Candles Tips
Read these 7 Candles Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Candle tips and hundreds of other topics.
Getting Wax Off a Wood Coffee Table
When you blow a candle out and the candle's wax drips onto your wood coffee table, the best thing you can do is let the wax dry before doing anything. Once the it is dry, apply ice to to the wax, which will make it extremely hard and brittle. Then, you can simply scrape the wax off with a plastic spatula. Because you want the wood surface to stay nice, you should polish the table with a cream polish making sure the wax hasn't left any residue.
Spotting A Quality Candle
With so many different candles on the market today it can be hard to know if you're getting your money's worth in terms of quality. When burning a new type of candle there are a few things you should look for to ensure you're candle is of good quality.
A quality candle should come with instructions that tell you how long to burn your candle for. It's important to burn your candles for the minimum amount of time suggested as you want the top surface of the wax to liquefy either entirely, in the case of votives, or to the edges in the case of jars and pillar candles. This helps avoid a condition called “tunneling” in which the candle only melts down through the middle, leaving large portions of the edges unburned and wasted.
Also, check to see if your wicks are burning properly. Be sure to trim them before each use and periodically if they get too long during burning. If you notice excessive smoking or if they wicks are drowned by the wax pool it may be due to the wrong type of wick being used. Pay attention to burn time. While different types of candles will vary slightly but keep track of how much time you get from a new candle to ensure you're not wasting money on a candle that burns up too quickly.
Lastly, how does it smell? Some candles may have a strong scent when unlit but end up putting out very little fragrance when burning. A quality candle should put off enough scent throw to be noticed and enjoyed. Larger candles will tend to put more scent in the air but even a small votive should give off some scent when burned.
Decorating With The Floating Candle
If you're looking for a unique way to decorate with candles or an out of the ordinary centerpiece for a table try using the floating candle.
Brighten any room instantly by placing a floating candle grouping in a bowl full of water. Try adding small, floral shaped floating candles in a variety of colors for a garden bouquet effect or one large flower floating candle surrounded by a few miniature ones in a different, but complimentary, color.
This type of floating candle arrangement would be a stunning alternative to the traditional dinner candles during a romantic meal. Look for heart shaped floating candles for that extra romantic touch.
For an indoor party, a floating candle grouping in the bathtub will certainly impress your guests as they visit your powder room. Fill your tub with lukewarm water and place a few lit floating candles in the water. Having the party outside? Place bowls of floating candle arrangements on patio tables, in secure basket hangers and hang them around your patio or in your swimming pool if you have one. Just remember to keep lit candles away from all things flammable. Then get ready for the compliments from your guests.
Candle Wedding Favors
It can be difficult to decide on what type of wedding favor to give as a thank-you to all those friends and family that attend your wedding. The candle wedding favor is an inexpensive gift and is sure to please everyone.
There are a large variety of candle wedding favor types to suit any couple's tastes. For those who love elegance try a wedding cake shaped candle wedding favor. For those with simpler tastes a small, decorated jar candle or boxed votive candle makes a great gift. The best part of candles as wedding favors is that, in most cases, they can be customized to include the label of your choice, your favorite scent, and a beautiful message from you to your beloved guests.
Extras, such as lace or tulle, can also be added for that extra special touch, but if you're on a budget there are options to save you money. Try looking for sales or asking if discounts are given on bulk orders. If you'd still love to have your candles dressed up try having the company create a beautiful message but do your own decorating with ribbon and tulle yourself.
Keep It Natural With A Soy Candle
Soy wax burns at a much lower temperature than traditional paraffin candles. Because of the lower burning temperature, soy candles offer candle lovers a safer alternative to paraffin. Paraffin is derived from petroleum byproducts -- or the residue from oil after it is processed for use as automobile fluid.
Soy is far more environmentally friendly, and it will not produce soot or leave soot residue on the walls of your house. Soy candles maintain their fragrance longer and are less likely to emit irritants for people with asthma, allergies or chemical sensitivities.
After discovering soy candles as an alternative to paraffin, many candle lovers decide to try their hand at making their own candles as a fun, family friendly crafting hobby or to produce gifts to give to family members and friends. People who buy or make soy candles rather than buying paraffin-based candles are doing their part to improve the environment.
Because the soybeans from which the wax is produced are grown in America, the purchase of soy candles helps farmers and local businesses. Anyone who purchases soy candles rather than traditional paraffin candles is not just investing in the American economy; they are helping small American farmers who may not grow enough soybeans to sell to animal feed manufacturers or soybean oil producers.
People who buy soy candles rather than paraffin candles are making an effort to be more eco-conscious and environmentally responsible.
Choosing A Candle Making Supply Store
So you've decided to make your own candles. Before you melt any wax or decide on scent you'll need to pick your candle making supply store.
If at all possible, try to shop around before purchasing from a supply store to ensure you get the best prices on your supplies. If you plan on shopping locally there may only be one or perhaps two stores to choose from but you will save shipping costs. Just be sure to do a quick check online to make sure that any shipping costs you're saving isn't being eaten up by higher prices.
If you plan to purchase from a candle making supply store on the Internet you'll have many to choose from. Try joining a candle making group before hand and get recommendations on suppliers from other candle makers. When you choose a candle making supply store look to see if they have a beginner's kit available. These kits usually cost less than buying all the items you'll need separately and will ensure you don't forget to purchase anything that you'll need for your first batch of candles. Also, be sure to take advantage of any extras that they offer such as a newsletter to keep informed on new products and sales and any instructions that may be posted on the website to help you avoid pitfalls or troubleshoot a bad batch of candles. Whether you purchase from a local store or off the Internet, be sure to find a message board that caters to candle makers. Here you will find lots of useful information and be able to seek help and advice instantly.
Sampler Candles Make Perfect Gifts
If you have a candle lover on your gift giving list, a package of sampler candles is the perfect present. You don't have to worry about getting the right size or right color and candles go with any décor.
When buying sampler candles for someone else take note of any scent favorites they may already have in their home. Including a few tried and true favorites, along with some new scents they may not have experienced before, is a great way to give them what they love and let them try out potential new favorites.
When choosing new fragrances for a gift try and stick within the same “scent family”. If the person you're buying for tends to prefer floral scents try a sampling that includes popular scents such as Lavender, Plumeria, Sunflower or Rose. Those that love spice scents would appreciate sampler candles that included Cinnamon, Cranberry, Bayberry, Coffee or a Spiced Pumpkin or Pear. If you're not sure which scents your recipient is fond of stick with neutral scents such as Clean Cotton, French Vanilla, or an Ocean type fragrance.
