Wax melts are a super cool way to make any room smell delicious without ever needing to light a wick! (But you can use a candle warmer if you want to.) They come in different shapes from bars to tubs of wax!
If you have been researching wax melts, you might be wondering just how long do wax melts last? Similar to candles, the answer depends. The production process, quality of wax and oil used, and how a consumer takes care of the melts are all big factors in the length of burn time.
Burn time means how long you can burn a wax melt before it stops having a scent. By using two wax cubes, you can expect about 8-12 hours of scent. Again, that burn time can be more or less depending on some of the factors mentioned earlier.
One way this is classified is based on the fragrance throw of the melt. This term is used to describe how intense the scent is from the wax melt or candle.
To learn how to make the most of your wax melts experience, keep reading to find out how you can make your melts last even longer.
Type of Wax Warmer Used
Some wax warmers can get way too hot, way too fast. This will make the scent a lot more strong as its melting, but will significantly reduce your burn time. If you use a wax burner that doesn't get too hot, your level of fragrance will be less intense. However, you will be able to use the melts for longer.
It's super important to monitor and understand how the temperature on your wax warmer works to maintain your melts' throw. You may even want to set a timer while you use your melts to save some scent for another time. Some brands recommend that you specifically use a wax warmer from their brand as they have the settings set just right for their melts.
How long can you leave a wax warmer on?
Luckily with a candle-lit warmer, you usually have about 4-8 hours of burning until the candle extinguishes. However, it is recommended to use a 4-hour tealight candle, to preserve the scent for longer.
As for electric burners, they can be left on for up to 10 hours at a time. Again, this is not recommended if you are looking to prolong your melts.
How you Burn your Wax Melts
As you know, wax burners help determine the wax melts burn time and their fragrance throw. If you have an electric one, you can experiment by testing different heat levels. Generally, these do not get as hot as tea light burners, meaning they make your melts last a little while longer.
However, if you really love a heavy scent, you should try a candle-lit warmer. This typically gets hotter than an electric warmer, and will offer you a strong hot throw but a shorter burn time.
Type of Wax Melt Used
The manufacturing process of each wax melt will affect how much use you can get out of it. A consumer can't control how each company makes their wax melts, but you can look at the type of wax used. To have the best results you want to look for soy wax-based or beeswax melts.
Some companies use paraffin wax-based wax melts, which contain benzene. This ingredient is controversial and many believe it is not safe for human consumption. It is not recommended to burn these types of melts.
Paraffin is also a non-renewable resource, meaning this is not an eco-friendly way to scent your home. If you are worried about the potential health hazard of burning and the environmental impact of their use, go for a soy-based melt.
Another factor in determining how long a wax melt can last is the amount of fragrance oil used.
Fragrance Oil
Typically, most wax melts have about a 6% fragrance oil concentration. It depends on how many grams of oil is added in proportion to how many grams of wax there are. If a wax melt has 100g of wax and 12g of fragrance oil, then there is a 12% fragrance load.
Generally, a 12% fragrance load will last longer than one of a lesser percentage. However, that may not always be the case as it depends on the wax used and the oil. Sometimes certain waxes and fragrances will only bond to a certain amount. Meaning, if you add more fragrance oil, it will not make a difference.
Another important aspect of how long the scent will last is whether your wax melts have fragrance or essential oils in them. Both do a great job of creating a wonderful scent for any home or office, but oftentimes, fragrance oils last longer.
That is because they are synthetically made to last, as compared to some essential oils that are 100% natural. However, not all essential oils are 100% natural and have synthetic aspects to them as well. Some wax melts even use a combination of the two to create a long-lasting scent perfect for any room.
How long do Wax Melts Last in Storage?
How you use your wax melts has a significant impact on their burn time, starting with how you store them. If your wax melts are out of their packaging, it is important to not stack them. If they are touching, you risk losing some of the fragrance throws of each melt.
For best results, you should keep the unused wax melts in their packaging and store them in a dark and cool place. You do not want any direct sunlight on these melts or for them to be in extreme heat. This will ultimately change the fragrance throw and will shorten the burn time.
Do wax melts lose their scent?
Unlike candles where the wax disappears as you continually use it, wax melts do not evaporate. Instead, they lose their scent, which is how you know it is time for a new one.
Although it is completely for them to lose their scent, the type of wax melt, and how you take care of it can determine how long you have until the scent dissipates.
How often should you change a wax melt?
It is recommended to change out your wax melts once the fragrance is gone. This can be after 5-8 hours of use for lower quality products with less fragrance throw. Or after 12-18 hours for high-quality melts like Devon Wick's.
How long do wax melts last if unused?
Soy wax melts can last up to 2 years if they are stored properly. Some users even believe that their fragrance throw becomes stronger the longer they are stored. This may be because of the cure time for each wax melt.
Curing means that the fragrance/essential oil and the wax have had time to bind together properly. This can take up to 10 days for the melt to cure. You may want to wait a few days after receiving your wax melts to allow it enough time to cure.
How do you make your wax melts last longer?
As mentioned earlier, the burn time of a wax melt depends on the production process, the fragrance oil, and how they are stored/used. It is super important to:
- Clean your wax warmer regularly to get rid of old wax
- Heat your wax melt slowly (watch the temperature)
- Only use it when you need it
Another helpful tip is to switch out scents regularly! If you continuously use only vanilla-scented wax, you can get used to the smell. This can lead to burning your wax melts on a higher setting to try and diffuse more scents. By switching up your wax scent, you can make sure your nose won't become blind to the smell.
The Best Soy Wax Melts
If you are looking for luxury and high-quality soy wax melts, Devon Wick is the spot. They offer a unique melting experience with up to 90 hours of burn time. This is much longer than any of the leading competitors.
Devon Wick puts their customers and the environment first. Their wax melts are handcrafted, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly. Even their packaging keeps sustainability in mind. The best part about all these benefits is that their natural melts are affordable too! You can have it all at a great price with Devon Wick.