Wax sachets are one of the prettiest home fragrance projects you can make. They are small bars of scented wax, often decorated with dried flowers or spices, that you hang in a closet, tuck in a drawer, or slip into a gift bag. There is no flame and no power involved; the wax simply releases its fragrance into the air around it for weeks.
They are also a favorite with craft fair shoppers, because they are affordable, giftable, and easy to add on at checkout.
This recipe makes about 6 sachets, depending on your mold.
You Will Need
- 8 oz soy wax, or a soy and beeswax blend for a firmer bar
- 0.8 oz fragrance oil (a 10% fragrance load)
- A silicone sachet or soap mold
- Dried flowers, herbs, or whole spices for decoration
- Ribbon or twine and a straw or skewer to make a hanging hole
- A pouring pitcher and a saucepan for a double boiler
- A thermometer and a kitchen scale
Instructions
1. Melt the wax.
Melt the wax in a double boiler to about 185°F, stirring occasionally. Never leave melting wax unattended.
2. Add the fragrance.
Remove the wax from the heat and stir in the fragrance oil slowly for a full 2 minutes.
3. Cool slightly and pour.
Let the wax cool to about 160°F, then pour it into your mold.
4. Decorate.
Wait a few minutes until a thin skin forms on top, then gently press your dried flowers, herbs, or spices into the surface. If you add them too early, they sink.
5. Make the hanging hole.
Before the wax fully sets, push a straw or skewer through the top of each sachet. Remove it once the wax is firm.
6. Set and cure.
Let the sachets set for several hours, then unmold them. Let them cure for a few days so the scent fully develops. Thread a ribbon through the hole and they are ready to hang.
Scent Ideas
- Apple Harvest: lightly spiced apple, decorated with cinnamon sticks and star anise.
- Soothing Lavender: a classic for linen closets, topped with dried lavender buds.
- Fresh & Clean: perfect for drawers and gym bags.
- Spiced Cinnamon Vanilla: a cozy holiday gift, decorated with whole cloves and orange peel.
- Fig & Oakmoss: fresh and woody for a man's closet or the car.
Tips for Better Sachets
- Refresh the scent by gently rubbing the surface of the sachet with your thumb, or warming it with a hair dryer for a few seconds.
- Keep them off fabric. Hang sachets or set them on a small dish, since fragrance oils can mark clothing and wood.
- Use a firmer wax such as a soy and beeswax blend if your sachets will be handled a lot or hung in a warm space.
From the eScential Team
Wax sachets fall in IFRA Category 12, the same group as candles, which names "fragrancing sachets" directly. A 10% load is within the Category 12 limit for every fragrance in this post. Here are the numbers from their certificates and spec sheets, with our current prices:
- Apple Harvest: candles and wax melts up to 26%; flash point 176°F; 0.5 oz sample $15.00, 2.2 lb $103.00 (about $2.93 per ounce).
- Soothing Lavender: candles and wax melts up to 100%; flash point 176°F; 0.5 oz sample $15.00, 2.2 lb $96.00 (about $2.73 per ounce).
- Fig & Oakmoss: candles and wax melts up to 100%; flash point 176°F; 0.5 oz sample $15.00, 2.2 lb $89.00 (about $2.53 per ounce).
- Fresh & Clean: candles and wax melts up to 100%; flash point 212°F; 0.5 oz sample $15.00, 2.2 lb $138.00 (about $3.92 per ounce).
- Spiced Cinnamon Vanilla: candles and wax melts up to 100%; flash point 212°F; 0.5 oz sample $15.00, 2.2 lb $90.00 (about $2.56 per ounce).
Apple Harvest is the one to watch if you reuse it elsewhere: it allows 26% in sachets and candles, but only 1.6% in soap and 0.2% in body products.
Real Question: Dried Lavender Sachets
A customer asked us through Ask Angus: "I have some lavender plants of my own and have harvested and dried them. I understand that I can enhance their scent by adding essential oil before making sachets. Can you tell me the best lavender oil to use for this?"
Our answer: you have three good choices. Lavender Oil P&N (1 oz $19.23) is our everyday lavender. Lavender Oil Natural 40/42 Type (1 oz $18.54) is standardized to a consistent ester content, so it smells the same from batch to batch, which helps if you make sachets to sell. Lavandin Grosso Oil P&N (1 oz $22.68) is a lavender hybrid with a stronger, more camphor-like scent that holds up well in dried buds. Add a few drops to the buds in a jar, close the lid, shake, and let them rest a day before filling your sachets. Keep scented buds away from fabric until the oil has soaked in, since essential oils can mark delicate fabric.
A Note on Safety
Wax sachets are decorative and are not meant to be burned. Use fragrance oils rated for air care and check the IFRA (International Fragrance Association) certificate on each product page for the right usage rate. Keep sachets out of reach of children and pets, away from heat and direct sunlight, and out of hot cars in summer, where they can melt. Dried botanicals should be fully dry to prevent mold. If you sell sachets, label them "Do not burn" and list the fragrance. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Make a Batch This Weekend
Wax sachets take an afternoon to make and bring weeks of fragrance to a closet or drawer. Pick a scent from our air care fragrances and start pouring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much fragrance oil do I use in wax sachets?
About 10% of the wax weight is a good starting point: 0.8 oz of fragrance oil for 8 oz of wax. Check the IFRA certificate for the product.
How long do wax sachets last?
Usually one to three months, depending on the fragrance and where you hang them. Rubbing the surface refreshes the scent.
Can I burn a wax sachet?
No. Sachets often contain dried botanicals and are not made to be burned.
What is the best wax for sachets?
Soy wax works well, and a soy and beeswax blend makes a firmer bar that holds its shape and decorations.
Why did my flowers sink into the wax?
The wax was still too hot. Wait until a thin skin forms on the surface before pressing in decorations.