What Are Wax Melts and How Do They Work?
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A beginner’s guide to one of the simplest and most satisfying ways to fill your home with fragrance.
If you’ve ever wondered what wax melts actually are, you’re not alone. They look a little like miniature candles, yet they don’t have wicks or flames. So how do they work, and why have they become such a popular way to scent a home?
Let’s open the pages of The Library and explore.
What Are Wax Melts?
Wax melts are small pieces of scented wax that release fragrance when warmed. Unlike candles, they don’t burn, instead, the wax gently melts, allowing the fragrance oils inside to evaporate and perfume the air.
They’re typically used with two types of warmers:
- Tealight burners, which use the flame of a tealight beneath a dish to warm the wax.
- Electric burners, which use a built-in heating element, are completely flame-free.
In both cases, it’s the heat that does the work, not combustion. The wax itself never burns away; it simply melts and cools again when the burner is switched off.
How Do Wax Melts Release Their Scent?
When the wax begins to warm, the fragrance oils blended within it are gently heated. This causes the oils to evaporate into the air, filling the space with scent.
The process is simple:
- The wax cube is placed into the top of a burner.
- Heat softens and then melts the wax.
- The fragrance oils rise, creating that rich, enveloping aroma.
Because wax melts don’t rely on a flame, the fragrance remains truer to its original composition, and the scent can often feel stronger and more consistent than a candle’s burn.
Why Choose Wax Melts Over Candles?
There are a few reasons wax melts have become a home-fragrance favourite:
- Instant scent payoff: They release fragrance quickly, often within minutes.
- Customisable strength: You can add one cube for a light scent, or two for something stronger.
- Flexible use: Swap scents easily without needing to burn through an entire candle.
- Cost-effective: A pack of wax melts often offers hours more fragrance per pound than a candle.
For many, wax melts are the easiest way to build a scent mood, whether that’s calm and relaxing, fresh and energising, or warm and comforting.
Do Wax Melts Evaporate or Disappear?
No, the wax doesn’t evaporate.
As it melts and cools, it simply releases all the fragrance oil it holds. Once the scent fades, the wax can be removed and replaced with a new cube.
That’s one of the reasons soy wax (like the one used in The Scented Vale’s wax melts) is such a popular choice, it melts cleanly, holds fragrance beautifully, and cools back to a smooth, reusable form.
A Moment to Remember
There’s something quietly ritualistic about melting wax, that gentle glow, the soft scent that unfolds slowly through the room. It’s scent at its simplest, but also at its most evocative, a small moment that fills the air with memory.
Ready to Begin Your Scent Journey?
Discover our long-lasting wax melts, hand-poured in Manchester and crafted to transform your space through scent and story.