How Do You Use Essential Wax Cubes?

What Are Essential Wax Cubes?

Essential wax cubes are small cubes made from a blend of waxes and oils that are infused with essential oils to provide fragrance. The cubes are designed to melt slowly in a wax warmer, releasing their scent into the air over time (source: https://www.shutterstock.com/search/aroma-object?image_type=photo&page=13).

The cubes are typically made from a blend of paraffin wax, soy wax, palm wax, and other natural waxes. Essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, cinnamon, citrus, and others are added to give the cubes their fragrance. The oils comprise anywhere from 1-3% of the cubes’ total weight.

When placed in a wax warmer and heated, the wax cubes melt slowly and the aroma from the essential oils is released into the air. The wax itself does not have a scent. The cubes are meant to provide pleasant ambient fragrance rather than strong aromatherapy benefits.

Wax cubes are popular air freshener options because they allow you to control the fragrance level in your home. They also provide longer-lasting fragrance compared to candles or sprays. People use them in any room of the home or office to make the space smell fresh and pleasant.

Different Types of Wax Cubes

There are several types of wax commonly used to make wax cubes, each with their own advantages and disadvantages:

Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum. It is inexpensive and makes a strong scent throw. However, paraffin releases more soot and requires proper ventilation (suffolkcandles.co.uk).

Soy Wax

Soy wax is made from soybeans. It’s renewable, natural, and biodegradable. Soy wax doesn’t release soot or toxins. However, it’s more expensive and can have a shorter scent throw (marthastewart.com).

Beeswax

Beeswax is all-natural, non-toxic, and biodegradable. It has a lovely honey aroma when burned. However, beeswax is expensive and has a low melting point (suffolkcandles.co.uk).

Coconut Wax

Coconut wax comes from coconuts. It’s natural, clean burning, and has a great scent throw. However, it can be brittle and prone to oil separation (marthastewart.com).

Scented vs Unscented

Scented wax cubes contain fragrance oils or essential oils that release a pleasant aroma when melted. The fragrance is infused directly into the wax blend during manufacturing (source). Popular scented wax cube fragrances include floral, fruity, baked goods, spice, and seasonal themes. The scent profile can be complex with multiple layered notes.

Unscented wax cubes contain no added fragrances. They provide aromatic benefits through the natural scent of the base wax, which is often a mild, warm, candle-like smell (source). Unscented cubes allow you to layer and mix your own fragrance oils without competeing scents. They’re ideal if you have scent sensitivities or prefer lighter, customizable aromas.

Both scented and unscented cubes release fragrance as they melt, filling the room with the scent. Scented cubes provide pre-made aroma profiles, while unscented cubes offer flexibility. The choice comes down to personal preference and fragrance needs.

Heating Options

There are a few different ways to heat wax cubes to release their fragrance. The most popular heating methods are wax warmers, candles, and the stovetop.

Wax warmers are specifically designed for melting wax cubes and come in electric and candle-heated varieties. Electric warmers plug into an outlet and use a low-watt bulb or hot plate to melt the wax. Candle warmers use a tealight or votive candle to heat the wax. Wax warmers evenly distribute heat, allowing for consistent melting and fragrance throw. They are safe, convenient, and easy to use. Simply place a cube in the metal warming dish and turn on the device [1].

Wax cubes can also be placed on top of a burning candle to melt from the heat. This takes a bit longer than a dedicated wax warmer. Be sure to use a large pillar or jar candle so the wax completely covers the flame when placed on top. Never leave a melting cube unattended as it can slide off and create a fire hazard.

Cubes can be melted in a heat-safe container on the stovetop over low heat. Use a double boiler method to gently warm until the wax is fully liquid. Constantly monitor to prevent overheating. Remove promptly once melted to avoid combustion. The stovetop allows melting larger amounts of wax at once.

Regardless of the heating method, never leave melting wax unattended. Keep wax away from children and pets as the wax and warmers can cause burns. Extinguish all flames before leaving a room. Allow melted wax to fully harden before handling or discarding to prevent messes and injuries.

Mixing and Layering Scents

One of the best things about essential wax cubes is that you can mix and match scents to create custom fragrances. When layering scents, start with lighter scents on the bottom and stronger scents on top. Here are some tips for combining scents:

Go for complementary scents in the same fragrance family like floral, fruity, or spice. For example lavender and lemon create a nice, fresh blend.

Stick to 2-3 cube scents at a time so they don’t compete. Allow each fragrance note to shine through.

Consider scent intensity. Balance weaker scents with a small amount of a stronger fragrance.

Popular scent combinations include:

• Floral – Lavender, rose, jasmine
• Fruity – Strawberry, peach, citrus
• Woodsy – Pine, cedar, fir needle
• Spice – Cinnamon, clove, vanilla

Feel free to get creative and make custom blends that suit your home. Just avoid mixing more than 3-4 scents at a time.

