How to Make Wax Melts (Strong Scent Throw)

Set out the empty clamshell molds in rows on a clean, level work surface. Steel benches or a kitchen counter both work. Have your fragrance oil bottle, dye chips, candle thermometer, sprinkles or pearls, and labels within reach.

Clamshells are the easy choice for first-time melt makers. They snap apart into individual cubes for the user and they accept printed labels cleanly without curling.

Heat the wax in a melter or double-boiler to 190°F. Once it's fully liquid, drop in wax dye chips and stir until the color dissolves completely. Combo wax like Pillar of Bliss takes color quickly - a few chips usually does it.

Don't shortcut with food coloring or crayons - they don't dissolve right and they can clog wax warmers when the melt fires up. Use chips or liquid dye specifically made for candles.

Drop a small amount of melted colored wax onto a piece of white paper and wait 20 seconds for it to set. The cooled spot is the actual color your finished melts will be - hot wax always looks darker than its cooled state.

Too light? Add more dye chips. Too dark? Stir in a little uncolored wax. Adjust now while the wax is still melted - once it's poured, the color is locked.

Let the wax drop to about 180°F before adding fragrance oil. Hotter than that and the fragrance flashes off into the air instead of bonding with the wax - that's the most common reason DIY melts smell weak.

Pour your fragrance oil in and stir for one full minute to fully bond the molecules with the wax. Then pour the wax level into each clamshell cube, just slightly overflowing the dividers.

Wait about five minutes after pouring for a thin skin to form on the surface. Then sprinkle on sugar sprinkles, decorative pearls, biodegradable glitter, or whatever decoration you want.

Adding decorations too early sinks them into the wax. Too late and they bounce off the hardened surface. The skin window is roughly 4 to 8 minutes after pouring.

Let the wax cool completely - usually two hours - before snapping the clamshell tops shut. Trapping any condensation inside the closed clamshell weakens the scent throw.

Once shut, peel off your printed labels and apply them to the front. Smooth out air bubbles with your finger as you press. The melts are now ready to gift, sell, or pop into a wax warmer.