how to use wax melts

You are probably a candle lover, and you feel comfortable when you light your house with candles. It's something you probably have done for some time now. However, you're here to learn how you can use wax melts to make candles, right?

If you've been obsessed with candles for some time, you'll notice that they were a nice-to-have item at some point. Today, candles are used as home decors. And the good news is that candle making is relatively inexpensive and straightforward. All you need is equipment and the DIY procedure. Ready? Let's dive in.

Page Contents

1 Is it Possible To Use Wax Melts to Make Candles?
2 Can You Put Wax Melts in the Fridge to Set?
3 Are Wax Melts Stronger Than Candles?
- 3.1 1. Wax Melts are Flame-Free
- 3.2 2. Have More Burn
- 3.3 3. Are Cheaper
4 How Do You Make Wax Melts Into Candles?
- 4.1 Step 1: Start By Choosing Your Candle Containers
- 4.2 Step 2: Determine How Much Wax You'll Need
- 4.3 Step 3: Choosing Your Wick Size
- 4.4 Step 4: Melt Your Wax
- 4.5 Step 5: Prepare Your Candle Containers
- 4.6 Step 6: Weigh the Fragrance
- 4.7 Step 7: Pour the Candles
- 4.8 Things to Note
5 What Can You Do With Old Wax Melts?
- 5.1 1. Home Fragrance
- 5.2 2. Alternative to Candles
- 5.3 3. Use as an Aromatherapy

Is it Possible To Use Wax Melts to Make Candles?

YES, you can use wax melts to make candles using a method called the double boiler.

To avoid cracking your container (that's if you are going to use glass), heat both the glass and water simultaneously. Metal containers are also good to use, but be sure to use a piece of cloth to hold it when you are transferring the wax.

Can You Put Wax Melts in the Fridge to Set?

YES, you can put your wax melts in the fridge to set, but not recommended in most cases because of various reasons. First, putting your wax in the fridge can lead to your glass cracking, shrink your wax, or even weaken its scent.

Instead of putting your wax in the refrigerator to set, be a little patient and let it cool slowly to avoid all the above problems. However, there are also times that I may recommend that you put your wax in the fridge to set. This is only when you intend to make a votive candle pillar.

Are Wax Melts Stronger Than Candles?

YES, wax melts are stronger than candles. Candles with seven or higher fragrance don't click well with the wick and, even worse, could bust lighting.

On the contrary, wax melts can hold between ten and twelve percent fragrance and burn with a clean, non-toxic bad non-tainted scent, which can last longer. Here's why wax melts are stronger than candles:

1. Wax Melts are Flame-Free

According to the National Fire Protection Association, candle fires caused up to $374 million in property damage. Sure, we all love decorative candles, but they put us at more risk than you'd think. On the contrary, wax melt warmers don't require flames; they only need electricity.

You can warm tarts, cubes and scented wax melts using an electric wax melt warmer on a light bulb. This is just enough to warm your wax melts, cubes, or tarts and release the lovely scent that would last between five to ten minutes.

2. Have More Burn

There are lots of factors that will affect the time taken by wax melts and candles to burn. For example, the quantity of the fragrance oil, the size of wax melt or candle, and the type of wax you are using can affect how long they will burn. Now, wax melts are mostly preferred by people because they take more time to burn – an average of 60 to 84 hours, contrary to 7 or 9 hours a candle would take.

3. Are Cheaper

Affordability is another critical consideration among people. A candle would cost an average of between $18 and $20 but could go as far as $50 depending on the candle brand, formula, or scent. On the contrary, a wax melt would cost between $5 and $25, depending on the quantity you purchase. And because wax melts burns have a more burn time than candles, people would be happier to spend on them.

Assuming you divide the average cost of a candle and the number of hours it burns, it means that you will be spending $0.33 for every hour your candle burns. If you use the same formula to calculate how much you will be spending on a wax melt per hour, you will realize that you will only spend $0.06 for every hour your wax melt burns. That's pretty much of saving, and every sane person would love to save that coin.

How Do You Make Wax Melts Into Candles?

You can use many items to make candles – from canning wax bought at your local grocery to melted candles. However, you must make sure that you only use cotton strings for wicks.

Meanwhile, stearic acid may look like your usual candle wax, but what you don't know is that it melts at too high temperatures. To avoid your candle dripping and burning for long, coat your candle with stearic acid.

If you fancy colors a lot, it would be a great idea to add small crayons to change your candle color. Additionally, if you want to bring back the old Christmas memories, be sure to simulate snow by whipping melted wax.

Below is an extension (step by step) of how you can make wax melts into candles.

Step 1: Start By Choosing Your Candle Containers

You need to get creative with the candle containers you will use because there are no perfect ones; it all depends on your creativity. You can use drinking glasses, previously used candle containers, mason jars, flower pots, among others.

