21 March 2022

How to Make Wax Brittle

Learn how to make wax melt brittle with soy wax and essential oils.  These lemon lavender wax melts are easy to make without a special mold, and they have a light and fresh scent that's perfect for spring or summer.





DIY Wax Melt Brittle


I prefer to scent my home naturally because three of us have asthma.  Fragrance oils bother our breathing, but essential oils don't bother us.


These aromatherapy wax melts are easy to make without using a special mold.  You can use a pan that you already have.  


You can use your wax brittle in a tart burner or wax melter.  Since there's no open flame, you can add some dried lavender and lemon peel for a pretty presentation.


For more ways to scent your home naturally, check out these posts:






What is Wax Brittle?


Wax brittle is also called wax bark or wax melt brittle.  It's a layer of candle wax with fragrance oils or essential oils.  It can then be topped with dried herbs or flowers or spices.


Then break apart the wax bark melts to create bark or brittle like the candy.  Then you can use as much or as little as you want in your wax burner.


I like using wax bark melts because I can easily control the scent and mix and match scents if I want to.


How Do You Use Wax Bark?


You use wax bark melts just like you would a wax melt.  Place a large piece of wax brittle or two smaller pieces in your wax melter and turn it on.


How Do You Make Wax Brittle?


You'll need wax and either essential oils or fragrance oils to learn how to make wax brittle.  You simply melt the wax and add the scent.  Then stir well and pour into a pan.


You can also make aromatherapy wax melts the same way.  You will need a wax melt mold or pour directly into clamshell containers.


Are Essential Oils Safe in Wax Melts?


Yes, you can make essential oil soy wax melts.  Essential oils are flammable on their own, but they safe to use in aromatherapy wax melts.


However, you should use essential oils safely.  Some oils can not be diffused around pets, children, or pregnant women.  


Always look up safety information before using any essential oils.





How Do You Make Strong Scented Wax Melts?


By nature, natural essential oil wax melts don't have as strong of a throw as wax brittle made with fragrance oil.  This is just one of those things that is due to the natural of essential oils.


Wax will only hold so much fragrance, so you can't just add more scent to your essential oil melts.  If you add too much scent, the oils will seep out of the wax.


Different waxes also hold different amounts of oils and have varying scent throws.  Paraffin has a better throw, but I prefer to make essential oil soy wax melts.


Essential oils can burn off if you add them to hot wax.  Let the cool to about 125 degrees before adding the essential oils.  I use a laser thermometer to check the temperature.


What Wax is Needed for Wax Melts?


I like to make soy wax brittle because soy burners cleaner and helps support our farmers.  There's soy planted next to our property every other year, and I like supporting the farmers.


Here are some waxes that you can use and their pros and cons:


  • Paraffin wax has a strong scent throw, but it's a by product of petroleum processing.  It's generally recognized as safe to use, but it can cause soot.  It's less expensive than other waxes.
  • Soy wax is renewable and helps support farmers.  It's soft, so the soy wax brittle can be hard to remove from the burner.  You can add stearic acid to help the wax shrink when it cools so you can pop it out of the burner.  Vybar will increase the melting point and harden soy wax to make it easier to get out of the mold. 
  • Palm wax is natural and harder than soy wax.  However, I caution you to look for a wax that's been harvested responsibly.
  • Beeswax is a hard wax, but it doesn't hold scent very well.  I have combined soy wax and beeswax to harden the soy wax.  I don't recommend using all beeswax to make essential oil melts. 


Which Wax Holds the Most Scent?


Paraffin wax holds the most scent of any wax.  You can use paraffin wax to make this wax brittle recipe.


However, if you want natural essential oil wax melts, then use soy wax.


How Often Should You Change Wax Melts?


A typical wax melt will last about 8 to 10 hours.  However, these aromatherapy wax melts can be smaller than a cube from the store, so it might not last as long.


When you can't smell the scent anymore, it's time to add more wax bark.





Can You Put Dried Lavender in Wax Melts?


Yes, you can add dried lavender and other dried flowers or spices to wax melt brittle.  I don't like adding them to candles, but it's safe in wax bark melts because the flowers are not exposed to a flame.


