We've noticed that around half the visitors to our market stall don't know what wax melts are - so if that's you, and you're curious - read on for an essential guide to wax warmers and wax melts, why they're so great for your home, and why ours are different from the others you might buy.
A wax melt is really just a candle without a wick - each one is made of a type of wax that's designed to be melted, infused with fragrance.
To use a wax melt you'll need a wax melter - these come in a variety of shapes and sizes, usually made of ceramic. At the bottom of the melter there's a place to put a tea light, and a dish on the top that holds the melt.
To use, simply light the tea light which will gently warm the dish; the heat will melt the wax which once melted releases fragrance into the room.
You can blow out the tea light once the wax has melted for a gentle fragrance, or leave it burning for a stronger scent, or to scent a larger space.
Once the tea light goes out the melt will start to cool and solidify. It will stay like that in the dish until you re-light the tea light and start all over again. Each melt will give fragrance for for several hours, and once the fragrance has started to fade you simply remove the wax and replace it with another melt (we make use of our old melts by putting them in a scrunched up newspaper for when we light an open fire).
Why is a wax warmer so great for your home?
Firstly they look great - College Green ceramic wax warmers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and each one has a distinctive design cut into the ceramic that glows with the light of the flame.
They're portable (unlike electric warmers which need to be placed near a plug socket) - and can be easily moved around the home and garden.
Each wax melt lasts for a long time - making them great value for money.
And wax warmers are far safer than traditional oil and water burners (where you add a few drops of fragranced oil to a dish of water) because there's no danger of the wax evaporating and leaving a sticky mess in the bottom of the dish).
What's different about a College Green wax melt?
We only use soy wax in our wax melts. Soy wax is a natural, plant based, clean burning wax that doesn't create soot or emit harmful toxins into the air like paraffin wax. The 'scent throw' (how well the wax to fill a room) is excellent too. We don't add colour to our wax, preferring the classic natural creamy colour of soy wax.
The fragrance oils we use are the highest quality blends that hold and release their scent exceptionally well. They're free from parabens and like soy wax are cruelty free and suitable for vegans.
And the added touch that makes a College Green wax melt really special is the dried botanicals we add to each melt, which float delicately in the warmed wax once it's melted. There's dried lavender in our lavender melts, calendula petals in our lemongrass & ginger melts, and a single pink rosebud in the rose melt.
How to buy a College Green wax warmer
College Green wax warmers make great presents - they're available as a gift set with everything you need to get started: a ceramic warmer, tea light and a selection of melts, all packaged in a classic grey re-usable box. Perfect for all occasions - Mother's Day, Valentines, birthday, anniversary, Christmas or house warming gifts, or a 'starter' set for yourself.
Our melts can be bought individually too, and lots of customers enjoy making a 'pick and mix' selection.
Of course, just like a candle, you need to exercise caution when using wax warmers: never leave them unattended, or within reach of children or pets. Keep them away from draughts and material such as curtains. And always extinguish them when you go to sleep - the wax will keep scenting the room long after the tea light has been blown out.