Wax melt recipes have become very popular over the recent years. They are used to make homes smell nice. Wax melts are blocks of wax that are warmed to release a nice smell. They are easy and fun to make at home. This allows people to choose their scents. This guide will teach the basics of wax melts. It will explain what materials are needed and how to make different types of wax melts. Useful tips for making perfect wax melts will also be shared.

What are Wax Melts?

Wax melts are small pieces of solid wax that are warmed to release fragrance. They are a great alternative to candles or room sprays. Wax melts do not have a flame so they are safer. The wax slowly melts over a burner and makes the room smell nice. Popular fragrances used in wax melts are floral, bakery, fruity, and seasonal scents.

Benefits of Wax Melts

There are many benefits to using wax melts instead of candles or sprays:

• Safer than candles as there is no open flame
• Release fragrance slowly over hours
• Fun to mix different scents
• Easy to make at home
• Reusable if the wax is not fully melted
• Affordable compared to buying candles

Ingredients for Wax Melts

The main ingredients needed to make wax melts are:

Wax

The most common types of wax used are paraffin wax or soy wax.

Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum. It has an excellent fragrance throw as it holds scent very well. Paraffin melts at a low temperature, allowing fragrance to disperse quickly. It may produce more smoke and residue compared to soy wax.

Soy wax is made from soybean oil. It burns cleaner than paraffin wax. Soy wax has a lower melting point so fragrances may not last as long. However, it is more environmentally friendly. Soy wax is also easier to clean up if spilled.

No matter which way you choose, use good quality products from a reputable supplier. Low-grade wax may not melt properly or hold fragrance well. Investing in high-grade ingredients is worth the results.

Fragrance Oils

Fragrance oils are blended aromatic oils that scent wax melts. There are thousands of different oil options to choose from. Common categories include floral, fruit, bakery, spicy, and seasonal scents.

When selecting fragrance oils, read reviews on scent throw strength. Some oils like lavender or vanilla disperse stronger than lighter scents like melon. Using too little fragrance oil is one of the biggest mistakes when making wax melts. Be generous with oils for optimum fragrance impact.

As with wax, source high-quality fragrance oils. Cheap oils may smell synthetic rather than authentic. They can also diminish quickly once melted. Spend a little more on fragrance oils that will impress!

Dye (Optional)

Adding dye gives fun color options for custom-designing wax melts. Liquid or blocks of color dye are safe choices. Start with just a drop or chip, as the dye is highly pigmented. Then gradually add more until the desired shade is reached.

Be cautious when handling dyes to avoid stains. Use separate mixing tools just for dyes. Store any leftover mixed colors separately too.

Containers and Molds

Wax melt molds come in all shapes, styles, and materials. Common molds are made of silicone, plastic, or metal. The mold chosen may depend on the wax type and desired effect.

Containers to hold scoopable wax melt dough are also handy. Jars, tins, or silicone baking molds with lids work well for portioning shapes.

Consider if melts will be given as gifts. Cute molded shapes or decorative tins have extra appeal for presenting wax melts.

Following these guidelines for ingredients and supplies will pave the way for homemade wax melt success! Let your creativity shine.

Types of Wax Melts

There are two main textures of wax melts: squeezable and scoopable. Each type is made differently.

Squeezable Wax Melts

Squeezable wax melts have a smooth, creamy texture. They go from solid to liquid quickly when warmed. The squeezable texture makes them easy to use.

Here is a recipe for squeezable wax melts:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb paraffin wax
• 2 oz fragrance oil
• 2 tsp dye (optional)
• Silicone molds

Instructions:

Melting the Wax

The first step is to melt the wax. It is crucial to use a heat-safe bowl or double boiler as the wax gets extremely hot. Avoid nonstick cookware as the coating can mix into wax. Slowly heat on medium, stirring occasionally until the wax is just melted. Do not let wax reach a rolling boil. Overheating can scorch wax, reducing scent throw.

