If you’re interested in making your own wax melts, you’ll need to gather a few supplies first. This guide will tell you everything you need to get started, from the wax to the scents.
With these supplies, you’ll be able to create your very own scent combinations and customize your melting experience. So, what are you waiting for? Get started today!
Before we jump into supplies lets answer a couple of common wax melt questions.
What Are Wax Melts?
wax melts are scented wax that is melted to release the fragrance. They are safe, clean, and easy to use. You can make wax melts in many different shapes, colours, and sizes.
What’s The Difference Between Wax Melts And Candles?
The main difference between wax melts and candles is that wax melts do not require a wick. Candles rely on a flame to heat the wax and release the scent, while wax melts use an electrical wax warmer or tea light.
Wicks positioning is the most difficult part of candle making, but you don’t have that issue with wax melts.
Candles and wax melts serve a very similar purpose, they are both used to make a space smell nice.
But wax melts have a few advantages over candles. They are safer because there is no need for an open flame. Wax melts are also cheaper to make, so you can save some money if you make them yourself.
Finally, wax melts last longer than candles because you can just let the leftover wax harden and use multiple times.
Now that we know a little bit more about wax melts, let’s talk about supplies!
A lot like candle making, there are a few key supplies you will need in order to get started, and lots of optional extras to make your life easier. We will start with the wax melt making essentials:
1. Wax (Of Course!)
The wax is the base of your wax melts, so it’s important to choose a good quality wax. The type of wax you choose will affect the properties of your wax melt, so it’s worth doing this research before you make a purchase.
There are many different types of wax on the market, but the most popular waxes for making wax melts are Soy wax, Paraffin wax and beeswax.
Soy Wax
If you are looking for a more eco-friendly option, soy wax is a great choice. It is made from renewable vegetable resources and has a low melting point.
The issue with 100% soy wax for wax melts is that they don’t last very long due to the low melting point. We recommend a blend to extend the life of your wax melts. Check it out here.
You can make a homemade wax blend, or buy your wax already mixed.
Paraffin Wax
Paraffin wax is a petroleum-based product, so it is not as eco-friendly as soy wax. However, it is less expensive and has a higher melting point, making it easier to work with for beginners. Paraffin wax also holds colour and scent well, so it is a good choice if you want to add these elements to your wax melts.
Beeswax
Beeswax can be quite expensive, but if you intend to sell your beautiful wax melts beeswax melts also have a higher price tag.
Beeswax is a good choice for wax melts as it has a high melting point allowing the fragrance to disperse slowly into the air, and is a great choice if you want to use natural ingredients.
2. Scents And Oils
Scent is what makes wax melts special. Without scent, they would just be wax! When choosing scents for your wax melts, it’s important to make sure they are compatible with the type of wax you are using. For example, some essential oils will not work well with soy wax.
There are many fragrances available on the market today, but we found this really good set of essential oils that’s perfect to get you started. Check it out here.
There are many different ways to make scented wax melts. You can use fragrance oils, essential oil, or even dried herbs and spices. If you want to get really creative, you can even infuse your wax with scents using botanicals or fruit peels!
3. Moulds And Containers
Wax melts can be made in any shape or size you like. The sky is the limit when it comes to wax melt moulds! You can use silicone moulds, plastic moulds or metal moulds. If you want to get really creative, you could even try making them by hand.
Moulds
The type of mould you use will depend on the look you are going for and how many wax melts you want to make. If you are just starting out, we recommend using silicone moulds. They are easy to use and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. You can even find silicone moulds specifically for making wax melt tarts!
You can also just make simple cubes with an ice cube tray.
Check out our favourite silicone moulds for wax melts here.
Containers
The containers are what you will put your wax melts in once they are cured, so it’s important to choose the right ones. If you are selling your wax melts, this is what can really make you stand out from the competition. We recommend using glass jars with your own really cute label and a ribbon!
If you want to get really creative, you can even use fun shaped containers click the link to check these out.
4. Wax Melt Making Tools
When it come to wax melt making tools , there are loads of different options so we have just included the essentials and a few optional extras to make you life easier.
– A double boiler or melting pot.
This is used to melt your wax. Our article on How To Make Beautiful Candles Using A Double Boiler goes into a lot more detail about this great piece of kit and the double boiler method.
A double boiler allows you to easily melt your wax without burning it, and they are relatively inexpensive. You will need a heat source to use with your double boiler this can be your stove top or a hot plate.
Check out or favourite double boiler here.
If your new to wax melt craft and don’t want to buy a double boiler just yet, you can easily make your own by filling a pan with water and placing a heat-resistant bowl on top.
– A large spoon or spatula
This is used to stir your wax as it melts. We recommend you go for silicone, as metal can cause your wax to clump up sometimes.
You can get a really great set here.
– A thermometer
You will need this to make sure your wax is melted to the correct temperature, a good thermometer saves you a lot of headache!
The Ideal Candle Thermometer is a great choice for creating wax melts.
Optional Tools
These tools are not essential but they will make your life a lot easier!
– A small funnel
You can use this to pour your wax into your moulds or containers, and makes very little mess. Its also great for getting into small spaces.
You can get a great funnel set here.
~ A Heat Gun
A heat gun is used to remove wax from your moulds or containers as inevitably some will stick. They are also great for getting rid of any bubbles that may be in your wax.
You can find our favourite heat gun here.
5. Wax Melt Dye
Wax melts can be made in any colour you like. You have a few options when it comes to dye:
Liquid Dye:
This is the easiest for of dye to use. It is available in a variety of colours. We recommend using wax specific dye as it doesn’t clump.
Block Dye:
Block dye needs to be grated into your wax. It can be a bit messy but it is great for achieving really intense colours. You can find block dye here.
Natural Dye:
You can also use natural ingredients to colour your wax. This could be anything from turmeric to berries.
If you want to get really creative, you could even try using mica powder to add a shimmery effect to your wax melts.
Top Tip: Keep a piece of white paper near by and regularly drip your melted wax to check the colour once set.
6 Scales
Scales are truly essential as you will need to way out the required amount of wax and fragrance oil. They are also great for checking the weight of the completed tarts to ensure consistency.
We recommend using digital scales these Salter scales are really accurate and easy to use.
That’s it For our scented Wax Melt Making Supplies Guide
We hope you found it helpful and you are now armed with all the supplies and information you need to get started on your homemade wax melt making journey! If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.
Happy homemade wax melt making!
Scented Wax Melts Safety Tips
As with any wax product, there are a few safety considerations to take into account:
- Do not leave melting wax unattended.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Do not add water to melted wax.
- If wax gets on your skin, wash with cold water immediately.
- Store your wax in a cool, dark place.
If you enjoyed this article we are sure you will like our other articles on candle craft and wax melts click the button to check them out!
