How Long Do Wax Melts Last?

Last updated on June 5th, 2024 at 01:56 pm

Wax melts are a great candle alternative. Just pop these small bits of wax into a warmer and they will fill your home with a terrific fragrance.

But how long do these melts last? And how long is their shelf life after you buy them?

This article will address these questions, so you know what to expect from your wax melt.

Let’s dive right in.

How Long Do Wax Melts Emit a Fragrance While Burning?

The amount of time the wax melt emits a fragrance while burning varies according to the quality and size of the wax melt you are using as well as the temperature of the warmer.

A single cube typically lasts between 6 and 12 hours. So, if a cube lasts 10 hours, and you add six to your warmer, you will have 60 hours of fragrant burn time.

If you burn wax melts for an hour or two a day, six cubes will get you a month or two of use. If you burn them round the clock, they will use up sooner.

A powerful, good quality wax will fill your home with enough of a fragrance that a few hours of burn a day will be sufficient in getting your rooms smelling great.

Factors That Affect How Long Wax Melts Last

6 to 12 hours is a pretty big discrepancy when considering how long wax melts last, so let’s look at the factors that effect the melt rate so you can get a better idea what you can expect from your products.

Type of Warmer Used

The hotter your warmer gets, the stronger the fragrance will be, but it will also cut down the time of scent release.

The instructions in your warmer product will probably give you some idea of how long the wax should be burning for and what temperature the warmer should be set to.

But these estimations will be most accurate if you use wax that’s made by the same brand as the warmer.

That’s because different types of waxes have different oil to wax ratios which affect melt temperatures.

The company will be aware of the oil to wax ratios in their product and will provide information according to what works best for their waxes and warmers.

Oil to Wax Ratio

The oil to wax ratio will also affect how strong the fragrance is. Most brands add 1 oz of fragrant oil for every 1 lb. of wax, but this can vary.

If more oil is used, it may produce a more powerful aroma, but its scent is limited as the oil can only bind itself to a certain amount of wax.

Fragrance Oils or Essential Oils

There are two types of oils that can be used to give wax melts their scent, fragrance oils and essential oils.

Fragrance oils are genetically made while essential oils are natural oils derived from plants.

Because fragrance oils are synthetic, they are not volatile, and they will last longer than essential oils.

Storage

The way you store your wax melts will help them last longer and retain their fragrance better.

It is recommended that you keep them in a cool dry place.

Avoid keeping them in the heat where they can melt and begin losing their fragrant properties.

What is the Shelf Life of Wax Melts?

If wax melts are properly stored and feature a high-quality design and packaging, they can last up to a year.

If you find wax melts in your home that are over a year old, you can still burn them, but their fragrance may not be as powerful.

Changing Wax Melts Once They’ve Lost Their Fragrance

Once wax melts have lost their fragrance, you will want to change them out and add new ones. You can do this in one of two ways.

If the wax has hardened, just turn on the warmer for 10 or 15 minutes.

Once it melts, place a ribbon in it and leave it there until the wax hardens.

Once hardened, pull on the ribbon. The wax should come out in one piece.

You can also soak up the melted wax with cotton balls.

Put several cotton balls in the warmer after the wax has melted. One cotton ball for each cube of wax in the warmer is recommended.

The cotton balls will soak up the wax. Then you can throw them away.

How Long Do Wax Melts Last: Conclusion

View Wax Melts on Amazon Here!

Now that you know how long wax melts last, you have a better idea of what to expect from your burning experience.

I hope you’ve found this article helpful and interesting, and I wish you lots of fun in making your home smell great!

Here are some related articles you may also enjoy:

What Are Wax Melts and How To Use Them
How To Store Crystals