Mixing in Fragrance and Dye

Once the wax is melted, immediately remove it from heat. Let cool for 5-7 minutes so not piping hot. Then mix in fragrance oils and optional dye. The cooling period helps the additives fully blend rather than separate later. Stir thoroughly for even distribution, at least 2 full minutes. Work quickly before the wax begins hardening.

Pouring into Molds

Carefully pour the completed wax melt liquid into silicone molds or containers. Move slowly to avoid spills or bubbles. If making layered melts, work decisively as layers may set fast. Allow the wax to slightly harden for 30-60 seconds before adding the second layers. This helps prevent blending or overflow.

Setting and Curing

Once poured, wax should fully cure untouched for at least 24 hours before unmolding. Curing allows wax molecules to set properly. If melts seem sticky or delicate once unmolded, allow extra curing time. Proper solidifying also helps melts retain shape for reuse if not fully melted.

Airtight Storage

Finally, store cooled melts in sealed containers away from heat or sunlight. An airtight environment prevents fragrance evaporation over time. High temperatures can also damage the wax texture and scent potency. With proper storage, wax melts can be enjoyed for many months!

When warming the wax, squeezable melts quickly liquefy to release full aromas instantly. The smooth texture also makes them very easy to mix, layer, or shape repeatedly. Enjoy the versatility of homemade squeezable wax melts!

Scoopable Wax Melts

Scoopable wax melts hold their shape better than squeezable melts. They have a thick, doughy texture. Scoopable wax melts are taken out of a container with a scoop tool.

Here is a recipe for scoopable wax melts:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb paraffin wax
• 14 oz coconut oil
• 2 oz fragrance oil
• Dye (optional)
• Container for wax melt dough

Instructions:

Melting Wax and Coconut Oil

Scoopable wax melts using a blend of standard wax and coconut oil. Measure out wax and coconut oil in a safe container. Heat together over medium, stirring frequently until just melted. The coconut oil adds thickness and flexibility versus plain wax.

Adding Scent and Color

Once melted, remove the blend from the heat right away. Allow to slightly cool for 5 minutes so still liquid. Then mix in fragrance oils and dye until fully incorporated. Stir thoroughly so colors and scents distribute evenly throughout.

Pouring into Containers

Next, carefully pour the completed wax blend into storage containers like jars or tins. Containers should have lids for sealing. Allow several hours for the blend to fully set undisturbed. The coconut oil may take longer to solidify completely than plain wax.

Scooping onto Warmers

When ready to use, simply scoop out the desired amount of wax onto a melt warmer. The thicker, doughy texture makes scooping easy. Scoopable wax also retains shape nicely once melted.

Since scoopable wax melts are thicker, they take longer to liquefy than thin melts. However, the appearance and versatility make up for it! They look beautiful displayed in decorative tins or jars too. The doughy texture also allows for taking precise portion sizes for each use.

Scoopable wax is fun for mixing custom color and scent combos in each batch. Try swirling in extra oils or dyes for gorgeous designs! With so many possibilities, scoopable wax melts are wonderful to craft and gift.

Unique Wax Melt Types

Wax melts can be made into other creative textures too. Two examples are jelly wax melts and beeswax melts.

Jelly Wax Melts

Jelly wax melts have an ultra-smooth, jelly-like texture. They completely melt from a solid to a thick liquid. For an interesting sensory experience, touch the melted wax!

Here is a recipe:

Ingredients:

• 14 oz coconut oil
• 10 oz grapeseed oil
• 4 oz beeswax
• Fragrance oil
• Dye (optional)
• Container/molds

Instructions:

Melting Oils and Beeswax

Jelly wax melts using a blend of oils and beeswax instead of paraffin wax. Measure out desired amounts of coconut oil, grapeseed oil, and beeswax into a pan. Slowly warm over low heat while stirring frequently until everything is fully melted and combined.

Mixing in Fragrance and Dye

Once the oils and beeswax blend are liquid, remove the pan from heat right away. Allow to slightly cool for 5-7 minutes so not dangerously hot. Next, mix in fragrance oils and any desired dye. Stir thoroughly for a full 2 minutes for even distribution.

