If your wax melt or sizzlers have stopped giving off fragrance, don’t worry it’s one of the most common questions we get in home fragrance. The short answer is that the fragrance oils have burned off, leaving unscented wax or crystals behind in the dish. Wax itself doesnt evaporate, it just sits in the dish once the oils are used up and the same for scented sizzlers.
5 Common Reasons Your Wax Melt Loses Its Scent
1. The fragrance oils are used up
The number one reason is simple, the oils have evaporated. The wax may look the same, but once the scent has gone, it’s time to replace it.
2. Scent fatigue (nose-blindness)
If you’ve been in the room for hours or around home fragrance scents a lot, your nose can stop noticing your fragrances. Step outside for a few minutes and you may notice the scent again when you walk back in. We also recommend sniffing coffee as this can help to reset your nose.
3. Burner is too hot
Using 8-hour tealights or higher-powered electric burners can burn through fragrance oils very quickly. Stick with 4-hour tealights or low-wattage electric warmers to make the scent last longer.
4. Poor air circulation or drafts
If your warmer is hidden in a corner, the fragrance may not carry throughout your room properly. On the other hand, if it’s too close to a window or door, a draft can pull the scent straight out of the room before you’ve had chance to enjoy it. Place your burner in a central spot as you can for the best scent throw.
5. Old or poorly stored melts
Fragrance fades over time if wax melts and sizzlers are left in the sun or not sealed in their packet properly. Keep them stored in a cool, dry, airtight container.
It is normal for wax melts and sizzlers to lose their scent as the fragrance evaporates which is when you know it is time to replace them.
How to Make Your Wax Melts or Sizzlers Last Longer
- Use only one cube or one scoop at a time, dont heap the burner
- Stick to 4-hour tealights to avoid overheating (8 hour tea lights pose wax burner fire risk)
- Rotate scents often to avoid nose-blindness
- Store melts and sizzlers in a cool, airtight container
- Place your burner in a central spot away from windows and drafts
Why Many People Choose Sizzlers Over Wax Melts
Unlike wax melts, sizzlers (scented simmering granules) don’t leave behind leftover wax. Once the fragrance is gone, you can tip them away and refill with fresh sizzlers immediately – no messy cleanup, no scraping out old wax. They’re quick, safe, and perfect when you want instant fragrance without the fuss.
Quick Tip
If you can’t smell your wax melt or sizzlers anymore, don’t keep heating them. Once the fragrance is gone, replace with a fresh cube or scoop for the strongest scent throw.
FAQs
Do wax melts lose scent if unused?
Yes, fragrance can fade if they’re left in warm or sunny conditions.
Why do my melts smell strong at first then fade fast?
Your warmer may be too hot, which burns through oils quickly.
Are sizzlers better than wax melts?
Both are popular. Wax melts give a strong initial throw, while sizzlers are easier to refresh and simply tip away and refill with new granules, no waxy mess to deal with.
Looking for a stronger, longer-lasting scent? Smelty’s highly fragranced sizzlers are designed for maximum scent throw without the mess. Explore the best-sellers here.
