Are Wax Melts Safe? Everything You Need to Know

Wax melts are a hugely popular way to fragrance a home, but like any product involving heat, it's worth knowing how to use them safely. Here's a straightforward guide to using wax melts with confidence.

Electric or Tealight - Which Is Safer?

Both are safe when used correctly, but they carry slightly different considerations:

• Electric burners have no naked flame at all, making them a popular choice around children and pets, and safe to leave on for longer periods since there's no flame to burn out or knock over.
• Tealight burners use a small candle flame beneath the dish, so the same basic candle safety rules apply - never leave one unattended, and always use on a stable, heat-safe surface.

General Safety Tips

• Always place your burner on a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface, away from curtains, paper or anything flammable.
• Never leave a lit tealight burner unattended, especially around children or pets.
• Keep burners out of reach of young children and pets - the dish and melted wax can become hot enough to cause burns.
• Allow the wax to cool and fully harden before touching, removing, or cleaning the dish.
• Use your burner in a well-ventilated room, particularly if you're using several scents throughout the day.
• Never add water to melted wax, and never move a burner while the wax inside is still liquid.

What About the Ingredients?

Every wax melt containing fragrance oil is legally required to carry a CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) label, which lists any allergens present and gives safety guidance specific to that product. We take this seriously - all of our Snap Bars are made using vegan-friendly soy wax and properly labelled in line with UK and EU regulations. You can read more about what CLP labels mean and why they matter in our dedicated guide to CLP labelling.

Are Wax Melts Safe for Pets?

Wax melts themselves are generally considered a safer option than burning candles or incense around pets, since there's no smoke and, with an electric burner, no open flame. That said, some fragrance oils can be more noticeable to a pet's sensitive nose than ours, so it's always sensible to burn in a well-ventilated room and give your pet the option to move to another room if they seem bothered by a particular scent.

The Bottom Line

Used sensibly, wax melts are a safe and enjoyable way to fill your home with fragrance. Choose the right burner for your household, follow a few simple precautions, and you can enjoy your favourite scents with complete peace of mind.

Explore our full range of wax melt Snap Bars and wax burners to get started.