Pouring into Molds

Working swiftly, carefully pour the completed jelly wax mixture into silicone molds or containers. Move slowly and steadily to prevent spills. If making layered jelly melts, allow the wax to set for 1 minute before adding the next colors.

Extended Setting Time

Jelly wax melts require extensive set time due to the oils. Allow the wax to cure undisturbed for at least 12 full hours before unmolding. If melts are at all sticky or misshapen, allow even longer cure times. Proper solidifying helps melts hold shape better when warming.

Intense Aromatics

The beeswax and oils help jelly melts release extra strong aromas. The oils also facilitate melting at lower temperatures to prevent burning. This allows fragrance to fully disperse without wax getting dangerously hot.

Take precautions when melting jelly wax melts due to intensely hot oils. But the results are incredible fragrance and sensory experience! Jelly wax melts look, feel, and smell amazing.

Beeswax Wax Melts

Beeswax is a natural wax made by honey bees. It has a sweet, honey-like scent. Beeswax wax melts are aromatic and burn cleaner than paraffin wax.

Here is a simple beeswax melt recipe:

Ingredients:

• 5 oz beeswax
• 3 oz coconut oil
• Essential oils for fragrance
• Containers/molds

Instructions:

Melting Beeswax and Coconut Oil

Beeswax has a high melting point so requires low, gradual heat. Measure out beeswax and coconut oil pieces into a pan. Warm over low heat, stirring constantly until fully liquid. The coconut oil helps facilitate melting but too much heat can burn the wax.

Adding Essential Oils

Once the beeswax and oil mix are melted, remove the pan from heat right away. Allow to slightly cool for 5 minutes so not dangerously hot. Essential oils can evaporate if the wax is too piping hot when mixed. Add 20-30 drops of chosen essential oils and stir thoroughly for 1-2 minutes.

Pouring into Molds

Working quickly, carefully pour liquid wax into prepared silicone molds or tins. Move slowly and decisively to prevent spills or bubbles. If making layered wax melts, allow beeswax to set for 30-60 seconds before adding the next colors. This helps prevent bleeding into layers.

Full Setting Before Unmolding

Allow beeswax melts to fully cure for at least 12 hours before attempting to unmold. If melts seem at all sticky or misshapen, allow for a longer set time. Proper solidifying helps melts retain shape integrity when warming. Gently loosen around edges with a knife if struggling to release melts.

Take care when melting beeswax as it gets extremely hot. But it also releases a lovely honey-sweet aroma from the wax itself. Beeswax wax melts are natural, aromatic, and environmentally friendly. Beeswax wax melts have many benefits. They use natural ingredients and essential oils. They also burn cleanly without smoke or residue.

Tips for Perfect Wax Melts

Making perfect wax melts takes some practice. Here are useful troubleshooting tips:

Troubleshooting Issues

Problem: Wax isn’t melting properly

Solution: The wax melt burner may not be hot enough. Use a higher heat setting. Also avoid drafts from doors, windows, and vents.

Problem: Weak fragrance

Solution: Add more fragrance oil next time, up to 2 ounces per 1 pound of wax. Using too little oil is a common mistake.

Problem: Wax melts won’t come out of molds

Solution: Allow the wax to be fully set for at least 24 hours before removing it from molds. If still stuck, place the mold in the freezer for 15 minutes.

Storing Wax Melts

To keep wax melts smelling fresh, proper storage is key. Here are some tips:

• Store in an air-tight container to prevent fragrance loss
• Keep wax melts in a cool, dark place like a cupboard
• Avoid places that get too hot like near appliances or in a garage
• Write the name and date on containers for easy reference
• Proper storage will maintain wax melt quality for many months.

As you can see, wax melts are easy and fun to make at home. They allow full customization of shapes, textures, and scents. Be creative and try different ingredient combinations. Use the recipes and tips in this guide to make picture-perfect wax melts every time. Happy wax melting!