Make DIY Wax Melts To Save On Your Favorite Scents

These all natural DIY wax melts make your house smell terrific.

Iโ€™ve always been a bit paranoid when it comes to open flames in my house, as my nervous brain is quick to conjure up images of my entire house going up in flames. Thus I find flameless alternatives to candles quite appealing, including scented wax melts.

If youโ€™re not familiar with wax melts, they are little scented blocks of wax that you place in a special warmer to melt them down and release their scent. But rather than buying wax melts from a store, I challenged myself to come up with a DIY version that I could whip up at home.

I’m happy to report that I succeeded, and I’ll be showing you exactly how to make them in this post.

One thing that makes these homemade wax melts unique is that they’re made with a base of beeswax and coconut oil. Some store-bought varieties are made with a paraffin wax base, a petroleum-based wax that can emit toxic chemicals when burned.

Another thing that sets my homemade wax melts apart is that their fragrance comes from all-natural essential oils โ€” no artificial fragrances here! Plus, theyโ€™re easy to make and make your home smell wonderful!

How To Make Wax Melts

These homemade wax melts use just coconut oil, beeswax, and essential oils.

Youโ€™ll need:

To make wax melts, start by melting the coconut oil and beeswax in a double boiler or a bowl set over a pan of simmering water.

Directions:

Pour an inch or two of water into your saucepan, and bring it to a simmer on your stovetop. Add the beeswax (use the lesser amount if your warmer doesn’t generate a lot of heat) and coconut oil to your bowl or measuring cup, then place the bowl over the pan of simmering water.

When the beeswax and coconut oil have melted completely and are well combined, remove the container from heat.

Pour the melted beeswax and coconut oil in a heat-proof measuring cup, then add the essential oils for the fragrance you want for your DIY wax melts.

Add your essential oils of choice to the melted wax and oil mixture. You can use one, two, or even three oils combined to create your perfect scent. The number of drops may seem high, but you’re making multiple wax melts and you don’t want the scent to be too subtle!

Stir the essential oils into your wax melts mixture, then pour it into silicone molds.

Finally, stir the oils into the wax and oil mixture, then pour it into your silicone mold. Choose a mold with small cavities, around an inch in size, so you can fit your wax melts into smaller warmers if necessary.

Once the homemade wax melts have cooled and solidified, pop them out of the silicone mold.

Allow the mixture to solidify completely, then pop the wax melts out of the mold and store them in a jar or ziplock bag.

To use your wax melts, just place them in warmer and they will scent the air as they melt.

Using Your Wax Melts

Place your wax warmer in your desired room and turn it on. Place one or two wax melt pieces into the tray of the warmer, and enjoy the lovely all-natural scent!

You can use your homemade wax melts in any warmer.

Which Essential Oil Should I Use In My Wax Melts

Thereโ€™s really no wrong answer when it comes to choosing an oil or oils to use. You can choose based on where you plan to put wax warmer, or stick with the scent you like best. Here are some suggestions along with a few of their benefits:

Do you use wax melts at home?

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Jill Nystul Photo

Jill Nystul (aka Jillee)

Jill Nystul is an accomplished writer and author who founded the blog One Good Thing by Jillee in 2011. With over 30 years of experience in homemaking, she has become a trusted resource for contemporary homemakers by offering practical solutions to everyday household challenges.I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

About Jillee

Jill Nystul

Jill’s 30 years of homemaking experience, make her the trusted source for practical household solutions.

About Jillee

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42 Comments

  1. I would love to try this, but living in FL, I have ceiling fans on constantly, so no flames will stay lit…

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • The ones I have are electric plug-in, no flames. Perhaps try one of those?

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  2. How many ml’s are 100 drops? How many drops are in your 10 ml bottles?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Hi Jamie, I have put the entire bottle in the melts I have made. Still it does not stick to the wax. I have not used the coconut oil in them, so maybe that is why.
      KK

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  3. The molds Jillee used – you can find them at places like Walmart or craft stores. The molds are actually ice cube molds. Donโ€™t know if l would make my own melts. I would have to find a cheap oil to use. I definitely want to get another wax burner now that my Nieces and Nephews are old enough not to mess with it.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  4. Hi can I add the essential oil to the moulds first then add the wax mixture? As Iโ€™m finding the wax is cooling down fast once Iโ€™ve put the oils in and hardening up before Iโ€™ve finished pouring all the molds? Many thanks

