How to get the most out of your scented candles

Scented candles! We all love them. Here's how to make them last longer.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Scented candles
• A lighter or matches
• A candle snuffer

1. When you bring home that very first lovely cinnamon roll scented candle,give it a light! Scented candles make your home smell lovely and add a relaxing aroma to the air, increasing the enjoyment of everyone in the room. Light your candle for no more than an hour at a time. This gives the scent enough time to permeate through the house.

2. When you are ready to put the candle out, use a snuffer. These can be purchased at any home goods store. They have decorative ones that match your candle holders, and are also a traditional piece to add to any antique collection. Snuffing the candle instead of blowing it out decreases the amount of smoke sent into the air, and allows your candle to cool faster, saving the wax and scent. Your candle won't go from that lovely vanilla bean smell into the awful "blown-out wick" smell with as much force. Vanilla bean will rule the air!

3. When your candle finally does burn down to nothing, use the candle jar, (if the candle comes with one,) to store often used pens. The scented wax residue inside the jar will bless your pens with the lovely candle aroma. What's better than getting a whiff of pumpkin pie as you write your loved ones a note?

Tips & Warnings

• Try glade candles. They are long-lasting, great-smelling, and make perfect after-melted pen cups!
• Put your candle in a safe area, away from sensitive table surfaces. As the candle burns, (even through the holder,) the outside becomes very hot and can ruin furniture.
• Beware of dripping wax! Not every surface can withstand a sound butter-knife chiseling.
• Before lighting a candle, ask everyone in the room if it is alright. Some people are sensitive to strong smells, and others have allergies. Be courteous!
• Never leave a lit candle unsupervised. Curious pets can knock them over and you'll be fighting a fire instead of enjoying a scented candle.

[AbbyNormal]

on 6/5/2008 Good article and great warnings!