How to Use Wax Melts: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Wax melts are one of the easiest and safest ways to fill your home with fragrance — no flame required. If you're new to them, here's everything you need to know, from how they work to the best way to use them.
How do wax melts work?
Wax melts are small cubes of scented wax that you melt in a wax burner. The burner's gentle heat — from a tealight underneath or an electric element — warms the wax just enough to release its fragrance into the air, with no flame ever touching the wax itself. There's nothing to burn down: when the scent fades, the wax is simply spent, and you swap in a fresh cube.
What you'll need
Just two things: some wax melts and a wax burner (also called a warmer). Burners come in two types — tealight burners, which use a small candle underneath, and electric burners, which plug in. Our two-piece ceramic burners, like the Soft Green and Beige tapered burners, suit any interior.
How to use wax melts, step by step
- Add one or two cubes to the dish at the top of your burner.
- Light the tealight underneath, or switch on your electric burner.
- Enjoy the fragrance as the wax melts and scent fills the room — usually within a few minutes.
- When the scent fades, extinguish the tealight or switch off, and let the wax cool and harden.
- Pop out the old wax and add fresh cubes to start again.
How many wax melt cubes should I use?
One to two cubes is plenty for most rooms. Start with one and add another if you'd like a stronger scent — a small bedroom needs less than an open-plan living space. There's no need to overfill the dish; more wax doesn't always mean more fragrance.
How long do wax melts last?
A single cube typically gives several hours of fragrance, and a 4-pack lasts a good while depending on how often you use it. For the full breakdown, see our guide: how long do wax melts last?
How to change and clean your wax melts
When a melt has lost its scent, let the wax cool and solidify, then gently pop it out of the dish — it should lift out in one piece. Wipe the dish with a dry cloth or piece of kitchen towel, and you're ready for the next scent. Never pour melted wax down the sink.
Tealight vs electric burners
Tealight burners give a lovely warm glow and are inexpensive; electric burners are completely flame-free and ideal for homes with children or pets, or for running a little longer. Both work beautifully with our hand-poured melts — it comes down to whether you want the candlelight effect or the convenience.
The best wax melt scents to start with
If you're choosing your first melts, start with a crowd-pleaser. Our bestselling Vanilla & Patchouli is warm and widely loved; explore more in our vanilla and amber ranges. Want to try several? The Wax Melt Club sends three surprise scents to your door every month.
Frequently asked questions
Are wax melts better than candles?
Neither is strictly better — wax melts are flame-free and let you switch scents easily, while candles offer a warm glow. Our guide to wax melts vs candles compares them in full.
How many times can you use a wax melt?
Each cube is used until its fragrance fades — usually over several hours of melting — then replaced. You don't reuse a cube once the scent has gone.
Do you have to change wax melts?
Yes. Once a melt stops releasing scent, the fragrance oil is spent, so you pop out the old wax and add a fresh cube. The wax doesn't evaporate, so it won't disappear on its own.
Can you mix wax melt scents?
Absolutely — combining cubes from two complementary scents is a fun way to create your own blend. Start with scents from the same family for a harmonious result.
Browse our full range of hand-poured wax melts and ceramic burners, made in the UK.
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