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If you're passionate about fragrance and looking for a creative side hustle or small business idea, learning how to make wax melts to sell could be the perfect opportunity. Wax melts are an affordable, easy-to-make, and in-demand product, especially among home fragrance lovers. They’re a fun way to blend artistry and business - and when done right, they can generate consistent sales online, at markets, or in local shops.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to make wax melts to sell, from ingredients and equipment to safety, packaging, pricing, and legal considerations. Whether you're starting from scratch or refining your process, this step-by-step blog will help you build a strong foundation for your wax melt business.
Why Sell Wax Melts?
Before we get into the how, let’s talk about the why. Wax melts have seen a boom in popularity in recent years. Customers love them for their variety of scents, affordability, and ease of use. They’re safer than candles (no open flame needed) and ideal for people who want to switch scents regularly.
From a business perspective, wax melts:
Are inexpensive to make
Offer high profit margins
Allow you to be creative with scents, shapes, and colours
Don’t require a massive upfront investment
Now, let’s break down exactly how to make wax melts to sell.
Step 1: Understand What Wax Melts Are
Wax melts are small, scented pieces of wax that are melted in a wax burner (electric or tea-light) to release fragrance into the air. Unlike candles, they don’t have a wick and aren’t designed to burn. Instead, they simply melt and re-solidify after cooling, ready to be used again until the scent fades.
Step 2: Gather Your Ingredients and Tools
Here’s what you’ll need to start making wax melts:
Ingredients:
Wax: Choose a wax with a strong scent throw. Popular options include:
Soy wax (eco-friendly and vegan)
Paraffin wax (strong scent throw, lower cost)
Coconut wax or blended waxes (luxury options)
Fragrance oil: Use high-quality, undiluted oils suitable for wax melts. Follow recommended usage rates - usually between 6% - 10%.
Dye (optional): You can use liquid dyes, dye chips, or mica powder for colouring your melts. Always check for compatibility with your chosen wax.
Tools:
Pouring jug or heat-safe container
Thermometer (digital or candy thermometer)
Kitchen scale
Stirring stick or spoon
Wax melt moulds (clam shells, snap bars, hearts, etc.)
Double boiler or wax melter
Labels and packaging
Step 3: Learn About Fragrance Load and Testing
One of the most important aspects of how to make wax melts to sell is achieving a good scent throw - both cold throw (before melting) and hot throw (while melting).
This is influenced by:
Wax type
Fragrance oil quality
Correct fragrance load (how much oil is used)
Proper curing time (usually 1–2 weeks for soy wax)
Test different fragrance loads (start with 5%) and always follow the supplier’s guidelines. Overloading wax with fragrance oil can lead to sweating, poor scent performance, or safety issues.
Step 4: Make a Test Batch
Here’s a basic method to follow when making a small batch of wax melts:
Instructions:
Measure your wax – For beginners, start with 100g of wax.
Melt the wax – Use a double boiler setup to gently melt your wax to the recommended temperature (usually around 70–75°C depending on the wax).
Add dye (if using) – Stir in your colour while the wax is still hot.
Cool slightly and add fragrance oil – Once the wax cools to the ideal fragrance temperature (usually 60–65°C), stir in the fragrance oil thoroughly.
Pour into moulds – Carefully pour the mixture into your moulds.
Allow to set – Let the wax melts harden fully before removing from moulds (usually a few hours).
Cure the melts – For best scent throw, let them cure in a cool, dry place for 7–14 days (depending on the wax used).
Step 5: Test Your Products Thoroughly
Before you start selling, test every scent and wax combination. Use your own wax burner to experience the cold and hot throw, check for sweating or cracking, and ensure the melts perform well.
Testing also includes:
Melting time and scent longevity
How easy the melt is to remove from the burner
Storage stability (especially in warm weather)
Document your results so you can refine your process and offer the best possible product.
Step 6: Package Your Wax Melts Professionally
Presentation matters - especially when selling online or at craft fairs. Consider packaging options such as:
Clamshells – Popular, practical, and easy to store.
Snap bars – A customer favorite, often wrapped in eco-friendly biodegradable bags.
Mini shapes in jars or bags – Great for samplers or gift sets.
Always include:
Fragrance name
Safety labels (CLP-compliant if selling in the UK/EU - This is a legal requirement!)
Ingredients (especially allergens!)
Instructions for use
Step 7: Comply With Legal Requirements
Learning how to make wax melts to sell isn't just about crafting - it's about responsibility. Depending on where you live, you’ll need to meet certain legal requirements.
For example, in the UK and EU, you must:
Comply with CLP (Classification, Labelling, and Packaging) Regulations
Register your products with relevant authorities
Keep records of your batches and testing
Have proper insurance (such as Product Liability Insurance). Optional but highly recommended.
If you’re in a different country, research your local requirements carefully. Customers value transparency and professionalism - showing you follow the rules builds trust.
Step 8: Price Your Wax Melts for Profit
When figuring out how to make wax melts to sell, don’t forget the business side. Pricing is crucial to your success. Factor in:
Cost of ingredients (wax, fragrance, dye)
Packaging and labels
Time spent making and testing
Overheads (electricity, insurance, website fees)
Desired profit margin
A common pricing formula is:
Cost of product × 2 to 2.5 = Wholesale price
Wholesale price × 2 = Retail price
So, if your wax melts cost £1 to make, your retail price could be around £4.
Step 9: Start Selling
Once your products are tested, packaged, and priced, it’s time to sell! You can start with platforms like:
Etsy
Shopify or your own website
Facebook Marketplace or Instagram Shop
Local markets and craft fairs
Wholesale to local gift shops or salons
Make sure your branding is on point - your logo, scent descriptions, product photography, and tone of voice all matter when creating a memorable customer experience.
Step 10: Gather Feedback and Grow
Your first customers will be your greatest teachers. Ask for reviews, learn what scents are most popular, and refine your product line. You can even experiment with themed collections, seasonal scents, or custom gift sets to keep your business fresh and exciting.
Final Thoughts: How To Make Wax Melts To Sell
Learning how to make wax melts to sell is a rewarding journey that blends creativity, scent science, and entrepreneurship. By taking the time to perfect your recipe, test thoroughly, meet safety requirements, and present your brand professionally, you can turn your passion for fragrance into a thriving business.
Whether you're selling part-time or dreaming of a full-time wax melt empire, the key is consistency, quality, and connection with your customers.
Where to Buy Fragrance Oils
Finding high-quality oils can be tricky, but House of Scent makes it easy! As a trusted supplier, we offer premium, undiluted fragrance oils that deliver exceptional scent throw and performance in candles, wax melts, soaps, and cosmetics.
Why Buy From House of Scent?
🌟 Premium Quality – Our oils are carefully formulated to be true-to-scent and long-lasting.
🔬 Undiluted & Strong – We never dilute our oils, ensuring you get maximum strength and value.
🛍 Wide Range of Scents – From timeless classics to the latest trending fragrances, we’ve got it all.
🚀 Same-Day Dispatch – Order before our cut-off time and get your oils shipped the same day!
💡 Industry Expertise – With years of experience in the fragrance industry, we know what makes a great oil.
Whether you're a small business, a passionate crafter, or a fragrance enthusiast, House of Scent has the perfect oil for you.