Storing Wax Cubes

Proper storage of wax cubes is important for preserving the fragrance and performance. The main enemies of wax cubes are light, heat, and humidity. Storing wax cubes in a cool, dark place helps maintain the scent quality for longer.

The best containers for storing wax cubes are airtight ones like jars, tins, or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Glass jars are ideal as they block light while keeping cubes free from moisture and dust. Keep containers away from direct sunlight and avoid storing them near heat sources like ovens or heating vents which can cause cubes to melt prematurely.

Many people prefer to keep wax cubes in the refrigerator as the cooler temperature helps prolong scent life, but take care not to store them next to foods with strong odors. Allow refrigerated cubes to come to room temperature before use. Freezing is not recommended as condensation can develop when thawing. With proper sealed storage at room temperature or in the fridge, most wax cubes will maintain optimal fragrance for 6-12 months.

Check cubes occasionally and if they start losing scent potency or become dried out, it’s time to replace them. Properly stored wax cubes should have a long shelf life, saving you money and letting you enjoy your favorite fragrances for extended periods.

Caring for Your Wax Warmer

Properly caring for your wax warmer is important for safety and performance. This involves regular cleaning and maintenance.

To clean your wax warmer dish, allow the wax to completely melt and cool. Then use a rubber spatula or scraper to remove any wax residue from the dish (Source). You can also soak up melted wax with a cotton cloth or ball. Avoid using water or other liquids to clean an electric wax warmer, as this can damage the unit. Allow all surfaces to fully dry before adding new wax.

For scent wax warmers, replace the wax cube frequently and clean the dish often to prevent wax buildup. Also wipe down the warmer’s exterior as needed. Refer to the manufacturer’s care guidelines for any specific instructions. Unplug the warmer before cleaning and when not in use.

Check electrical cords for damage periodically. Position the wax warmer safely away from flammable items and never leave unattended. Allow wax to fully pool before blowing out a flame warmer or turning off the unit (Source). With proper care, your wax warmer should provide enjoyment for years.

Popular Brands

Some of the most popular and trusted essential wax cube brands include Happy Wax, Scentsy, Yankee Candle, and Walmart’s Mainstays brand. Here’s an overview of the top brands and what makes them unique:

Happy Wax is known for their fun, creative scents like Unicorn Farts and Mermaid Kisses. They use premium fragrances and have a large selection of over 400 scents to choose from. Happy Wax emphasizes customization – you can design your own 6 cube sampler pack.

Scentsy is one of the original and largest wax cube companies. They are known for their safe, high quality waxes and warmers. Scentsy has over 80 fragrances to pick from and promotes a direct sales model with independent consultants.

Yankee Candle is a classic brand that has been around for decades. They have iconic candle scents like Midsummer’s Night and Lilac Blossoms available as wax cubes. Yankee focuses on nostalgic, natural fragrances.

Mainstays is Walmart’s private brand of wax cubes. They offer affordable essential oil cubes in popular scents like Fresh Linen and Wildflower Honey. Mainstays is a budget-friendly option that still provides quality.

Making Your Own Cubes

Making your own scented wax cubes at home is a fun DIY project that allows you to customize scents. The basic supplies you’ll need include:

• Wax – Look for soy wax, beeswax, or paraffin wax. Beeswax and soy wax are natural options.
• Scent oils – Use essential oils or fragrance oils to add your desired scents.
• Double boiler – This allows you to gently melt the wax.
• Mixing spoons and containers – For blending the wax and oils.
• Silicone molds – Look for candy or ice cube tray style molds.
• Dye – Optional for adding color.

Start by melting the wax in your double boiler until fully liquefied. Remove from heat and mix in 20-30 drops of essential oils per cup of wax. Stir well to fully incorporate. At this point, you can add liquid dye if you want colored cubes. Carefully pour the wax into your molds, filling each cavity. Allow the wax to fully set and harden before removing from the molds. Your homemade scented wax cubes are now ready to use!

For more details and tips, check out these step-by-step tutorials:
https://jessicawellinginteriors.com/how-to-make-wax-melts/

Troubleshooting Issues

Common issues with wax melts include:

• Cracks and uneven melting: This can occur if the wax cubes are cooled too quickly. Avoid cooling the wax in the fridge or freezer. Allow the wax to cool slowly at room temperature (Source).
• Not melting properly: Check that your wax warmer is providing adequate heat to fully melt the wax. Replace bulbs or warmers if needed (Source).
• Scent not throwing: Try layering multiple scent cubes in your warmer to strengthen the fragrance. Dust the wax with fragrance oil before melting.
• Wax residue buildup: Clean your warmer regularly to prevent wax buildup. Use cotton swabs and rubbing alcohol to remove residue.

Replace your wax warmer bulbs frequently for optimal performance. Discard cubes that are over 2 years old as the fragrance can diminish over time.