I love burning candles and have them all around the house. Long ones, short ones, fat ones, thin ones, in a plethora of colours. I burn them in the evening when I'm relaxing; I burn them at mealtimes; and I burn them in the bathroom when I'm pampering myself. Any excuse to light a candle really.
But candles don't always fit the holder, and sometimes they burn down too far and the wax gets stuck! It's at times like this that candles aren't quite as much fun!
Here are some candle burning tips I've picked up through the years:
1. Cold candles will burn more slowly. Wrap them in foil or cling-film to prevent the wicks from absorbing moisture then pop them in the fridge for an hour.
2. When burning pillar candles, let them burn long enough each time to create a pool of wax that almost covers the diameter of the candle. This will ensure that the candle burns evenly each time you light it. If it doesn't create a large enough pool you'll end up with a tunnel through the candle and eventually it will either melt through one side or you'll simply not be able to get down far enough to light it. And even if you did, it would give off very little light.
3. Never stand a lit candle in a wind draught as they'll create a larger, more irregular flame and your candle will burn unevenly.
4. Never expose candles to sunlight or indoor spotlights. They will fade the colour and if left for too long, the candles will bend.
5. If your candle is too narrow to fit snugly into the holder, wrap cooking foil or tissue paper around the bottom of the candle to make the base thicker. Don't worry, the tissue paper won't burn even if you do allow the candle to burn right down into the holder as the melted wax will soak the paper. Having said that, it's never a good idea to allow candles to burn right down; they should be extinguished when they're about 2 inches over the holder.
6. If you've allowed the candle to burn right down and the wax is stuck in the holder, put the holder into the freezer for a couple of hours and the wax should be considerably easier to dig out.
7. If you like votive candles, try buying the type that have metal cases as these are easier to remove from holders after use. If you only have the uncovered type, pour some water into the holder before lighting the candle. Once extinguished and the wax hardened, it should be easier to pop it out of the container.
8. Spilled wax should always be allowed to solidify before being removed. Once hard, cover the area with brown paper and gently press with a warm iron. The wax will be absorbed into the paper.
9. Extinguish candles by pushing the wick into the liquid wax (don't use your fingers ? a used matchstick is a good tool for this). Leave it for about a minute then re-center the wick. Using this technique both eliminates smoking from the extinguished wick and covers the wick with a layer of wax making re-lighting easier.
About The Author
Sharon grew up in East London but moved to Norway at the age of 19, returning to England in 1998. She now lives in Cheshire with her partner and two of her three children. Besides writing, she is currently studying Social Science with The Open University, runs a web site where women in the UK can meet other women for platonic friendship (www.friendsyourway.co.uk), potters in her garden, knits and reads everything she comes over.
s.jacobsen@friendsyourway.co.uk
I love the decorative look of a ceiling fan as... Read More
Down, feathers, goose down, duck down, these can all be... Read More
California has always been a fertile spot for fresh ideas,... Read More
There is nothing like wood furniture to add elegance and... Read More
Seasoning a Cigar HumidorTo keep the things we cherish in... Read More
Upholstered armchairs and sofas are comfortable and attractive additions to... Read More
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art used in the... Read More
FIVE EASY STEPS TO DECORATING ETHNICNEW YORK, NY - With... Read More
Here in the Northeast, summer is almost here. With hot... Read More
Would your child's room benefit from some fresh design ideas... Read More
The art and craftsmanship of the original designs are evident... Read More
Fitting new couch slipcovers is a great way to instantly... Read More
The basic bathroom vanity includes a mirror or medicine cabinet... Read More
The beauty and warmth of granite makes it an ideal... Read More
The world of antiques can be confusing. What's the difference... Read More
You can add some splash to your kitchen without spending... Read More
The easiest and most inexpensive way to invigorate the design... Read More
When decorating your bathroom, it is important to choose practical... Read More
Vintage hankies can make interesting wall décor! These treasures of... Read More
When the frigid winds of winter arrive, many people turn... Read More
One of the most beautiful, versatile and efficient accessories that... Read More
What is the lure and appeal of country home decorating?... Read More
Do your walls seem dull and uninviting? Do you long... Read More
Futon slip covers do two things. Number one and most... Read More
Want to relive the excitement of California's gold rush of... Read More
Want your front door to really "sing?" Then paint it... Read More
Psychology of colors ? the bedroomColor can have an astounding... Read More
Decorating can be a big challenge in today's world. There... Read More
Conservatories are such lovely and serene rooms that homeowners want... Read More
I love burning candles and have them all around the... Read More
Picnic baskets for two provide an intimate way to celebrate... Read More
Probably not on its own, but its an excellent example... Read More
Down comforters are one of the more popular ways of... Read More
Mounting health costs and cuts to government funding are making... Read More
Several materials are used to make waterbed sheets. Waterbed owners... Read More
Some people have a natural artistic ability when it comes... Read More
1. Utilize the "use what you have" theory! Go through... Read More
How to Decorate your Space with Wall Pictures If a... Read More
Timeless and elegant, classic and stately-grandfather clocks are all of... Read More
There's good news about hardwood floors. Because of advanced construction... Read More
When redecorating a room, don't forget about your lighting. While... Read More
Furniture benches are benches that can be used indoors and... Read More
Have you been in a craft store or maybe gone... Read More
In order to help give a room a classier touch,... Read More
Candlestick, lamp and fixtures for electricity must accord with the... Read More
One of the easiest ways to leave a lasting, warm... Read More
Deciding on just a few candles is rarely easy. With... Read More
If you like clean, simple, oak furnishings, you're likely an... Read More
Window and door blinds on windows and doors are chief... Read More
The importance of following feng shui decorating guidelines.Feng shui decorating... Read More
Do you know that your bedroom is responsible for who... Read More
Candle making can be a fun creative hobby. It can... Read More
The bathroom may be the hardest room to decorate. Its... Read More
There are several world renowned wood stove manufacturers that make... Read More
Who wouldn't want a goose down comforter and a pretty... Read More
Aluminum blinds are a low-cost and durable solution as a... Read More
Art should be personal. Selecting pieces that you really love... Read More
Open Windows ? Curtains fluttering from a warm breeze ?... Read More
Hawaii is a first choice travel destination with millions of... Read More
Granite is not only the hardest material available for countertops;... Read More
This article provides a detailed review of popular adjustable beds... Read More
From their inception, fresh fruit baskets were exactly that ?... Read More
All of us want our homes to be places of... Read More
Many people enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or... Read More
If your bathroom is looking a bit tired, but you... Read More
Picnic baskets for two provide an intimate way to celebrate... Read More
Interior Design & Decorating |