How to clean a wax melt burner (the easy way)

A clean burner means brighter fragrance throw with each new scent and a longer-lasting piece overall. The good news: you almost never need to scrub.

Here is the easy way to clean your wax melt burner or electric warmer.

When to clean

When you want to switch scents and the old wax has lost its fragrance, time to swap. You will know the scent has run out because the room stops smelling like anything when the wax is warm.

Other times to clean:

• You want to deep-clean the ceramic itself
• The wax has accidentally overflowed
• You are putting the burner away for a while

Method 1: warm and pour (the easiest)

1. While the wax is still warm and fully liquid, switch off the heat source (snuff the tealight or switch off the warmer).
2. Wait about 1 to 2 minutes. Just enough for the dish to be cool enough to touch, but the wax inside is still liquid.
3. Tip the wax out into your bin or onto a piece of paper towel. The dish should be almost empty.
4. Wipe the residue with a soft, dry paper towel or cloth.
5. Done. Ready for the next scent.

This is our preferred method. Quick, no mess, no scraping.

Method 2: the cold pop (for stubborn or solid wax)

If the wax has fully cooled and hardened in the dish, do this instead:

1. Place the burner in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Take it out and gently flex the dish. The hardened wax disc should pop out in one piece.
3. Wipe any residue with a soft cloth.

Works on ceramic dishes. For removable electric warmer dishes, this is often the easiest method.

Method 3: the paper towel trick

If the wax is liquid but you cannot pour it cleanly:

1. Switch off the heat.
2. While the wax is still warm and runny, fold a paper towel and gently press it into the dish to absorb the wax.
3. Lift away. Discard the wax-soaked towel.
4. Wipe any remaining film with a fresh, dry cloth.

For electric warmers specifically

Most of our electric warmers have a removable top dish. Pop the dish out before cleaning, it makes any method easier. Never immerse the electric base in water. Wipe the base with a soft, dry cloth only.

For ceramic burners specifically

Our ceramic burners are wipe-clean. Don't scrub the glaze with abrasive sponges or harsh chemicals. A soft cloth and the methods above are all you need.

If you want to wash the ceramic, let it cool fully first, then hand-wash with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly before next use. Avoid the dishwasher (the glaze can suffer).

What not to do

• Don't scrape with a knife. You can damage the glaze.
• Don't pour boiling water on hot ceramic. Thermal shock can crack it.
• Don't put electric warmer bases in water. The heating element should never get wet.
• Don't use the same dish for incompatible scents without cleaning between (switching from a heavy floral to a fresh citrus without cleaning will mute the new scent).

The lazy person's tip

If you change scents often, keep a couple of spare top dishes around. Some of our electric warmers have replaceable dishes, so you can have one cooling while the other warms a new scent.

Want to browse all the gear? See our full burners and warmers lineup, or check our beginner's guide for the basics.