What Is Wax Frosting? How to Stop Wax Melt and Candle Frosting

Wax frosting, is the bane of all you candle lover's lives!

So, what actually is wax frosting?

Wax frosting is the buildup of a white crystalline layer on the surface of natural waxes, especially soy. It is a natural effect of soy candles and happens as the wax tries to regain it’s natural form.

All the candle & wax melt lovers out there understand the feeling of finding an old candle or wax tart in a draw that you’ve been missing… to find it's been covered in wax frosting!

Why does Wax Frosting happen?

Wax melt frosting occurs for several reasons. We are going to delve into it all and find out the root causes of wax frosting on your candles…

1. Temperature change.
Rapid temperature change can cause an upset to our candles, as they try to regain their natural form after rapid temperature change, wax frosting can occur as an effect!

2. Time.
Yep, time. Gradually over time, the wax in candles hardens during its life. This is a result of crystal structures inside that don’t stop forming. Unfortunately, you’ll see this buildup of crystals by seeing a white crystalline layer on the surface of the wax. So, the lesson from this… do not leave your wax candles and mini melts for too long! Use them and enjoy them before the dreaded wax frosting appears.

How to Stop Wax Frosting

Well, the good news is there are a few tricks you can do to prevent wax frosting from ruining the aesthetic of your candle!

1. Keep out of the draught.

When you think of the position of your soy candle, pay attention to it’s surroundings. For example, if there is a draught that the candle will be affected by, consider this by choosing where to place it! Today, we have learned that wax frosting can occur on candles that experience rapid temperature change. So when deciding where in your home the candle should live, make sure there isn’t a draught present as this could stimulate a buildup of wax frosting.

2. Pour wax at a lower temperature.

Pouring wax at a lower temperature means the wax increases it’s stickiness; therefore restricting the buildup of crystallisation and reducing the amount of crystals forming.

3. This may sound simple, but don’t keep candles for too long!

Make the most of them and use them when you want, otherwise, you may save a candle to find it later develops wax frosting, so save yourself the disappointment and use them when you want… no more waiting!

4. Another way of preventing that rapid temperature change is by cooling the wax melt at room temperature.

There is no need to rush it, just let it cool gradually at room temperature to try to prevent the temperature fluctuations.

5. Nice and simple, stir your wax less vigorously!

This means there will be less air getting into the wax which will help to slow down the buildup of wax frosting. So, when you stir your wax, slow and steady wins the race!

6. Don't overthink the Aesthetics

The more varieties of colour and darker shades you pour into the wax, it could be your downfall. Some colour dyes just don't play nice. So, it's probably a good idea to stick with the classics – keep it clear. Or if you're feeling adventurous, give those dyes a test run and make sure your formulas stay on point. Consistency is the key, after all!

7. Our final tip, cover it up!

So, we are all going to make a mistake and one of our candles will have the dreaded wax frosting. To make the most of your candle, use a candle holder that isn’t clear. This way, you can make the most of the candle, and no one will ever know about the wax frosting. Genius!

These are a few tricks for you to use, remember, do not panic when you see wax frosting. It’s natural and won’t affect the performance of your candle. But, try to use a few of our hints and tips to improve the life of your candles!

Tackling Stubborn Frosting: What to Do Now!

Use a Heat Gun: Gently apply a heat gun to the top and sides of your candle container. This can temporarily make the crystals disappear, although they may reappear in a different form later.

So, you've tried the heat gun trick, and those crystals on your clear candle jars aren't budging – frustrating, right? It's like frosting's playing hide-and-seek with you, and it's winning. But fear not, we've got another trick up our sleeves: label magic!

Okay, okay, I get it – it's not the miracle fix you were hoping for. But hey, sometimes you've got to admit that science has a sneaky way of doing its thing, and cured wax is a testament to that. It's like the wax is saying, "I do what I want!" 🕯️

But here's the deal: when it comes to wax frosting, prevention is your superhero cape. So, while you might have to make peace with a few crystals here and there, you'll be armed and ready to fight the good fight against future frosting.

FAQs

What Causes that Frosty Look?
Soy wax frosting appears as fine white crystals on the surface of your candle, resembling frost on a chilly windowpane. It's a natural occurrence caused by the crystallization of soy wax as it cools and hardens. These crystals may appear on the candle's top or along the sides of the container.

Which wax does not frost?
Paraffin wax is less prone to frosting compared to soy wax. It tends to exhibit fewer frosting issues.

What happens if you overheat soy wax?
Overheating soy wax can lead to various problems, including burnt wax, loss of fragrance, wax clumping, and potential safety hazards. Always melt soy wax at the recommended temperature (around 185°F) to avoid these issues.

How do you cure wax melts?
Curing wax melts involves letting them cool and harden for a specified period, typically 24-48 hours, depending on the recipe. This allows the fragrance to meld with the wax for optimal scent throw when melted.

What happens if wax is too cold?
If wax is too cold when poured, it may not adhere well to the container or have poor scent throw. It's crucial to pour wax at the right temperature to achieve the desired results.

Can you overheat paraffin wax?
Yes, you can overheat paraffin wax. Overheating can lead to discoloration, burning, and reduced fragrance performance. Stick to recommended melting temperatures for paraffin wax.

How cool should paraffin wax be before pouring?
Paraffin wax should be cooled to around 170-180°F before pouring to ensure it adheres well to containers and maintains fragrance performance.