Wax warmers are a fantastic way to fill your space with amazing aromas, but did you know that over time, a buildup of residue can not only damage or decrease the lifespan of your warmer but it can also affect your warmer’s performance and even your wax’s scent throw abilities?
Regular cleaning is absolutely essential to keeping your wax melter working efficiently, to extend the warmer’s life, to prevent scent mixing/contamination from old wax and to of course get the most out of your wax melts. In part I of this series, we’ll walk you through the dos and don’ts of cleaning your warmer as well as the best methods to keep your warmer in tip top shape! Let's get right to it...
What NOT to Do When Cleaning Your Wax Melter
To start, let’s go over what you absolutely should never do when it comes to cleaning your warmer:
🚫 Never Pour Wax Down the Drain – Wax hardens as it cools and can clog your pipes, leading to expensive plumbing issues. Always dispose of wax in the trash.
🚫 Avoid Using Sharp Objects to Scrape Wax – Metal tools or knives can scratch the dish and damage the surface, making future cleanup harder. Stick to gentle removal methods like the freezer or warm & pour method.
🚫 Don't Use Harsh Chemicals – Bleach, ammonia, or any abrasive cleaners can damage your wax melter’s surface and can even leave behind chemical residues that not only interferes with fragrance performance but can even create and release toxic gases when you turn your warmer on and the residue from the chemical cleaners heat up and burn off.
🚫 Never Submerge an Electric Wax Melter in Water – Water and electricity don’t mix! If your wax melter has any electronic components, never submerge it into water. Instead, wipe that part clean with a damp cloth.
🚫 Don’t Overheat the Wax to Clean It Faster – Some people crank up their melter to quickly liquefy old wax, but excessive heat can cause burns, damage your melter, or even create a fire hazard. Warm it gently instead.
Best Methods to Remove Wax From Your Melter
Your warmer consists of 2 parts: the warming dish where you place the wax melt into and the main unit which is where the heating element will be. We will be cleaning each part separately.
How to Clean the Warming Dish
Let's begin by going over a few of the most common methods you can use to keep your warming dish sparkling clean.
1. The Cotton Ball Method (Quick & Easy)
Best for: Routine cleaning when switching scents.
- Turn off your wax melter and allow the wax to cool slightly but remain in liquid form.
- Place a few cotton balls into the melted wax and let them soak up the wax.
- Once the wax is absorbed, discard the cotton balls and wipe the dish with a paper towel.
- If any residue remains, use a damp cloth to wipe it away, or more preferably, turn your warmer on and let the dish get slightly warm and wipe the residue away using a paper towel.
2. The Freezer Method (No Mess, No Fuss)
Best for: Removing hardened wax easily
- Allow the wax to fully cool and solidify and the warming dish to be at room temperature.
- Place the wax dish in the freezer for about 10–15 minutes.
- Once the wax has shrunk from the cold, gently pop it out with your fingers or a spoon.
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Wipe the dish clean with a paper towel to remove any residue.
3. The Warm & Pour Method (Great for Heavy Buildup)
Best for: Cleaning wax residue from the dish
- Turn on the melter for a few minutes to slightly warm the wax.
- Carefully pour the melted wax into a disposable heat-safe container or old jar.
- Use a paper towel to wipe away any remaining wax.
- For stubborn residue, use a bit of rubbing alcohol or warm, soapy water.
4. The Dish Soap Method (Deep Cleaning)
Best for: Removing old fragrance oils and wax stains
- Remove the wax dish (if detachable) and wash it with warm, soapy water.
- Use a soft sponge or cloth to scrub any residue gently.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry before reusing.
- If your dish is non-removable, wipe it clean with a damp, soapy cloth and avoid submerging it in water.
5. The Liner Method (Mess-Free & Convenient)
Best for: Preventing wax buildup and making cleanup effortless. Personally, this is one of our favorite methods to use!
- Use a heat-safe silicone wax melt liner in your wax dish before adding your wax melts.
- To dispose of the wax, simply let it cool and solidify completely and just pop it right out of the liner and toss it into the bin!
- If needed, you can wipe the liner with a paper towel or rinse it with warm, soapy water and then dry it off with a paper towel to remove any leftover residue, and best of all these liners are reusable so once it’s cleaned you can reuse it for your next melt!
How To Clean The Main Unit
Once the old, unscented wax is removed and discarded, and your warming dish is cleaned, we can now clean the main unit. To do this you'll need the following:
- A soft, dry microfiber cloth
- Mild dish soap (optional)
- A slightly damp cloth
- Cotton swabs or a soft-bristled brush
- Rubbing alcohol (for stubborn wax residue)
- A can of compressed air (optional)
Follow these steps to thoroughly clean your melter's main unit:
1. Unplug and Cool Down the Wax Warmer: Before cleaning, always unplug the unit and allow it to cool completely. This ensures safety and prevents damage to the internal components.
2. Remove Any Heavy Wax Residue: If wax has dripped onto the base, gently scrape it off with a plastic scraper or an old credit card. For stubborn spots, dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol and rub the affected area in circular motions until the residue lifts.
3. Wipe Down the Exterior: Using a soft, dry microfiber cloth, wipe down the exterior of the wax warmer to remove dust, fingerprints and trace amounts of wax and fragrance oil that may have spilled. If necessary, lightly dampen the cloth with water and a drop of mild dish soap, then wipe away any buildup. Avoid getting moisture into any electrical components.
4. Clean the Air Vents (If Applicable): Some wax warmers have small ventilation holes or grilles to help with heat dissipation. Use a can of compressed air or a soft-bristled brush to remove dust and debris from these areas.
5. Wipe Down the Power Cord: Dust and residue can also accumulate on the power cord. Wipe down the length of the cord first with a damp microfiber cloth and then again with a dry cloth to prevent buildup that could pose a fire hazard.
6. Dry Thoroughly: Ensure all cleaned surfaces are completely dry before plugging the unit back in. Any moisture left on the unit could lead to electrical damage.
7. Reassemble and Enjoy: Once the main unit is clean and dry, place the clean and dry warming dish back on top and start enjoying your favorite wax melts again!
Follow These Steps to Keep Your Wax Warmer Clean
In summary, follow these tips to get the most out of your warmer and melts:
- Regular Cleaning: Once all the fragrance in your wax melt is used up, discard the old unscented wax and wipe out your wax melter to prevent buildup.
- Avoid Overfilling: Using too much wax can lead to spills and difficult cleanup and it can also affect your melt's scent throw performance. Only use enough wax to create a 1/4" to 1/2" deep melt pool.
- Use High-Quality Wax Melts (like ours!): Cheap wax melts may leave behind excessive residue.
- Don’t Mix Scents: Always clean your melter between different fragrances to avoid unwanted scent blending.
- Deep Clean Monthly: Perform a full cleaning on your warmer once a month to maintain optimal performance.
By following these simple maintenance tips, you’ll keep your wax melter in top condition, ensuring a better scent experience, your safety, and a longer lifespan for your favorite home fragrance device as well as your melts! We hope these tips were helpful to you and that you're able to effectively and efficiently keep your warmer clean so that you can continue to enjoy countless hours of aromatic bliss ✨
- Kitty.
