Wax melts are a common way to fragrance your home, but they are often made with harsh artificial fragrances. Herbal melts are a natural alternative made with soy wax, essential oils, and herbs. When the scented wax cubes melt over the wax melt warmer, the scent is released, allowing for herbal rituals while keeping the dried plant material safely away from the candle flame. Wax melts are easy to make at home and make great homemade gifts.
Ready to make wax melts? In this post…
What is wax melt?
Wax melts are scented wax squares that are melted in a ceramic vase heated with electricity or candles to release the wax scent. Melting and warming the wax is a way to get the most out of your candle’s scent and warmth without using a flame.
The advantage of a warmer is that you can decorate your projects with plants and dried herbs without worrying about catching fire. Electric options can also help protect homes with small children and pets from fires.
How to choose a wax melt warmer
A wax melt warmer looks like a decorative ceramic vase with a plate on top. The base can have an opening for tea lights or votive candles, or house electrical components to heat the upper tray.
Place the wax cube on the top plate and slowly heat it to melt. When it melts, the scent spreads.
Do not confuse wax melt warmers with candle warmers. A candle warmer is an electrically heated tray that a container of candles is placed on top of to warm it and release a scent.
Here are some great wax melt warmers you can find online.
Use essential oils to scent your wax melts
Many commercially available wax melts and candles are scented with artificial fragrances, so I decided to make my own. Candles and wax melts are often made using fragrance oils, as they provide the most stable and reliable scent, and are also less expensive.
These are heated to high temperatures and formulated to be added to the melted wax without evaporation. Fragrance oils also come in a variety of lab-created varieties with pleasant scents not available as essential oils, such as strawberry or green apple.
But as it turns out, artificial fragrances tend to cause headaches, so I prefer the natural scents of essential oils.
Essential oils are natural, but that doesn’t mean they won’t cause reactions. Essential oils are concentrated volatile oils extracted from thousands of plants packed into small bottles and are extremely powerful.
When using essential oils, it’s important to stay safe by choosing oils that are gentle, ones that you or your family won’t react to, and oils that have been approved by medical professionals.
A good way to test if you’re sensitive to scents is to smell the oil. If you don’t like a smell, you should avoid it, even if it has some benefits that may be good for you. Trust your feelings. I know my nose.
How to make wax melts
You can easily make it at home by melting soy wax flakes, adding essential oils and herbs, stirring, and pouring into a heat-resistant mold to solidify. Below, I’ll explain two ways to make wax melts (microwave and double boiler) and share some recipe ideas from my book, Make & Give Home Candle Making.
Also, check out this resource list for all the supplies you need to start making candles and wax melts at home: Home Candle Making Supplies and Resources Guide.
microwave method
Melting in the microwave can be difficult because temperature control is difficult. If you choose a wax that is labeled microwave safe, it will come with instructions to avoid cooking or burning the wax. Here we will show you how to melt wax in the microwave and how to avoid burning it.
Device
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Weigh out microwave-safe soy wax and melt the wax in a heat-resistant container with a spout. Pour the weight of scented essential oil into a paper cup. Prepare the herbs before using the microwave so you can add them as soon as the wax melts. Rather than heating the wax, melt it in 20 second intervals to ensure it melts. Set the timer to 20 seconds the first few times, but you may want to set the timer longer because you won’t see much change. However, after a few tries, you will find that wax quickly changes from solid to liquid in the microwave. Check the wax often at intervals, as overheating it can cause it to burn and create a terrible smell. Once the wax is completely melted, add the essential oil and half of the dried herbs and stir. Pour the wax into a flower-shaped mold. When making soap or candy, choose molds that can withstand the heat of melted wax. Sprinkle the remaining herbs on top of each melt and allow the herbal wax melts to dry completely before removing.
Double boiler method
Making soy melts in a double boiler is much easier to control and ensures that the wax melts evenly.