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  5. Please tell us where you found the silicone mold for this project…. and others. I’ve looked EVERYWHERE!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  6. I tried these and also added pink dye. They melted in my hands and turned my fingers pink. I was curious if you think I used too much coconut oil and/or dye. Would less coconut oil be better?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  7. My question is… Are these safe for birds to smell? I have budgies and cockatiels which have very sensitive lungs.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • No, just to be safe I would not use these in the same room that your birds live in :-)

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  8. I have a block of beeswax, will that in this recipe? I was also wondering about the coconut, I live where its hot and coconut tends to stay in a liquid form, should I add more beeswax to keep the wax melts hard until I use them or will I have to put them in the frig like everything else that has coconut in it?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Yes, the block of beeswax will work, you just have to grate it first. :-) Keep the amounts the same for hotter weather, but store them in the fridge. If you add too much beeswax, they won’t melt.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
      • thank u

  9. About how many does this make? How long do they last once you start heating them? And for the big question does this save you money?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  10. Just made these wax melts with lemon, eculapytus , and grapefruit essential oils and OMG it smells sooo good!! Thank you for sharing! Love receiving your blogs!!!!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  11. Why is the use of bees wax necessary? Will the coconut oil not remain in a stable shape in storage?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Hi Elisa, No, coconut oil will melt very easily. Where I live it starts to liquefy when temperatures reach anywhere between 15 and 18 c unless refrigerated. Can’t leave it out at all in summer.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  12. Do you know how long the fragrance lasts in these melts?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  13. Do you know how long the fragrance last in these melts?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  14. I’m an EO newbie, but I thought you weren’t supposed to heat essential oils?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • That’s because when the oils are heated they loose a lot of their natural goodness but since these are only being used for the scent and not being applied topically all is well with heating :)

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
      • So will doing these not give the benefits the way diffusing them does? I don’t have a diffuser and was trying to do something that’ll give me the same benefits as using a diffuser

      • You won’t get the antibacterial quality of lemon oil after heating, but you will get the mood-lifting quality and fresh scent, just like you would with a diffuser!

      • Awesome! That’s what I wanted. Thank you! (:

  15. This is such a great idea! Thanks for sharing…I’m always looking for ways to make my own products instead of purchasing them at the store. Pinning and sharing this now!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  16. @Jillee using the mold you show, how many of these does it make. I know that is relative to the size of the mold you’re using, but a ball park figure is helpful. Nothing like making something with wax in it and having it setup on you before you can find a second suitable mold to use.
    Thanks!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  17. Print button is down next to the Pinterest and FaceBook buttons. It’s lime green and says; “Print Friendly”.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  18. Yay thanks so much Jillee for using my suggestion! I will definitely be trying this as soon as I can and I’ll be sure to let you know how it turned out!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  19. This question concerns ticks. What essential oil will make them leave? Thanks

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  20. If your want to burn a healthier candle you can use soy candles. They don’t leave the black ash behind like regular candles. They are more expensive than the regular candles. We did have a wax warmer, but it got broken a few years ago. One of my nieces accidentally broke it when she was a baby.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  21. Where did you get the cute mason burner? Very Cute. Thanks Belinda

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  22. If you add a candlewick can you use this same beewax-coconut oil mix to make candles?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  23. I love this! And I like your recipe better than another one i used which has too little beeswax and leaves a mess. I can’t wait to try your recipe. I do keep my little wax melts in the refrigerator though so they don’t melt–I live in AZ so it gets pretty hot.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  24. Hi, I have a big piece of beeswax, not pellets. How many grammes should I use ?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Chop up your beeswax and use a 2:1 mixture and you will be fine

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
      • I think you mean 1:2: one part beeswax to 2 parts coconut oil. (1/4 c beeswax pastilles, 1/2 c coconut oil)

        PS: Jillee: several comment on this and other blog articles: what happened to the “PRINT” button? I haven’t seen a response yet.

Leave a Comment

42 Comments

  1. I would love to try this, but living in FL, I have ceiling fans on constantly, so no flames will stay lit…

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • The ones I have are electric plug-in, no flames. Perhaps try one of those?

