Spring florals are changing. Fragrance writers say the new look is less like a bouquet and more like an open window. You can get that feel at home with scented wax melts. These are small pieces of scented wax that warm in a burner. They are an easy way to test a floral before you commit to a whole jar.

Scented wax melts and the new airy florals

Forbes reported in April that florals now lean green and light. Perfume makers are mixing flowers with cut grass, tea and pear. One expert in the piece said new scents smell more like fresh air than a bouquet. The article also quotes a 28 per cent rise in green and fresh fragrance sales.

That is a northern spring story, but it suits ours too. It is October here. Windows are open and the days are warming up. A heavy, powdery floral can feel like too much right now. A lighter one feels right.

How many wax melts should I use at once?

Start with one piece in your burner. Wait an hour, then step out of the room and back in. If you can barely smell it, add a second. Floral scents build fast, so go slowly with a new wax melt warmer.

Fragrance wax melts: where to put your warmer

Where you put the warmer matters more than most people think. Choose a shelf or sideboard, not the arm of the sofa. Scent travels best from a spot where a little air moves past.

Open a window for ten minutes first. Fresh air is the whole idea. Keep the warmer away from curtains. Never leave it where a child or a pet could knock it over.

• Hallway shelf: greets you as you walk in
• Bathroom bench: a small room needs a small piece
• Study desk: light, so it does not distract

Best wax melts for a light floral feel

Have a look at the Floral range if this sounds like your kind of scent. Sunlit Greenhouse and Sunflower Kisses are both Scent Plus wax melts in it. Read the notes on each page before you choose. Notes are the single smells that make up a fragrance. Pick the one that sounds like a window left open. All the wax melts sit together on one page if you want to compare.

Quick answers

Do wax melts work in a small room?

Yes. A small room needs less wax. One piece is often enough in a bathroom or study. More is not better, because too much scent in a tight space feels heavy instead of fresh.

How often should I change a wax melt?

Change it when you can no longer smell it. Let the wax cool, tip out the old piece and wipe the dish. Then add a fresh one. Always follow the directions on your pack.

If spring florals sound like you, begin with one small pack of melts. Live with it for a week. Then decide if a jar for the living room is worth adding.

Related reading

• Fresh Linen Melts: Where To Put Them For A Fresh Home: more on placing a warmer well.
• Wax Melts Are Becoming Australia's Favourite Mood Ritual: why melts are so popular right now.
• The Nicest Candles For An Australian Spring Room Refresh: ideas for lightening a room this season.