When it comes to creating a beautifully scented home, two of the most popular options are wax melts and candles. Each has its unique benefit, but understanding their differences can help you decide which suits your lifestyle best.
In this blog post, I’ll break down what wax melts and candles are, the pros and cons of each, and why wax melts might be the safer, more convenient option for your home.
What Are Wax Melts?
Wax melts are solid blocks of scented wax that are gently heated in a wax melt warmer, releasing fragrance into the air. Unlike candles, wax melts don’t have a wick and don’t burn down or reduce in size. Instead, you heat the wax with a tealight candle enclosed within the warmer or with an electric warmer.
Pros of Wax Melts:
- Safer design: Beautifully Unique (BU) wax melt warmers use tealight candles that are enclosed, so the flame is not exposed. This makes them a safer option than open-flame candles.
- Stronger fragrance throw: Wax melts generally release a more intense and longer-lasting scent because they are heated more gently and don’t burn away.
- Cost-effective: Since wax melts generally last longer than candles, they provide more fragrance for your money.
- Customisable: You can mix and match different wax melt scents to create your own unique blends, something you can’t easily do with candles.
- No soot: Unlike candles, wax melts don’t produce soot, which can damage your walls, furniture, and fabrics over time.
Cons of Wax Melts:
- Requires a warmer: You will need a wax melt warmer, but once you have one, you can reuse it for any melts you buy.
What Are Candles?
Candles are made of wax with a wick in the centre, which you light to release the fragrance as the wax melts and burns down.
Pros of Candles:
- Atmospheric lighting: The soft, flickering light of a candle adds warmth and ambience to any room.
- Widely available: Candles are easy to find in shops and come in a wide variety of scents, shapes, and sizes.
Cons of Candles:
- Open flame risk: Standard candles, especially those left unattended, pose a fire hazard. They can also be dangerous around children and pets.
- Soot production: Many candles, particularly those made from paraffin, produce soot that can damage your walls, ceilings, and furniture.
- Shorter scent throw: Candles can lose their fragrance quickly as they burn, and once the wax is gone, so is the scent.
- More expensive long-term: Since candles burn down, you’ll need to replace them more frequently compared to wax melts.
The Safety Factor: Wax Melts vs Candles
One of the main concerns with candles is the fire hazard they pose. It’s all too easy to leave a candle burning while you’re distracted or busy, and that open flame can become dangerous. With wax melts, especially those used in warmers with enclosed tealight candles, you get the fragrance without the same level of risk. The flame is hidden and contained, which provides extra peace of mind.
However, it’s important to remember that tealight candles used in wax melt warmers should still not be left unattended. Although they don’t pose the same hazard as standard open-flame candles, they require a little caution to ensure safety.
Additionally, soot is another downside to candles. The black smoke produced can leave marks on your walls and ceilings, as well as affect the air quality in your home. Wax melts, on the other hand, don’t produce soot, so they keep your space clean and fresh.
Why Wax Melts Might Be the Better Choice
Wax melts offer a few advantages that may make them a better choice for many homes. The safety, stronger scent throw, and cost-effectiveness of wax melts make them ideal for anyone looking to fill their space with beautiful fragrances without the downsides of an open flame.
How to Use Wax Melts Safely in Your Home
Using wax melts is simple. Just pop one on the top of your warmer, light a tealight candle place it in the warmer enclosure, and enjoy the fragrance as it gently fills the room. Wax melts are great for creating a relaxing environment without the worry of an exposed flame.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a fan of candles or wax melts, it’s important to choose the option that fits your lifestyle and safety needs. At Beautifully Unique, I only sell handmade, vegan-friendly wax melts because I personally believe they offer the perfect balance of safety, affordability, and luxury. From the sweet, calming notes of Nature’s Bluebell to the rich and warming Midnight Amber & Ginger, there’s a scent for every mood and occasion.
Kristelle 💜