How Long Does Smell Wax Last?

What is Smell Wax?

Smell wax, also known as scent wax, is a type of wax formulated to melt and release fragrance when heated. It comes in a variety of formats like wax tarts, wax melts, and wax cubes. Smell wax is commonly used in wax warmers to scent and fragrance homes.

The main purpose of smell wax is to provide pleasant and long-lasting home fragrance. It offers an alternative to candles, oil diffusers, room sprays, and other home fragrance methods. When heated in a wax warmer, the wax slowly melts and emits its aroma into the air. Popular uses of smell wax include scenting living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, offices, and other indoor spaces.

There are a few main types of smell wax:

• Paraffin Wax – This petroleum-based wax is commonly used for its cost and performance. It has high fragrance load capacity.
• Soy Wax – Made from soybeans, this natural wax performs well and is biodegradable.
• Beeswax – Beeswax is all-natural but more expensive than paraffin and soy.
• Blended Wax – Many brands blend paraffin, soy, beeswax, and other waxes to optimize performance.

Overall, smell wax offers a versatile way to keep indoor spaces smelling fresh and pleasant. It comes in many formats, wax types, and fragrances to suit different home scents.

How Smell Wax Works

Smell wax, sometimes called wax melts or wax tarts, works through a simple process of heat and fragrance release. The main ingredients in smell wax are wax, typically soy or paraffin, and fragrance oils. When the wax is heated, either by a wax warmer, candle warmer, or other heat source, it begins to slowly melt. As the wax melts, the fragrance oils that have been mixed into the wax are released into the air. The wax continues melting over time, letting out more fragrance, until it has fully liquefied. The liquified wax is then absorbed into the wick or dish of the wax warmer or absorbed into the air as vapor.

The key to this process is the fragrance oils. These are concentrated aromatic oils made from natural ingredients like fruits, flowers, herbs, and spices or synthetic aroma chemicals. They are mixed into the wax base before it solidifies so that the fragrance becomes infused in the wax. As the wax melts, the fragrance is released to scent the surrounding area with the oils’ aroma. The wax essentially acts as a carrier and delivery method for dispersing the fragrance over a period of time.

Wax warmers use this melting process to heat the wax indirectly, either with a small light bulb or tealight candle underneath a dish that holds the wax. The dish absorbs the heat and transfers it to the wax so it slowly melts and releases its scent. The wax warmer’s wick or dish also absorbs some of the melted wax, helping maximize fragrance dispersal. This allows the wax to emit its aroma steadily over hours, filling the space with pleasant ambience.

Smell Wax Formats

Smell wax comes in a variety of formats that each have their advantages. The main formats are:

Melts

Melts are small, flat squares or circles of wax. They are designed to fully melt in a wax warmer. Melts allow you to change scents frequently and sample many fragrances. They melt quickly and smell strongly.

Tarts

Tarts are small pie-shaped pieces of wax. Like melts, they fully melt in a wax warmer and provide a strong fragrance. Their shape makes them easy to cut and mix-and-match scent combinations.

Votives

Votive candles are small cylindrical candles, usually around 1-2 inches tall. They are designed to melt in candle holders and warmers. Votives allow the wax to pool as it melts, providing fragrance over several hours.

Jars

Scented wax jars are wide mouth jars filled with wax. They provide light and ambiance in addition to fragrance. Jars allow the wax to melt slowly from the top down, providing aroma for weeks.

Warmers

Warmers are devices that gently heat melts, tarts, and votive candles to release their aroma. Popular styles include ceramic dish warmers, electric warmers, and candle warmers.

Smell Wax Fragrance Throw

The “throw” of a smell wax refers to the strength of the fragrance and how well it spreads throughout a room. When a wax has a strong throw, you’ll be able to smell the fragrance from across the room. With a weaker throw, you may only notice the scent when you’re right next to the wax melt.