Best Essential Oils for Natural Essential Oil Wax Melts


I used lemon essential oil and lavender essential oil to make my aromatherapy wax melts.  Lavender has a blending factor of 7 and lemon has a blending factor of 6.  I just eyeballed the oils when I weighed them and used slightly more lavender when I measured.


You can learn how to create blends with my essential oil blending factor worksheets.  You can then create a master blend and store it in an empty essential oil bottle.


For premade blends, I recommend the following:



You can also use one of these fun essential oil blends that smell like candy.





Aromatherapy Wax Melts Tips


Here are some tips for when you learn how to make wax brittle:


  • Essential oils can burn off if you add them to hot wax.  Let the wax cool to about 125 degrees Fahrenheit before adding the essential oils.
  • Add 3-6 tablespoons of stearic acid or 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon vybar per pound of soy wax to make the soy wax brittle easier to remove from the wax burner.
  • These lemon lavender wax melts should only be used in a wax melter.  Do not use this recipe in a candle with the dried lavender and lemon peel.
  • Don't use more essential oils than what is called for in the recipe.  The wax can only hold so much oil, and it can seep out and make your wax bark melts oily.
  • If you want to add color, use liquid candle colorant or mica.  
  • Line your pan with parchment paper.  If you skip this, the wax will be very difficult to remove from the pan.
  • This recipe makes a lot of essential oil melts.  You can halve the recipe if desired.
  • Do not heat soy wax in the microwave or over direct heat.  You must use a double boiler.


Soy Wax Brittle Ingredients


You will need the following to make a wax brittle recipe:








How to Make Wax Brittle


Step #1


Weigh the soy wax with a digital scale.  Place in a double boiler and melt over medium heat.  Stir the wax occasionally until it is melted.  If you are using stearic acid or vybar, add it to the soy wax.


Step #2


Carefully remove the melted wax from heat.  Let cool to 125 degrees Fahrenheit.  While it's cooling, line a cookie sheet or pan with parchment paper.  Be sure to line the sides as well.


Step #3


Weigh the essential oils and add to the wax.  Add coloring if desired.


Step #4


Carefully pour the wax into the pan and sprinkle dried lavender and lemon peel on top.  Let cool completely.





Step #5


Remove the parchment paper and wax.  Peel off the parchment paper.  Break the wax bark into small pieces.  


To use, add 1 large piece or 2 small pieces of soy wax brittle to your burner.  Let burn for several hours.  Add more wax or replace as needed.


Now you know how to make wax brittle!  I hope you enjoy this recipe.


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wax bark, wax brittle, soy wax, essential oils
Yield: 1 pound
Author: Cari @ Everything Pretty
Estimated cost: $10

How to Make Soy Wax Brittle With Essential Oils

prep time: 15 Mperform time: 1 hourtotal time: 1 H & 15 M
How to make natural wax brittle recipe with essential oils.

materials:

  • 1 pound soy wax
  • 3-6 tbsp stearic acid or 1/4 to 1/2 tsp vybar
  • 0.5 ounce to 1 ounce essential oils (I used lemon and lavender)
  • 1 tbsp dried lavender buds
  • 1 tbsp dried lemon peel

tools:

  • Double boiler
  • Laser thermometer
  • Digital scale
  • Parchment paper

steps:

  1. Weigh the soy wax with a digital scale. Place in a double boiler and melt over medium heat. Stir the wax occasionally until it is melted. If you are using stearic acid or vybar, add it to the soy wax.
  2. Carefully remove the melted wax from heat. Let cool to 125 degrees Fahrenheit. While it's cooling, line a cookie sheet or pan with parchment paper. Be sure to line the sides as well.
  3. Weigh the essential oils and add to the wax. Add coloring if desired.
  4. Carefully pour the wax into the pan and sprinkle dried lavender and lemon peel on top. Let cool completely.
  5. Remove the parchment paper and wax. Peel off the parchment paper. Break the wax bark into small pieces.
  6. To use, add 1 large piece or 2 small pieces of soy wax brittle to your burner. Let burn for several hours. Add more wax or replace as needed.
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