How to choose the best wax for wax melts

How to choose the best wax for wax melts

Wax melts have become increasingly popular in recent years. Most candle addicts have a few different types of wax melt at home next to their scented candles. No wonder, as wax melts have their own advantages and reasons for this popularity. If you are a professional or a hobby candle maker, learning about the newest techniques is part of the work. So, if you haven’t had the chance to get all the information needed, this article is for you. Keep on reading and let’s see what you need to know about the topic and how to choose the best wax for making wax melts here.

Generally for wax melts we want the wax to set hard, as we need to set the wax in a mould and turn them out, if the wax is too soft it simply won't turn out very well. Soy wax & Rapeseed wax provide excellent options for scented wax melts, I'd also recommend using natural wax instead of paraffin wax, simply for the eco-friendly benefits and health benefits.

Top 5 waxes for making scented wax melts

1. Soy Wax - This is a popular choice as it is natural, biodegradable, and eco-friendly. It has a low melting point, which means that it melts quickly and releases fragrance easily.

2. Beeswax - Another natural wax that is great for wax melts. It has a sweet, natural scent and a high melting point, which means it releases fragrance slowly and lasts longer.

3. Paraffin Wax - This is the most common wax used in commercial wax melts. It is affordable and has a high melting point, but it is not natural and can release harmful toxins when burned.

4. Coconut Wax - A natural wax made from coconut oil that is a great alternative to soy wax. It has a creamy texture and a low melting point, which makes it easy to use in wax melts.

5. Palm Wax - This is a natural wax made from palm oil. It has a unique, crystal-like texture and a high melting point, which means it releases fragrance slowly and lasts longer than other natural waxes. However, there are concerns about the environmental impact of palm oil production, so make sure to choose sustainably sourced palm wax.

Generally soy wax for wax melts comes in soy wax flakes - which are really easy to melt down, just scoop out the required amount and melt it in a double boiler or a wax melting device.

Some of the best wax melt soy wax options:

1. Golden Brands 444 Soy Wax - This is a popular choice among candle makers and is known for its excellent fragrance retention and smooth, creamy appearance. It also has a lower melting point, which makes it ideal for wax melts.

2. EcoSoya PB - This is a 100% soy wax that is designed specifically for use in wax melts and tarts. It has a high fragrance load capacity, which means it can hold a lot of fragrance oil without affecting the wax's quality.

3. NatureWax C-3 - This is a soy wax that is known for its excellent cold and hot scent throw. It also has a smooth texture and is easy to work with.

4. KySoy 125 - This is a natural soy wax that is great for wax melts and tarts. It has a high fragrance load capacity and produces a smooth, creamy finish.

5. GW 464 Soy Wax - This is a popular soy wax that is known for its excellent scent throw and smooth appearance. It is also easy to work with and produces a nice, creamy finish.

What is a wax melt?

Let’s start with the basics, in case you haven’t even heard of scented wax melts yet. Wax melts are basically smaller cubes of wax, almost like a smaller version of regular scented candle. They are poured into special moulds to create different shapes. When making them, there is the option to play with the scents, colours and forms so you basically have endless opportunities.

The main difference between candles and wax melts is that melts don’t have a wick within. Therefore, they require a different tool to use them. This tool is a small warmer which slowly melts the wax cubes and thus make the scent throw similarly to lighting a candle. Regarding the different warmer types, usually you can choose from electric ones with either lightbulbs or heating plates, as well as plug-in options.

What are the advantages as a customer?

Now that you know the basics, we can talk about why they are so popular. This is a valid question as they don’t have the cosy atmosphere of lighting a candle. So why do people still love them?

First things first, they are a lot safer to use as you have no open flame and fire hazard while using. This is great for those who are always afraid of leaving their candles unattended or who live with pets or small children. In these cases, wax melts are great safe alternatives to regular scented candles.

Secondly, they come in several different shapes, sizes, colours and scents so you can more easily have a wider selection at home. It’s not that you don’t find as many opportunities in the scented candle area, but they are bigger and more expensive. With wax melts however, you can basically buy twenty different types at a time. This allows a wider range of scents which is an important aspect to some.

Lastly, as mentioned above, there is a really wide selection of shapes and colours, they are really fun to have around. You can have different ones for the living room, for the bedroom and even for the bathroom. This also means that they are perfect as small decorations too.

What are the advantages as a candle maker?

Apart from a safer and more comfortable use, they also have several advantages when it comes to making them. In general, it is safe to say that wax melts give you a greater freedom. As you might know, most candle problems result in clogged wick. This can happen if you use too much colouring additives or essential oils, as well as not having the right wick length or width. Naturally you make wax melts, without the wick, you will have a lot less problem. You can use whichever additive you feel like and you have a greater flexibility with regards to experimenting. Feel free to use various decorative elements, such as glitter or even mica powder. You no longer have to be afraid of a candle with wick related problems.

Wax melts are also more economical as you can more easily make different sets of wax melts as opposed to regular candles. This is thanks to the small size of wax melts. So, from a set amount of wax, you will end up with a lot of more different scents and colours. Therefore, your product line will have a larger selection which is always good when it comes to customer expectations and satisfaction.

You can also vary the moulds you are using. As it is super easy to find different shapes of silicone moulds, you will have even more flexibility during making the moulds. With the different shapes, colours and scents, you can see the endless opportunities you have with wax melts. This is good for your creativity as well as your business’ success.

What are the disadvantages?

It’s not that wax melts have a lot of disadvantages. However, compared to candles, there are a few things to consider. As most people choose candles for creating a cosy atmosphere at home, the importance of the flame itself is undeniable. That is one thing wax warmers can’t make up for.