There are a few key factors that affect a smell wax’s throw:

• Wax type – soy wax generally has a stronger scent throw than paraffin wax.
• Fragrance oil strength – the concentration and quality of the fragrance oil used in the wax directly impacts throw. Stronger oils lead to better throw.
• Wax shape and size – wax melts with a larger surface area will have a stronger throw than smaller pieces or shapes.

Here are some tips for maximizing fragrance throw with smell wax:

• Go for soy wax melts rather than paraffin.
• Look for wax melts scented with high concentrations of fragrance oil.
• Avoid weaker scents like clean/fresh/laundry – stick to strong florals, bakery, and fruity scents.
• Use an essential oil warmer instead of a candle warmer – the open design disperses fragrance better.
• Make sure your wax warmer plate is clean before adding a new wax melt.
• Don’t place wax warmer in an enclosed area or high traffic location.

With the right type of wax and warmer, you can maximize fragrance throw for a stronger scented experience.

Smell Wax Longevity

The longevity of smell wax depends on whether it has been melted and used or is still in its original unused form. When melted in a wax warmer, the scented fragrance oils in smell wax typically last between 4-6 hours on average. However, factors like the size of the room, airflow, and wax quality can shorten or extend this timeframe. Once the wax has cooled and solidified again, it can be reheated multiple times while still releasing fragrance, though the scent throw will diminish with each successive melting.

In its original solid cube or shape, unused smell wax has a very long shelf life. If properly stored, the fragrance oils can remain potent and the wax usable for multiple years. Tightly sealed packaging prevents the essential oils from evaporating. Cool, dry storage away from direct light and heat also helps maximize longevity. The wax itself has an indefinite shelf life. With proper storage and handling, quality smell wax can last 3-5 years or longer before losing its original aromatic properties when melted and heated.

To get the most use and enjoyment out of smell wax over time, keep unused wax in its original packaging or tightly wrapped/sealed, store in a cool dark place like a cupboard or drawer, and avoid temperature extremes. Used wax should be allowed to cool and solidify between uses and can be preserved for months by keeping in an airtight container. With optimal storage and handling, smell wax can provide many hours of aromatic ambiance over an extended period.

Maximizing Smell Wax Life

There are some simple tips and tricks you can use to extend the life and maximize the fragrance throw of your smell wax:

Double Pouring

Double pouring involves pouring a second layer of wax on top of an existing wax cube or melt. This helps the fragrance last longer by providing more wax volume for the scent to permeate. Allow the first pour to fully cure before adding a second layer.

Use Sealing Bags

Storing unused wax melts in an airtight sealing bag helps lock in the fragrance and prevent it from escaping. This keeps the wax fresh and highly scented for longer.

Proper Burner Maintenance

It’s important to clean your wax warmer regularly by wiping away wax residue after each use. This prevents soot buildup which can clog the warmer and lead to improper melting.

Avoid Overheating

Be careful not to overheat your wax. Excessive heat can burn the wax which damages the fragrance. Melt wax at the lowest possible temperature to preserve the scent quality.

Recycling and Reuse

Smell wax enthusiasts often wonder how to safely reuse or recycle products once the fragrance has faded. There are creative ways to repurpose used wax melts, tarts, and jars to reduce waste:

Safe ways to reuse old wax:

– Melt down old wax in a double boiler and combine with new wax to make DIY melts or tarts. This helps use up the last bits of fragrance.

– Use unscented wax remnants to make flameless candles or wax melts for layering scents.

– Add bits of old wax to wax warmers when melting new tarts to boost fragrance.

Creative crafts with used tarts/jars:

– Clean out empty jars and use them to store Q-tips, cotton balls, jewelry, or bathroom items.

– Melt down used tarts and pour into silicone molds to make new wax melts or candles.

– Decorate jars with paint, twine, and other craft supplies to create custom canisters.

Recycling options for smell wax:

– Check with your local recycling center, some accept candles and wax for recycling.

– Put spent wax in normal trash unless prohibited by your waste management provider.

