One surefire way to add fragrance and ambiance to your home is wax melts. However, what new users don’t understand is when they’ll need to replace their wax melts, and that’s because they don’t know if wax melts evaporate. So, do wax melts evaporate?
No, wax melts don’t evaporate. The heat produced in wax melts isn’t intense enough to make the wax molecules off into the air as vapor. However, the fragrance will slowly disappear over time, so you’ll need to replace your wax melt when you can’t smell it anymore.
Herein, expect to learn more about wax melts. Ranging from what they are to how long they last to how they differ from candles, there’s a lot to unpack about this popular home fragrance method. And with no further ado, let’s dive right in!
Does Melted Candle Wax Evaporate?
Yes, melted wax evaporates. The heat from the burning wick melts the wax around it, draws it up, and then vaporizes it into the air. That explains why the candle gets shorter and shorter as time goes by.
Candles typically use paraffin wax, a hydrocarbon that comes from petroleum. When burned, it produces carbon dioxide and water vapor.
When you light a candle, the flame comes into direct contact with the surrounding wax. Then, the heat from the flame will melt the surrounding wax. Once melted, the wax is drawn up the wick, causing it to vaporize.
The heat from the flame will also vaporize any fragrance oils in the wax, so you’ll smell the fragrance as the candle burns.
What Are Wax Melts?
Wax melts – or wax tarts – are small pieces of scented wax used in tart warmers. You place the wax melt in the warmer, and as it melts, it releases its fragrance into the space, eventually saturating the area with the scent.
Wax melts come in a variety of waxes, including paraffin wax, soy wax, and beeswax. They usually contain fragrance oils, but they can also have essential oils.
Wax melts look like chocolate bars or small, flat discs. They come in a wide range of colors and fragrances, so you can find the perfect scent for any room in your home.
Unlike the candles, wax tarts allow you to enjoy your favorite fragrances without worrying about an open flame. That makes them much safer than candles and can be used in various settings where their counterparts might not be appropriate, such as in homes with small children or pets.
How To Use Wax Melts?
Wax melts are very easy to use. All you need is a tart warmer and a wax melt. Simply place the wax melt in the tart warmer and turn on the heat source to use a wax melt. When done with using, remove the heat source and the molten wax will solidify, ready for the next use.
Wax melts are generally easy to use. They can either use electric tart warmers or tealight tart warmers. Even so, they don’t require any specific skills to use. Here are the four steps;
Step 1: Choose Your Wax Melt
The initial step involves selecting a wax melt. You’ll need to identify the scent you need for the room. Consider going for a fragrance that can boost your mood or complement the room’s atmosphere.
Step 2: Put The Wax In A Burner
The next step involves placing the wax melt in a burner. Ensure that the burner can accommodate the size of the wax melt. If it doesn’t, cut it into smaller pieces that will fit.
Step 3: Turn The Melter On
If you’re using an electric tart warmer, it should have a switch that you can use to turn it on and off. Once you’ve turned it on, the heat will start melting the wax, and the fragrance will spread into the room.
On the other hand, if you’re using a tealight tart warmer, then you’ll need to light the tealight and place it underneath the warmer. The heat from the tealight will melt the wax and release the fragrance.
Step 4: Replace The Wax Melt
When the fragrance starts to fade, it’s time to replace the wax melt. To do this, turn off the heat source and wait for the wax to solidify. Once it has, remove the old wax melt and replace it with a new one.
But again, you won’t have to go through this step each time. Wax melts are durable and can go for several uses without the fragrances fading.
How Long Do Wax Melts Last?
How long a wax melt lasts depends on the quality of the wax melt you use, the size of the cubes, the heat setting, and other factors. In most cases, though, a wax melt cube can last for 6 to 12 hours on average heat level.
We don’t have a definite answer as to how long a wax melt lasts. Some wax melts will last for longer hours than others when using the same burner and heat settings.
You can expect a single cube to last for an average of about 8 hours. As such, you may have to burn it several times before it eventually loses all of its fragrance.
So, if you bought a box containing six cubes, you can expect them to last for about 48 hours. That’s a lot more than you can get from a candle.
How Are Wax Melts Different From Candles
The main difference between wax melts and candles is that wax melts are flameless while candles are not. That means you can use wax melts without the risk of fire, which is necessarily not the case with candles.