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  2. How many ml’s are 100 drops? How many drops are in your 10 ml bottles?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Hi Jamie, I have put the entire bottle in the melts I have made. Still it does not stick to the wax. I have not used the coconut oil in them, so maybe that is why.
      KK

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  3. The molds Jillee used – you can find them at places like Walmart or craft stores. The molds are actually ice cube molds. Donโ€™t know if l would make my own melts. I would have to find a cheap oil to use. I definitely want to get another wax burner now that my Nieces and Nephews are old enough not to mess with it.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  4. Hi can I add the essential oil to the moulds first then add the wax mixture? As Iโ€™m finding the wax is cooling down fast once Iโ€™ve put the oils in and hardening up before Iโ€™ve finished pouring all the molds? Many thanks

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  5. Please tell us where you found the silicone mold for this project…. and others. I’ve looked EVERYWHERE!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  6. I tried these and also added pink dye. They melted in my hands and turned my fingers pink. I was curious if you think I used too much coconut oil and/or dye. Would less coconut oil be better?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  7. My question is… Are these safe for birds to smell? I have budgies and cockatiels which have very sensitive lungs.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • No, just to be safe I would not use these in the same room that your birds live in :-)

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  8. I have a block of beeswax, will that in this recipe? I was also wondering about the coconut, I live where its hot and coconut tends to stay in a liquid form, should I add more beeswax to keep the wax melts hard until I use them or will I have to put them in the frig like everything else that has coconut in it?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Yes, the block of beeswax will work, you just have to grate it first. :-) Keep the amounts the same for hotter weather, but store them in the fridge. If you add too much beeswax, they won’t melt.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
      • thank u

  9. About how many does this make? How long do they last once you start heating them? And for the big question does this save you money?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  10. Just made these wax melts with lemon, eculapytus , and grapefruit essential oils and OMG it smells sooo good!! Thank you for sharing! Love receiving your blogs!!!!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  11. Why is the use of bees wax necessary? Will the coconut oil not remain in a stable shape in storage?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Hi Elisa, No, coconut oil will melt very easily. Where I live it starts to liquefy when temperatures reach anywhere between 15 and 18 c unless refrigerated. Can’t leave it out at all in summer.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  12. Do you know how long the fragrance lasts in these melts?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  13. Do you know how long the fragrance last in these melts?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  14. I’m an EO newbie, but I thought you weren’t supposed to heat essential oils?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • That’s because when the oils are heated they loose a lot of their natural goodness but since these are only being used for the scent and not being applied topically all is well with heating :)

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
      • So will doing these not give the benefits the way diffusing them does? I don’t have a diffuser and was trying to do something that’ll give me the same benefits as using a diffuser

      • You won’t get the antibacterial quality of lemon oil after heating, but you will get the mood-lifting quality and fresh scent, just like you would with a diffuser!

      • Awesome! That’s what I wanted. Thank you! (:

  15. This is such a great idea! Thanks for sharing…I’m always looking for ways to make my own products instead of purchasing them at the store. Pinning and sharing this now!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  16. @Jillee using the mold you show, how many of these does it make. I know that is relative to the size of the mold you’re using, but a ball park figure is helpful. Nothing like making something with wax in it and having it setup on you before you can find a second suitable mold to use.
    Thanks!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  17. Print button is down next to the Pinterest and FaceBook buttons. It’s lime green and says; “Print Friendly”.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  18. Yay thanks so much Jillee for using my suggestion! I will definitely be trying this as soon as I can and I’ll be sure to let you know how it turned out!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  19. This question concerns ticks. What essential oil will make them leave? Thanks

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  20. If your want to burn a healthier candle you can use soy candles. They don’t leave the black ash behind like regular candles. They are more expensive than the regular candles. We did have a wax warmer, but it got broken a few years ago. One of my nieces accidentally broke it when she was a baby.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  21. Where did you get the cute mason burner? Very Cute. Thanks Belinda

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  22. If you add a candlewick can you use this same beewax-coconut oil mix to make candles?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  23. I love this! And I like your recipe better than another one i used which has too little beeswax and leaves a mess. I can’t wait to try your recipe. I do keep my little wax melts in the refrigerator though so they don’t melt–I live in AZ so it gets pretty hot.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  24. Hi, I have a big piece of beeswax, not pellets. How many grammes should I use ?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Chop up your beeswax and use a 2:1 mixture and you will be fine

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
      • I think you mean 1:2: one part beeswax to 2 parts coconut oil. (1/4 c beeswax pastilles, 1/2 c coconut oil)

        PS: Jillee: several comment on this and other blog articles: what happened to the “PRINT” button? I haven’t seen a response yet.