– Repurpose packaging from orders by reusing bubble mailers or tissue paper for gifts.

Safety Tips

When using smell wax, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Here are some tips for using smell wax safely:

Ensure proper ventilation when melting smell wax. The wax can produce fumes, so melt it in a well-ventilated area and never leave melting wax unattended. Keep windows open or use a fan to circulate fresh air.

Keep pets and small children away from lit or melting smell wax. The hot wax can drip or spill and cause burns. Place wax melts out of reach of kids and pets.

Avoid breathing in wax vapors for prolonged periods. Though smell wax is largely considered safe, inhaling too much of the scent over time may cause headaches or nausea in some. Take breaks from strongly scented spaces occasionally.

Never burn smell wax around anyone with respiratory issues like asthma. The fumes can trigger breathing problems. Check with a doctor before using smell wax if you have respiratory concerns.

In summary, use basic precautions like ventilation, keeping wax out of reach of kids and pets, and avoiding overexposure to wax vapors. This will allow you to enjoy smell wax safely.

Top Smell Wax Brands

Some of the most popular smell wax brands include Scentsy, Yankee Candle, Walmart’s Better Homes & Gardens, and Chesapeake Bay Candle. These brands offer a wide selection of scents at various price points.

Scentsy is one of the leading smell wax companies with consultants selling products through home parties and online. Their wax for scented warmers comes in over 80 fragrances with favorites like Hawaiian Lei, Citrus & Vanilla, and Clean Breeze. Scentsy wax bars retail for $5-6 each.

Yankee Candle is another top brand available both online and in major retailers. Their wax tarts for electric warmers contain Yankee’s classic candle scents like Midsummer’s Night, Pink Sands, and Lemon Lavender. These sell for $1-2 per tart.

Chesapeake Bay Candle and Walmart’s Better Homes & Gardens brand offer more affordable options. Their wax cubes can cost as low as $0.97 each. Top sellers include Christmas scents like Peppermint Twist as well as fruity fragrances like Juicy Peach.

Most smell wax ranges from $1-6 per cube depending on the brand, scent, and source. By shopping sales or buying in bulk, costs per cube can be minimized. Testing different wax brands helps find the ideal scents and value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Smell wax can seem confusing at first, but most questions have pretty simple answers. Here are some of the most common questions people have when starting out with wax melts.

Common Questions About Using Wax Melts

How long do wax melts last? On average, a wax melt cube or tart will provide fragrance for 4-6 hours. Larger formats like melts and wax “cakes” can last 8-12 hours.

How do you use wax melts? Simply place a wax melt cube in a tart burner, wax warmer, or electric wax melter. The heat will slowly melt the wax and release the fragrance. No need to light a flame.

Where should I put my wax melter? Place it in a central area where airflow can spread the scent around. Bedrooms and living rooms often work well.

Troubleshooting Burning and Scent Issues

Why isn’t my wax melt producing much scent? Ensure your wax melt is fully melted. Keep the wax warmer on for at least 15 minutes to pool the wax before blowing it out. Lower or higher temperatures can also impact scent throw.

Why is there smoke or soot on my wax melt? The wax is getting too hot. Turn down your wax warmer or use a lower setting. Soot can also build up over time and require occasional cleaning.

Why did my wax melt tunnel or wax pull away from the sides? This is usually due to not keeping the wax at the proper melting temperature. Try a lower setting next time.

Wax Melts vs. Candles vs. Oils

How do wax melts compare to candles? Both can effectively fragrance a room. Wax melts often provide stronger fragrance and allow mixing scents. Candles can provide a flame ambience.

Should I get a wax melt or essential oil diffuser? Diffusers provide more natural fragrance but no visual effect. Wax melts offer longer fragrance and come in more complex scents.

Why are wax melts better than oils or candles? It’s about personal preference. Wax melts provide versatility in fragrance options, room coverage, and duration over other products.