You can find a ton of glassware from your local stores. Small bowls or teacups can also be helpful. However, it would help if you ensured that the containers you choose are safe from the heat. And because most glasses and ceramic vessels are safe from heat, start with them.

If you intend to use your previous candle container, dip it into the water and make sure that all the wax is removed, then dry the container with a piece of dry cloth.

Step 2: Determine How Much Wax You'll Need

Before you choose the amount of wax you will need, know the volume of the containers you will use. And to be safe or save yourself the hassle of complicated math, fill your container with water and then transfer the water to a measuring cup.

It's easy to ignore this step, but it is a perfect way to know whether you're making fair use of the wax and that you are not letting any go to waste.

Step 3: Choosing Your Wick Size

There are several factors that you will consider before you choose the right wick size. These factors include the size of your container, the brand of the wax you want to use, the amount of fragrance you want to use, among other things.

Many wick companies provide customers with a chart that would help you decide the right wick size. To know if you did not choose the right wick size, test your candle, and see its clarity. If it's clear, it means that you chose a big or small size.

Step 4: Melt Your Wax

The first step is to put your melting bowl on a scale and put in the right amount of soy wax flakes. For every one ounce of liquid, you will need an equal amount of soy wax.

Fill your pot halfway with water and allow it to simmer. If you use a pitcher, it will help if you lower it into the water. Allow your wax to melt while you stir from time to time.

Your wax should be approximately 180 degrees when it's near ready, so you need to allow it to cool to about 140 degrees before you add fragrance or pour candles.

Step 5: Prepare Your Candle Containers

As you wait for the wax to cool, you need to start preparing your candle containers. Make sure that they are clean and dry. It would help if you put a hot glue at the bottom of the wick you will use and then position to your container's center bottom. If you have a container with a larger diameter, it would be best to use at least three space wicks to make sure that your candle burns evenly.

Ensure that the wick is stable and in one place before you start pouring the wax. The best way to ensure you make no mistakes in this stage is to create a hole at the center of the masking tape, position the top of your wick through the hole, then on each side of the rim container, attach the masking tape.

Step 6: Weigh the Fragrance

If you intend to use essential oil or fragrance oil, be sure to weigh them in the ratio of 1:1 (fragrance to wax). It is essential to note that essential oils are more challenging to work with than fragrance oils or, even worse, would not give you the desired scent as fragrance oils.

However, if you choose essential oils over fragrance oils, you will need to test different ratios to find your perfect match, but it would be best to try out the above-recommended ratio. If you aren't satisfied with the results, you are free to adjust until you find what's perfect for you.

Step 7: Pour the Candles

And finally, it's time to pour your candles. There are many options, and you will need to find out what's perfect for you. Pouring candles at different temperatures will give you different results. Maybe you can start between 120 degrees to 140 degrees and see what results you get.

When you are confident that your wax has hit the right amount of temperature, pour it into your container and try to avoid the wick and the tape. Additionally, take note that you need to pour the wax slowly to avoid air bubbles. Let cool for at least 24 hours before you can burn.

Things to Note

You don't have to stress yourself about cleaning the place once you have finished. Use a piece of cloth to clean the area and ensure that you are doing so when the wax is still in its liquid state. Once you have cleaned the pots, thermometer, and the other items you used, wash thoroughly with clean water.

When your candles have cooled down, trim the wick to ¼ inch and remove the tape. Always trim the wick every time you want to light your candle to avoid the smoke and the wick mushrooming. Also, you need to keep these away from children, pets, and anything flammable.

Always match your candle size to the burn times. Short burns can cause tunneling, which happens when the wax only melts at the center. And finally, the first time you are burning a new candle, lit for a long time until its top is liquid.

What Can You Do With Old Wax Melts?

So you have had wax melts in the past, but what can you do with them? Just briefly, wax melts have been proven to cut costs and even last longer. And while candles evaporate, wax melts do not, so they are more preferred than candles. Below are what you can do with old wax melts.

1. Home Fragrance

Wax melts have been known for entirely too long in the fragrance category, and they can help bring about a sweet scent to your house. To achieve this, you will need to heat the wax melts, after which the scent will be released into the air.

2. Alternative to Candles

Candles are great, but wax melts have been proven to be better. First, candles rely on the ignited wick to release the scent. On the contrary, wax melt uses the heat beneath the wax to release the air's scent.

Also, wax melts do not evaporate as candles do, which makes them more economical than candles. You can reuse wax melts instead of buying a new candle until you decide to replace it with another.

3. Use as an Aromatherapy

Honestly, you can agree with me that the scent of sandalwood or vanilla turns you on. It has been said that the scent coming out of them positively affects your mood. Oxford University conducted a study and found out that patients who inhaled vanilla fragrances had lower heartbeat rates, blood pressure, and reduced stress. That said, wax melts can be used as an aromatherapy.