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Home >> Lifestyle: Candle
Making:
7
Tips for Burning the Perfect Candle
by Chere Deshayes
Tapers, columns, votives, containers,
pillars and novelty - chances are you have at least one of these
types of candles in your home. Surveys done by candle manufacturers
suggest that 7 out of 10 U.S households use candles, 96% of which
are purchased by women. The basics for candles are easy, just
light them! However, if you want to get the most out of your
candles and not watch your money go up in smoke (literally),
here are seven tips to follow.
1. KEEP THE WICK TRIMMED
One of the best things that
you can do for your candles is to keep the wick trimmed to ¼
of an inch. Wicks that are allowed to get larger than ¼
of an inch tend to burn faster and smoke. If you are noticing
black soot accumulating on your container candles, the wick is
too long. Nail clippers are a great tool for trimming wicks that
can’t be reached with scissors.
2. AVOID DRAFTS
Burning candles in drafty areas
can cause uneven burning and excessive smoking. Not to mention
that your candle will burn faster. If you notice the flame of
the candle flickering in any direction other than straight up,
there is a draft. Prevent drafts by keeping burning candles away
from heating and air-conditioning vents and open windows.
3. REFRIGERATE THEM
Candles that are cold will
burn slower. To cool you candle, first wrap in foil or cling
wrap to prevent the wick from absorbing any moisture. Pop them
in the fridge for about an hour and light! Make sure you don’t
put them in the freezer instead. They will break!
4. BURN THEM LONG ENOUGH
Have you ever seen a three-wick
candle that looked like Mickey Mouse? For pillar candles, make
sure you burn them for at least one hour for every inch in diameter.
Skip this step and you’ll end up burning a tunnel through
your candle.
5. EXTINGUISHING THE FLAME
To blow out a candle, a candle
snuffer works best. If you don’t have a candle snuffer readily
available, you can blow out the candle by placing an index finger
in front of the flame and blowing gently. This causes the air
to surround the flame and minimizes splattering of hot wax from
the wax pool.
6. SAFETY FIRST
Keep all lit candles out of
the reach of children and pets. Never leave a burning candle
unattended. And always burn candles in a well-ventilated room.
7. CLEANUP
If wax has spilled on the carpet
the best way to remove it is with paper and an iron. Place a
paper towel or brown grocery bag over the spill. Place a heated
iron over the paper towel. The heat from the iron will cause
the wax to melt and be absorbed into the paper towel.
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About The Author:
Chere Deshayes is the president
of Bath Plantation, a company that specializes in fine handcrafted
bath and body products. Subscribe to her FREE newsletter at http://www.bathplantation.com/newsletter.html
or visit her site at http://www.bathplantation.com/.
Source: ArticleCity
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ARTICLE POSTED NOVEMBER 30, 2005
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