Wax melts come in a variety of colors and scents. Scents like sea salt, passion fruit, honeysuckle, and fruity cranberry may seem natural, but they definitely aren’t. Most wax melt cubes and tarts are usually made with paraffin or soy wax.
Most companies don’t publish the ingredients list for their wax melts, and the ones I found were full of things you wouldn’t want floating around your house. Febreze brand is one of the few brands that publishes a full ingredients list, and they contain:
Wax Blend, Fragrance, Synthetic Wax, Benzophenone-12, Octorizole, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenol, 2.4-Bis(1.1-dimethylethyl)-, 1.1′.1”-Phosphite, Colorant
If you’re looking for a healthy alternative, it’s easy to make your own!
DIY Wax Melts
Instead of a long list of synthetic chemicals, these wax melts use a few simple ingredients. They’re based on beeswax, giving them a subtle honey scent. Coconut oil has a higher burn temperature than many oils and a lower melting point than beeswax. Combining the two creates wax melts that melt like soy wax without the drawbacks.
We also add essential oils for a subtle, pleasant scent. They’re not as strong as synthetic fragrance oils, but they won’t cause headaches or nervous system problems. Fragrance oils come in just about every scent known to man, from fireside scent to vanilla bean to apple cider snickerdoodle. With essential oils, your options are a little more limited, but the tradeoff is worth it.
Buy it: You already know I don’t want to make them? My favorite candle company is The beeswax melts Made with pure essential oils, available here. Get it here On Amazon.
Naturally Scented Wax Melts
There are so many essential oil options available to you now. You can use a single oil, like pure lavender, or you can mix multiple oils together to create your own blend. One of my favorite essential oil businesses isPhytotherapyhas a wide range of deliciously scented pre-made blends. Essential oils also have antibacterial properties and help purify the air. Many oils, such as citrus oils, act on the limbic system to support a positive mood.
Here are some ideas for ingredients to use in your wax melts.
- Balsam fir – Soothes coughs and supports the respiratory system. Purifies the air and smells like a Christmas tree.
- Sandalwood – A warm, earthy scent that helps relax and relieve tension. I love using this scent with my Sandalwood Tanning Oil. It’s on the pricey side, but works well blended with less expensive oils like lavender, sweet orange, and patchouli.
- Citrus Oil – Grapefruit, sweet orange, lemon and lime are popular scents. These “top notes” don’t linger in the air for long, so they work better when blended with base notes. Examples include cedarwood, frankincense and vetiver.
- eucalyptus – Supports healthy breathing and lung function. Pairs well with a variety of oils including peppermint, lavender and geranium.
- Pumpkin Spice – Make your own fall scent blend cinnamon, clovesand cardamom Essential oils. These oils have antibacterial properties, making them great for colds and the flu in the fall.
Safety Guidelines
Using essential oils in wax melts and candles gives them a subtle scent that won’t overwhelm a large room. However, it’s a good idea to keep safety in mind when burning essential oils around children and pets. If you do burn essential oils around these groups, do your research and only use oils that are safe for children and pets.
these KidSafe Blend Plant Therapy essential oils take the guesswork out of it, and you can read about essential oils that are safe for pets here.
Although wax melts don’t have a flame like candles, it’s best to keep melt warmers away from areas where pets or small children could knock them over or get burned.
Color Melt
Beeswax has a yellow-honey hue that I love to use in candles. However, if you want a different color, there are a few natural colorant options. One is indigo, which is a deep blue. I haven’t personally tried it, so I don’t know if it will stain your wax warmer tray.
Another option is alkanet root. When steeped in oil, alkanet turns a deep ruby red color. It’s often used in naturally tinted lip balms.
Homemade wax melts
These wax melts contain just a few simple ingredients and can be customized with the scent of your choice, or you can add alkanet for a colored version.
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Place the oils and beeswax in a double boiler or glass bowl over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until completely melted.
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Once melted, turn off the heat and add the essential oils.
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Pour into your preferred silicone mold and allow to cool completely.
To use, place wax melts in a wax warmer and allow to melt.
Where to get a wax warmer
Wax warmers burn at about 150 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also melt the wax in a double boiler on your stove. However, the downside to this method is that the scent will linger in your kitchen area.
There are many different types of wax warmers available, but electric ones (not tealight ones) are the easiest to use. Many wax warmers are made from ceramic, which may contain lead in the glaze. Several glass options Some don’t have this problem. Glass dish Place in wax warmer.
If you liked this tutorial, check out how to make your own beeswax candles here:
What scents do you find best for candles and wax melts? Leave a comment and let me know!
