a sample size to try out the scent to see if it is something that you would enjoy for a larger size.

Cubes - The name given to wax melts once you have cut the wax and popped it out of the plastic clamshell packaging.

Candle Melts - Another name for wax melts.  Does not describe a style but is more generic in nature.

Snap Bars - This is when wax is melted and poured into a mould that resembles a candy bar.  The wax hardens in the mould and then can be snapped apart into pieces to use in a warmer or burner.  The snap bars are packaged in bags or wrapped in paper and first became popular in Europe and the UK.

Squeezy Tube - Not only can the wax melts be found in a solid form, they also can be found in a thick liquid form made of gel or wax mixed with oil.  These types come in a bag with a spout in which you pour into your warmer or burner to enjoy the scent.

Wax Refills - Another name for wax melts.  Does not describe a style but is more generic in nature.

Scoop-able Wax - This is when the wax is softer and can be scooped out of a container.  These type of wax melts can come in one of two forms.  A solid form or little tiny wax like "beads" usually shaped into patterns like little hearts or Christmas trees and packaged in a cute jar.  A scoop is provided to customers to add an extra touch.  I also have seen the little "beads" packaged in a Kraft bag where the user pours the shapes into their burner.

Shot Pots - Shot pots are small plastic containers that wax is poured into and allowed to harden.  They are usually made in sauce containers and range in size from small to larger.  This type of wax melt is usually also a single use sample size.

Wax Brittle - This is where wax has been poured onto a large baking sheet so that it is decorated and hardens flat.  It is not poured too thickly because it is then broken apart into pieces and usually packaged in a Kraft bag. These types of wax melts are made to resemble the food "peanut brittle".

Different Types of Waxes Melts Come in

Wax melts can be made with a variety of different types of waxes.  There are many different types of waxes on the market, some of them are: soy, palm, beeswax, paraffin and gel.  Wax melts can be found in any of these types of wax and even be blended with oils such as with squeezy wax.

The most common wax to max melts with is soy.  Soy wax is natural and made from soybeans.  It is a versatile wax that is non toxic and vegan.  It has a low melt point which means that it does not require a lot of heat to melt.  This means it's perfect for wax melts because one of the key features that makes them so popular is that they are not as dangerous to use around small children and pets.  In case there is a spill or someone puts a hand or paw in the wax they are not likely to suffer a burn.  The wax stays at a low temperature. 

Soy wax melts are by far the most popular but there are other types out there on the market for you to try.  Everyone has their own preferences so try out different types and styles of melts for yourself and see which you like best!

Happy melting!

 <3 Jes