To begin with, candles and wax melts have lots of similarities. That’s why they serve as close substitutes for each other. For instance, they are both used to fragrance a room.
Even so, it’s worth mentioning that there are several differences between the two, and that’s why some people prefer one over the other.
So, what sets the two apart?
Well, let’s find out;
1. Wax Melts Are Flame-Free
The first distinctive feature of wax melts is that they are flame-free. They don’t use an open flame as with candles. As such, they absorb heat slower than their counterparts, gaining just enough of it to evaporate the fragrances and not the oil.
2. Wax Melts Are More Affordable
Since the wax doesn’t directly contact the flame, a wax melt will take more time to evaporate the same amount of fragrance as a candle. That, in turn, means that they last longer than candles.
For instance, while a typical candle might last only for about 5 hours, a single wax melt cube can last for up to 10 hours. That’s a significant difference, and it means that you don’t have to replace them as often as you would candles.
This means that wax melts are more affordable than candles in the long run, especially considering that the price difference isn’t huge.
3. Wax Melts Are Safer
Another advantage of wax melts is that they are safer than candles. This is because they don’t use an open flame. As such, there’s no risk of fire when you use them.
This makes them a great choice if you have kids or pets. With candles, there’s always the risk that they might knock them over and cause a fire. With wax melts, there’s no such risk.
4. Wax Melts Don’t Release Dangerous Toxins
When candles burn, they release dangerous toxins such as benzene and toluene. These chemicals can be harmful to your health, especially if exposed to them for long periods.
On the other hand, Wax melts don’t release any toxins into the air. That’s because the wax burns at a lower temperature. As such, they are a much safer option if you’re looking for a way to add fragrance to your home.
5. You Can Control The Scent Intensity
With candles, you can’t really control how strong the fragrance is. It all depends on how long you burn them. If you want a stronger scent, you have to burn the candle for longer.
Wax melts give you more control over the intensity of the fragrance. This is because you can regulate the amount of wax you melt at any given time. If you want a stronger scent, you can simply add more wax to the melting dish or increase the temperature.
Do Wax Melts Lose Their Scent?
Yes, although the wax content doesn’t evaporate, wax melts will eventually lose their fragrance when you burn them for long. Actually, losing their aroma is why you’ll want to replace your wax melts after some time.
Wax melts are for primarily saturating a room with fragrance. However, the scent will eventually dissipate and become weaker over time. That’s because the fragrance molecules will slowly evaporate into the air.
The rate at which your wax melts and loses its fragrance will depend on a few factors, such as the type of wax used, the fragrance oil, and the burn time. In general, though, you can expect a wax melt to last for about 8 hours before it starts losing its scent.
What To Do With Old Wax Melts?
Once your wax melts have lost their fragrance, there are various ways you can use them. For instance, you can upcycle the scentless wax into a new candle, use them for firestarters, and more.
After your wax melt loses its scent, that doesn’t mean its usage has ended. In fact, there are several applications where an unscented wax melt can come in handy.
They include;
1. Making New Candle (Or Wax Melt)
One of the most obvious ways to reuse your wax melts is by making a new candle. If you have a mold, simply pour the wax into it and create a brand new candle.
You can also use the wax to create a wax melt. All you need is to put the wax in a heat-resistant container and melt it. Once it’s melted, you can add your desired fragrance oil and pour it into a mold.
2. Lubricating Drawers and Doors
Old wax melts can also help in lubricating drawers and doors. Simply rub the wax on the hinges of the door or the bottom part of the drawer and it will help them open and close more smoothly.
3. Preservation of Bronze and Copper
If you have any bronze or copper items in your home, you can use wax melts to preserve them. The wax will form a barrier that will prevent the metal from tarnishing.
4. Coating Snow Shovel
You can also use the old wax melts to coat snow shovels. The wax creates a stick-proof coating on the shovel, making it easier to clear snow from your driveway in the upcoming winter.
5. Creating Wax Art
Wax melts can also be used for crafting and creating wax art. The melted wax can help you create a variety of different designs. You can also add color to the wax to make even more exciting designs.
Conclusion
Although wax melts don’t evaporate, they will eventually lose their scent. That means you’ll need to replace them from time to time. Even so, that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to reuse the old unscented wax. As long as you are creative enough, there are many applications where you’ll find the wax helpful.