Device
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Set up a small double boiler using a heat-resistant glass jar to hold the wax and a metal loaf pan filled halfway with water. Stir frequently until the wax is completely melted. Weigh the soy wax and essential oils. Bring the wax to the specified temperature (e.g. 160°F; see instructions included with the wax) to add dye or scented oil. Add aroma and color (if using) and stir until thoroughly combined. Pour the wax into a silicone ice cube tray. Wait until the wax melt is completely dry before removing from the mold and using.
Herbal Sleepy Time Wax Melts Recipe
These herbal chamomile, calendula, and lavender wax melts are perfect for transporting you to dreamland, as the gentle scent of herbs fills the room as the wax melts, making you feel relaxed. A wax melt warmer is included, making it a great self-care gift for a friend who wants a restful night’s sleep.
Some herbs wake you up, while others calm you down. Herbs such as lavender, chamomile, calendula, hops, mint, and passionflower calm the nerves and calm the mind. Using these herbs before bedtime will help you fall asleep and improve the quality of your sleep.
This recipe allows you to melt wax, oil, and herbs at a safe temperature without risking the herbs catching fire.
material
Makes 25 9g wax melts
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Make soy wax melts according to instructions, either in the microwave or in a double boiler. Fill a wax-lined window bag with herbal wax melts and label with a letter stamp. Add more decoration with flower stamps. Move the melt to show its cute face in the window.
Citrus Celebration Wax Melts Recipe
Citrus Celebration Wax Melts are the perfect housewarming gift. Festive scents are cheerful and uplifting, adding freshness and vitality to any home. The bright, cheerful citrus scent is fresh and vibrant, but also very calming.
Make your home smell fresh, clean, and cozy with citrus-scented melts. Give the gift of a cute wax warmer with homemade citrus wax melts topped with lemon, lime, and orange zest.
Ice cube molds are the perfect size for melting these waxes. You’ll probably want to make a bunch to give as gifts, or keep some for yourself. Pro tip: Grapefruit scent is said to suppress appetite, so don’t use it before a dinner party.
material
Melts 12 pieces of 15g wax
Please make it!
Make soy wax melts according to instructions, either in the microwave or in a double boiler. Fill a mason jar with citrus wax melts and combine with a small tealight wax warmer. Wrap both the mason jar containing the wax melts and the wax warmer containing the tea lights in a clear cellophane bag tied with satin ribbon.
Frequently asked questions about wax melts
If the scent isn’t as strong as you’d like, use essential oils from a trusted brand and add them when making the melt.
Fragrance load refers to how much scent oil the wax holds. A typical fragrance level for soy wax is 1 ounce of scent per pound of wax, or a 6.25% ratio.
You can increase or decrease the ratio depending on the strength of the scent. Use 6-8% for lightly scented oils and 8-10% for strong scents.
If you plan on exceeding the 1 ounce per pound rule, be sure to check the maximum value of the wax you are using. If you add more fragrance than your recipe calls for, there may be too much oil to bind with the wax, leaving excess oil at the top and bottom of the melted wax.
It depends on how long you burn it. Typically, cubes last between 6 and 12 hours, depending on cube size, burning temperature, and wax quality.
The melted wax will not evaporate, but the scent will. Melted wax can be reused until the scent is no longer noticeable.
You can leave the wax melting for as long as you like, as long as you stay at home. You can immediately scent a room, so it’s up to you whether you want to keep it burning or extinguish it to make it last longer.
Whether you use an electric wax warmer or a classic wax warmer, never leave the burner unattended while it is in use.
More candle and handmade gift ideas
How to make herbal wax that melts in the microwave
You can easily make homemade wax melts just by gathering some simple items! These wax melts are made with all natural ingredients including essential oils and herbs.
microwave oven
Heat-resistant container with spout
Silicone mold – I like flower shapes and cubes like this
Measure the soy wax into a microwave-safe bowl. Next, weigh out the essential oil into a paper cup.
Melt the wax in the microwave for 20 seconds at a time. Stir each time.
Once the wax is completely melted, add the essential oils and herbs and mix.
Pour the melted wax mixture into the silicone mold and sprinkle the herbs on top. Then let it dry completely before using.
