Wax Melt Safety Tips and Care
Wax melts are simple by design. No flame to watch, no wick to tend. But they work best and most safely when you understand how the wax and warmer work together. This page covers everything you need to know before your first use and after.
How to Choose a Warmer
Use only a warmer designed specifically for wax melts. That means a UL-listed electric warmer or a tea-light warmer made for this purpose. Do not use warmers intended for oil, potpourri, or other materials, as they may reach temperatures the wax is not formulated for.
Electric warmers are the simpler choice. No open flame, consistent heat, and straightforward to manage. If you prefer a tea-light warmer, use only unscented tea lights with a 4 to 6 hour burn time. Larger tea lights generate more heat than most warmers are designed to handle.
Getting Started
Remove all packaging before use. Place your warmer on a stable, heat-resistant surface. A ceramic tile, a slate trivet, or any surface that will not transfer heat to what sits beneath it works well. Keep the warmer at least 12 inches from curtains, drapes, and other flammable materials, and never place it near an open window where airflow could bring those materials into contact with it. Keep out of reach of children and pets.
How Much Wax to Use
Place one or two cubes in the warmer dish and allow them to melt. The fragrance releases as the wax warms. You do not need to fill the dish to get a strong scent. Overfilling can reduce scent throw and may cause wax to spill if the warmer is moved.
Do not add water to the dish. Do not use wax melts on a stovetop, in an oven, or in a microwave. They are designed for use in wax melt warmers only.
Safety
Whether you are using an electric warmer or a tea-light warmer, these rules apply without exception.
Never leave a warmer unattended while in use. Keep the warmer out of reach of children and pets at all times. Use only in well-ventilated areas, away from flammable materials. Do not add water to the dish. For tea-light warmers, stop use when less than ½ inch of wax remains in the dish to prevent the dish from overheating. Read and follow all instructions that came with your warmer before use.
If you are using a tea-light warmer, treat the open flame with the same attention you would give any candle.
When the Scent Fades
The wax itself does not evaporate. Only the fragrance does. When the scent fades, the wax is spent and ready to be swapped.
Let the wax cool and solidify completely before removing it. Most wax will contract slightly as it cools and can be lifted from the dish in one piece. If the wax is still liquid, a cotton ball or paper towel will absorb it cleanly. Wipe the dish before adding new wax.
Do not pour liquid wax down the drain. Allow it to cool and dispose of it in the trash.
Warmer Heat and Scent Life
If your warmer has an adjustable heat setting, it is worth experimenting. Lower heat releases fragrance more slowly and tends to extend the life of each cube. Higher heat produces a stronger initial scent but the fragrance may fade faster. Neither setting is wrong. It depends on the room size and how you want the scent to behave.
Each Travel Wicks wax melt bar contains 6 cubes and is formulated for a total of 36 to 48 hours of fragrance life across all six cubes. Warmer heat settings, room size, and air circulation all affect how long that fragrance lasts. Higher heat will shorten it; lower heat will extend it.
Storage
Store unused wax melts away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Both will degrade fragrance over time. A cabinet or drawer works well. For best fragrance, use within 12 months of purchase.
Reading Your Label
Every Travel Wicks wax melt includes safety information printed on the inside cover of the clamshell. Open it before your first use.
Your warmer is ready. Build your journey.