Wax Melts Are Not Small Candles
Different product, different rules. No wick means no burn safety concerns. That changes everything.
You can load more fragrance. You can use softer waxes. The wax just needs to melt in a warmer and release scent. That's it.
Why Wax Melts?
Easier to make than candles. No wicking, no testing burn times, no sinkholes to fix.
Higher fragrance loads. Up to 10% is standard. Customers want strong scent.
Lower price point for customers, higher margins for you. Win-win.
EcoSoya Melt Wax Specs
- Melt point: 51-53°C
- Pour temperature: 70-75°C
- Fragrance load: up to 10%
- Colour: Creamy white
Working With Wax Melt Wax
Melting
Heat to 80-85°C until fully liquid. Same as container candle wax.
Adding Fragrance
Add at 75°C. Stir for 2 full minutes.
For wax melts, you can go straight to 10% if you want maximum throw. There's no wick to drown, no burn issues to worry about.
That said, 8% is plenty for most fragrances. Some actually throw better at 8% than 10%.
Adding Colour
Wax melts are often coloured to match the scent. Add dye at the same time as fragrance.
Use candle-safe dyes only. Some craft dyes aren't formulated for wax.
Pouring
Pour at 70-75°C into clamshell moulds or silicone moulds.
For clamshells, fill each cavity to just below the rim. Overfilling makes them hard to remove.
For silicone moulds (shapes, hearts, etc.), pour slowly to avoid air bubbles.
Cooling
Cool at room temperature. Wax melts set faster than container candles because they're smaller.
Don't remove from moulds until completely cool and firm. Usually 2-4 hours.
Mould Options
Clamshells
The standard. 6-cavity plastic clamshells that customers break apart.
Pros: Cheap, easy to use, professional packaging built in.
Cons: Plastic packaging (sustainability concern for some brands).
Silicone Moulds
Hearts, flowers, shapes, seasonal designs. More visually interesting than clamshells.
Pros: Distinctive shapes, no plastic, Instagram-friendly.
Cons: More labour intensive, need separate packaging.
Snap Bars
Long bars that customers snap into pieces. Popular format.
Requires specific moulds or silicone trays with dividers.
Troubleshooting Wax Melts
Sweating (Oily Surface)
Too much fragrance, or stored somewhere too warm.
Fix: Reduce to 8-9%. Store under 22°C.
Frosting
White patches on the surface. Cosmetic only. Doesn't affect scent throw.
Pour cooler (70°C) to reduce it. Or embrace it as a sign of natural wax.
Air Bubbles
Bubbles trapped in the wax, especially in detailed silicone moulds.
Fix: Pour slowly. Tap the mould gently after pouring. Use a heat gun to pop surface bubbles.
Melts Won't Release From Mould
Not cool enough. Wait longer.
Pop the whole mould in the freezer for 10 minutes if you're impatient. The wax contracts slightly and releases.
Weak Scent Throw
In a warmer, weak throw is usually one of three things:
- Fragrance not bound properly (added at wrong temp)
- Cheap or weak fragrance oil
- Warmer not hot enough
Test with a known good fragrance first to rule out the warmer.
Curing Wax Melts
1-2 weeks for full scent development. Same as container candles.
Fresh melts will smell fine, but the cold throw improves with time.
Packaging Wax Melts
CLP Labels
Yes, you need them. Wax melts are subject to the same CLP regulations as candles. Your label needs:
- Product name and fragrance
- Hazard pictograms (if applicable)
- Signal word (Warning or Danger)
- Hazard statements
- Your company name and address
- Weight/quantity
Wax Melt Safety Labels
Include instructions:
- Use only in approved wax warmers
- Do not add water
- Keep away from children and pets
- Do not leave warmer unattended
Seasonal Considerations
Wax melts face the same shipping challenges as candles. They can melt in hot transit.
Summer: Ship early in the week. Use insulated packaging for valuable orders.
Storage: Keep under 25°C. A cupboard indoors is fine. A garden shed in August is not.
Pricing Wax Melts
Lower price point than candles, but higher margins.
Typical UK prices:
- Clamshell (6 cubes, ~50g): £3-5
- Snap bar (~50g): £3-5
- Shaped melts: £2-4 each depending on size
Your cost per melt is mostly fragrance oil. The wax is cheap. The margin is good.
Why Wax Melts?
Entry point for new customers. Lower commitment than a candle.
Quick production. No wick testing, faster turnaround.
Good margins. Low cost to make, reasonable selling price.
Impulse purchases. Easy add-on to candle orders.
Why Not Just Wax Melts?
Lower perceived value than candles. Harder to charge premium prices.
More seasonal. Peak sales around Christmas, slower in summer.
Competition. Lower barrier to entry means more competitors.