How To Use Wax Melts

How to use wax melts step-by-step

Using wax melts is simple: add a piece to the dish, warm gently, and enjoy. The key is starting small and letting the fragrance build as the wax fully melts.

• Place your wax melt burner on a stable, heat-safe surface
• Pop 1 piece of wax melt into the dish
• Turn on your electric burner (or light a tealight underneath)
• Let the wax melt fully before judging the scent throw
• Top up with another piece if you want a stronger fragrance

How much wax melt should I use?

How much you need depends on room size, airflow, and the style of burner. Start with 1 piece, then add more if you’re in a larger space or you like a bolder scent.

• Small rooms: 1 piece is usually plenty
• Medium rooms: 1–2 pieces depending on how punchy you like it
• Open-plan: 2 pieces can help build a stronger scent throw
• First time with a new scent: start with less, then adjust

Wax melt safety tips

Wax melts are easy to use, but burners get hot. Follow the guidance for your specific burner, keep it on a heat-safe surface, and never leave it running unattended.

• Keep out of reach of children and pets
• Never add water to melted wax
• Don’t move the burner while the wax is liquid
• Leave plenty of space around the burner (avoid shelves and curtains)
• Use the correct bulb/wattage for electric burners, as stated by the manufacturer

Using wax melts in tealight vs electric burners

Wax melts work brilliantly in both tealight and electric burners. The main difference is how quickly the wax melts and how steady the heat is over time.

• Tealight burners: great for a cosy glow. Use a good-quality tealight and follow your burner’s guidance for burn time.
• Electric burners: give a steady melt and are ideal for consistent scent throw. Always use the correct bulb/wattage recommended for your burner.
• If the scent feels weak: try a more central spot, reduce drafts, and increase wax slightly for larger spaces.

How to make wax melts smell stronger

If your wax melts smell lighter than expected, it’s usually due to drafts, room size, or not enough wax. Try these simple tweaks to boost scent throw.

• Avoid drafts: keep burners away from open windows, doors and fans
• Let it fully melt: fragrance often builds once the wax is completely liquid
• Use the right amount: add another piece in larger rooms
• Choose the right spot: central placement helps scent travel
• Refresh when faded: re-melt until fragrance fades, then swap the wax

Best wax melts for each room

Choosing wax melts by room is an easy win for stronger home fragrance. Match the vibe to the space, and you’ll get a cleaner scent experience (and less “why can’t I smell it?” moments).

• Bedroom: go softer and calmer with floral wax melts or a gentle perfume-inspired scent.
• Bathroom: freshen things up with clean & fresh wax melts for that just-cleaned feeling.
• Kitchen: cosy comfort works brilliantly — try foodie wax melts (or keep it bright and airy with a clean/fresh pick).
• Living room: big atmosphere scents shine here — go spicy & woody for cosy evenings, or sweet & fruity for an instant mood lift.
• Open-plan spaces: choose bolder scents and use a little more wax for better throw — perfume-inspired and spicy & woody are great shout-outs.

Want a shortcut? Shop wax melts by scent and pick your vibe.

Wax melt troubleshooting

If something feels off, it’s usually heat, placement, or leftover wax in the dish. Try these quick fixes to get your wax melts performing at their best.

• I can’t smell my wax melts: move the burner away from drafts, let the wax fully melt, clean the dish, and use a little more wax in larger rooms.
• The wax is smoking: turn the burner off and let it cool. Smoking can happen if the heat is too high (wrong bulb/wattage, unsuitable tealight, or a very drafty spot). Always follow your burner’s guidance.
• I’m getting soot on a tealight burner: soot is often caused by drafts or a poor-quality tealight. Try a better tealight and place the burner away from airflow.
• The wax isn’t melting properly: check the tealight is suitable and burning well, or check the electric bulb is working and correctly fitted. Also avoid overfilling the dish with wax.
• The scent is mixing between swaps: wipe the dish after removing the wax. If there’s a stubborn residue, warm the dish for a few seconds to soften the edges, then wipe again with a dry tissue or cotton pad.
• The dish looks too full: next time, use less wax. If it’s already full, let it cool and remove some as a solid piece to reduce spill risk.

How to switch wax melt scents

Once the fragrance fades, it’s time to swap. The easiest method is to let the wax cool and harden, then lift it out in one piece.

• Turn the burner off and let the wax cool completely
• Gently pop the wax out (or lift it out) as a solid disc
• If it’s stuck, warm for a few seconds to loosen the edges
• Wipe the dish clean, then add your next scent

How to clean a wax melt burner dish

Keep your burner clean to avoid scent mixing and to help fragrance smell its best. Always remove wax as a solid piece — never pour wax down the sink.

• Let wax cool, then pop it out
• Wipe the dish with a dry tissue or cotton pad
• For stubborn wax, warm for a few seconds to loosen, then remove
• Allow the burner to cool before moving or cleaning

Wax melts FAQs

Can I use wax melts in electric and tealight burners?
Yes — wax melts work in both. Electric burners give a steady melt, while tealight burners add a cosy glow.

Which is better: tealight or electric?
Both are great. Tealight burners feel cosy, while electric burners tend to be steadier. For either type, correct heat and placement make the biggest difference to scent throw.

Are wax melts safe to use at home?
Yes, when used properly. Keep burners on a heat-safe surface, don’t leave them unattended, and always follow the guidance for your specific burner.

How long do wax melts last?
You can re-melt the same wax until the fragrance fades. Burn time varies by burner style, room size and how much wax you use.

Can I mix wax melt scents?
Yes — start small. Try a clean base with a fruity note, or a floral with a soft sweet twist.

Why is my wax melt smoking?
Switch the burner off and let it cool. Smoking usually means the heat is too high, the burner is in a drafty spot, or the wrong bulb/tealight is being used for that burner.

Why can’t I smell my wax melts?
Try moving the burner away from drafts, letting the wax fully melt, cleaning the dish, and using a little more wax in bigger rooms.