The other disadvantage you might have to face is that it can get messy and harder to clean up if spilled. This is also true when the fragrance starts to get weaker and you have to add more or switch to another type.

How to choose the best wax for wax melts ?

After understanding the basics of wax melts, let’s get to the point. As a candle maker, the most important question is how to choose the best wax for making wax melts. The wax quality and the compatibility with warmers will define the overall result and quality, so obviously this is the key.

Making wax melts with Rapeseed wax

Rapeseed wax, also known as canola wax, is a natural vegetable wax that is gaining popularity as an alternative to traditional paraffin wax in wax melts. Here are some reasons why rapeseed wax makes a good alternative for wax melts:

1. Eco-Friendly - Rapeseed wax is a renewable resource and is biodegradable, making it an environmentally friendly choice for wax melts. Which is unlike paraffin wax, as it's a by product from petroleum & crude oil.

2. Low Melting Point - Rapeseed wax has a lower melting point than some other natural waxes, which means that it melts easily and quickly releases fragrance into the air.

3. Clean Burning - Rapeseed wax burns cleanly and produces less soot and harmful emissions than paraffin wax, making it a healthier option for use in the home.

4. Odourless - Rapeseed wax is odourless, which makes it a great choice for those who are sensitive to strong fragrances or for those who want to create their own unique scent blends. Can add fragrance oils up to 12% with most rapeseed waxes.

5. Long-Lasting - Rapeseed wax has a longer burn time than some other natural waxes, which means that it can provide hours of fragrance with just a small amount of wax.

Overall, rapeseed wax makes a great alternative for wax melts because it is eco-friendly, has a low melting point, burns cleanly, is odourless, and is long-lasting.

Wax melts have Strong structure

As a general rule, it is safe to say that the best choice would be a wax type with a slightly higher melt point. As having a higher melt point also means a stronger structure, this is a better option when making your own melt cubes. The reason behind this is that you have to take into consideration the process of making them. As mentioned above, wax melts are made with specific moulds. This means that you will have to take the final cubes out of the mould without them breaking or the sides crumbling. In order to actually be able to get them out, you will definitely need a harder wax melt.

Luckily, many manufacturers sell wax specifically prepared for this purpose, so it is easy to choose when you start. These specific ones are usually made of soy wax mixed with paraffin or other wax with higher melting point. You can also look for wax blends made for votive and pillar candles, as the mould release factor is taken into consideration with those types as well.

Based on the information above, most likely soy wax would be the best choice blended with another type of wax with higher melt point. That will have the feature of being easily released from the mould easily and without breaking.

The problem with wax melt warmers

Based on the information above, this seems easy to find the perfect wax for your melts. If nothing else, you can always look up wax blends specifically made for this purpose.

However, this is not as easy as it sounds. The problem is that different melt warmers will warm the melts to different temperature. This results in a bigger uncertainty when your product gets to the customer. Unlike with candles, where you choose the perfect wick matching your wax type, you can hardly tell your customers which warmer will have the perfect result on your wax melts. This can be a problem, as your perfect hot throw will be dependent on the warmer which your customers use.

Bigger brands can easily overcome this issue by also selling one or two types of melt warmers. With this possibility, they can tailor made the wax melts to work perfectly with the warmers. However, as a small business owner you don’t have the chance to also sell wax warmers specifically compatible with your wax melts. Therefore, your success lies in creating a higher temperature melt which will result in a better hot throw regardless of the warmer’s performance and temperature.

Obviously, if you have the time and the resources, you can also experiment in creating different wax melts for different warmers. This would mean creating melts for both lower and higher temperature warmers. This way, your customers can differentiate between your wax melt selection based on the warmer they actually have at home. This is possible if you have the chance to test your melts with different warmers. If you have the possibility for that, then it’s perfect. You will only need time to create and test with different waxes.

All in all, it is safe to say that wax melts give a greater flexibility and freedom both for the candle makers and for the customers. They are more fun to experiment with and safer to use them. This also means that a wider selection is available and you can never get bored with them. Therefore, it is a perfect choice if you do not particularly adore the candle flame itself. With all these in mind, you might want to try making some wax melts as part of your candle making business. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

Wax Melts F.A.Q

1. What are wax melts? Wax melts are small pieces of scented wax that are melted in a wax warmer to release fragrance into the air. They are a popular alternative to scented candles and come in a variety of shapes, colours, and scents.

2. How do you use wax melts? To use wax melts, simply place one or two pieces in the dish of a wax warmer and turn it on. As the wax melts, it releases fragrance into the air. When you are done using the wax melt, turn off the warmer and allow the wax to harden before removing it.

3. Are wax melts safe? Wax melts are generally safe when used properly. However, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and never leave a burning wax warmer unattended. It is also important to keep the wax warmer away from flammable materials and out of reach of children and pets.

4. How long do wax melts last? The length of time a wax melt lasts depends on the size of the wax melt and the type of wax used. Generally, a single wax melt can last anywhere from 4-12 hours.

5. Can you reuse wax melts? Yes, you can reuse wax melts until the fragrance dissipates. Once the fragrance is no longer noticeable, you can replace the wax melt with a new one.

6. How do you clean wax from a wax warmer? To clean wax from a wax warmer, allow the wax to harden and then remove it from the dish. You can also use a cotton ball or paper towel to wipe away any remaining wax. If there is still wax in the dish, you can use a warmer-specific wax remover or place the dish in the freezer for a few minutes to make the wax easier to remove.

7. Can you mix different wax melts together? Yes, you can mix different wax melts together to create your own unique fragrance blends. However, it is important to make sure the scents complement each other and not overwhelm the space.