Wax melts are the perfect way to add some fragrance to any room. You just set your warmer and the aroma will be slowly released into the air. It's a better alternative to candles since there is no open flame and it doesn't release soot.
Although wax melts are a safer alternative to candles, how much safer are wax melts? Can they still be bad for your health? There are some people who claim that while there is no wick and the wax isn't burned, the melts are toxic to breathe in.
We will take a closer look at the potential health issues, harmful chemicals, and overall safety of wax melts.
Are Scented Wax Melts Toxic?
Just like candles, wax melts are made up of the same types of ingredients:
- Paraffin wax
- Soy wax
- Beeswax
- Fragrance oils
- Essential oils
When it comes to paraffin wax candles or wax melts, they release chemicals like benzene and toluene, which are not safe for human consumption. Parrafin comes from petroleum oil, which is used to make gasoline. This is why paraffin wax is considered toxic, but not all wax melts are made of this material.
However, there aren't any widely accepted studies on how paraffin wax candles are harmful to your health. The effects of benzene and toluene have been studied and are harmful, but the amounts of these chemicals in candles are not proven to cause significant harm to your health.
It's always nice to err on the side of caution, and you can find wax melts made of soy or beeswax that do not contain benzene or toluene. These types of wax are completely safe, not controversial, and nontoxic.
Are Wax Melts Safe to Breathe?
As mentioned earlier, the controversy around whether or not wax melt is safe to breathe only matters if it's made of paraffin wax. According to the CDC, some women who breathed in benzene for an extended period of time experienced irregular periods and even smaller ovaries.
That being said, not all wax melts are made from paraffin wax and are safe to breathe. If you opt for a soy-based melt or one made from beeswax, you'll be safe to use it anywhere in your home or office.
Are Wax Melts Safe for Pets?
Wax melts are made with fragrance and/or essential oils. Generally, essential oils are not safe for any dogs or cats the breathe in. It can cause respiratory problems for them such as coughing, sneezing, and even an asthma attack in extreme cases.
It's best to look at the ingredients of your wax melts and to consult a veterinarian to decide if you should use them.
Are Wax Melts Better than Candles?
Wax melts are a better and safer alternative to candles:
- No open-flame
- Soot-free
- Longer burn time
- Less waste
The way you can diffuse their scent makes it the best way to add some fragrance to your house. With wax melts you slowly warm them up with a warmer and it will dissipate the scent. This can happen with a flame-free, or electric, wax warmer where all you need to do is plug it in and turn it on. This eliminates the safety hazard of having an open flame in your home or office space.
You need to burn candles to be able to smell their fragrance. You typically get less burn time with a candle compared to wax melters. Since the wick is on fire and burning the wax, you can strongly smell the fragrances faster but it can make the wax disappear at a faster rate as well. You also run the risk of getting soot on your walls and curtains.
Wax warmers will slowly melt your wax melts without having the wax disappear like a candle. You'll know that it's time to replace your wax melts once there's no scent left. The wax remains in the warmer and you can just discard it and move on to some new wax cubes.
By using wax melts you are also creating less waste for the environment. Glass jars for candles take thousands of years to decompose. Meanwhile, if you are using soy-based wax melts it can take up to 6 weeks to biodegrade.
Wax Melts are Perfectly Safe
Overall, wax melts are safer and better than candles. They aren't bad for you, are completely safe to breathe in, and are better for the environment.
You don't run the risk of having a lit wick in your home that you need to watch carefully until it's time to turn it off. You also can save your curtains and other furniture from any soot or smoke stains that come with burning candles. Wax melts let you clear the air with essential and fragrance oil in a safe way.
They shouldn't be something that causes any concerns about your health or safety. Pick a brand and scent that you prefer and enjoy their relaxing aroma.