Do Wax Melts Evaporate? Candle Melts
Let's get real about home fragrance and the science behind those heavenly scents.
We've got two contenders in this corner:
The classic scented candle and the trendy wax melt.
Each one has its own unique way of filling your space with delightful scent, but what's actually happening on a molecular level?
Let's break it down.
Candles: A Fiery Affair
Candles, the old-school charmers of the fragrance world, rely on a fiery affair called combustion.
When you light the wick, the flame melts the wax, turning it from a solid into a liquid.
The Combustion Process
This liquid wax is then drawn up the wick, where it's vaporised by the heat.
These vaporised wax molecules then mingle with oxygen in the air, creating a beautiful dance of light, heat, and fragrance.
The downside? This combustion process gradually consumes the wax, leaving you with an empty jar and a fading memory of the scent.
Wax Melts: A Gentle Embrace
Wax melts, on the other hand, are the cool, collected cousins of candles, opting for a gentler approach.
No flames here, just a warm embrace that slowly melts the wax.
As the wax melts, the fragrance molecules it holds captive are set free, wafting into the air and tickling your nose with their delightful aromas.
The Melting Process
The key difference? The wax itself doesn't disappear. It simply changes from a solid to a liquid and back again as it cools, so you can enjoy the same wax melt multiple times until the fragrance eventually fades.
The Science Bit: What Happens to the Wax?
The difference between candles and wax melts lies in the fate of the wax itself.
In candles, the wax is a fuel for the flame, undergoing a chemical reaction (combustion) that transforms it into other substances, including those lovely fragrance molecules.
In wax melts, there's no combustion, so the wax remains largely unchanged. It's like a magic trick where the fragrance disappears into thin air, leaving the wax behind to perform its aromatic act again and again.
Candles vs. Wax Melts: Which One Wins?
It's a matter of personal preference and how you want to experience fragrance in your space.
| Candles | Candles offer a multi-sensory experience with their flickering flame and gradual release of scent |
| Wax Melts | Wax melts provide a more subtle, consistent fragrance without the need for an open flame. |
Ultimately, the choice is yours! If you prefer longer-lasting, highly scented home fragrance without the flame, check out our collection of luxury wax melts.
