How to remove wax stains

If you have been careless with your candles and not yet read our guide to candle burning, you may be left with stains on either your clothing, tablecloths or carpets or wooden flooring.   Do not despair!  It is usually possible to completely remove the wax.
wax on carpet
1.  Let the wax cool.  If possible put your clothing in the fridge, if it is on a carpet do not touch it until it is absolutely cold.  If it is a carpet or wooden floor a bag of ice cubes or frozden peas on the stain first will help!

2. If it is on wooden flooring it may work to wipe the wax off with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol (test a small area first in case it affects the wood varnish).   If not proceed as if it is a carpet, making sure you never leave the iron on the surface long enough to burn the wood.

  1. Scrape off all the wax you can.It helps if it is on material or scrunch it up in your hand and then prise all the wax you can see off. If it is on a carpet gently scrape off the excess wax with a knife (or plastic spatula if the spillage is on a wooden floor).
    scraping wax off carpet

    4. Iron out the wax remaining.  Do this buy using either paper towel or blotting paper.  Place several layers of paper towel underneath the material. (of course you cannot do this if it is a carpet).  Then place paper towel over the wax and iron the wax stain.  The wax will be drawn up into the tissue and
    you will have to do it several times, replaying the paper towel as you go, before the wax has completely removed.  Keep going until there is no more wax left on your paper towel.
    Ironing stain from carpet

5. Depending on the colour of the wax you now may or may not be left with a residual stain of the dye used in making the candle.  If on material most stain removers should get it off, then wash as normal.  If on white material you can use diluted bleach to help it on its way.  If on a carpet you will have to try a carpet stain remover, which may work. No guarantees.
carpet wax stain cleaned

Refillable Wax Lantern Candles

How often have you bought a really beautiful candle only to see it disappear before your eyes!   We have just imported a spectacular new range of original wax lantern candles .  The larger ones are really impressive and the great thing is that you refill them with a T light and they last for ever!
star wax lantern candleround wax lantern lg
The two largest wax lanterns are the star and the large ball.   The largest star is an impressive 23cm wide by 13cm deep and the largest globe 20cm in diameter.
They come with a spring holder which holds a glass into which you can put either a T light or one of our plain white votive candles (also available from our bulk discount section).

They form a really impressive centrepiece and make a great present.   The great thing about them is you get a genuine warm candle glow and know that they will keep their wonderful shape and never burn down.
cylindrical wax lantern
They also come in smaller sizes and shapes.    Cylinders, squares and a smaller ball. The smaller sizes come with a small metal holder for the T light which is cleverly incorporated with a cork base so that you never have the potential problem of the T light melting through the lantern’s base.
black bowl candle
Last but not least there is a really unusual design in black, a shallow wax bowl available in black or white which you refill with a T light.   For the black one we sell a T light designed for it.

Don’t put your candles in the fridge!

Putting your candle in the Fridge is NOT a good idea.

Why!

The theory is that if you put your candle in the fridge or freezer you will increased its burning time.  Sadly, this not the case.  A candle is not more than a very carefully controlled fire.  The wax is designed to burn at a specific temperature and the wick is chosen so that the wick will burn the wax at an optimum ratio.  So what can go wrong.

  1.  If you put the candle in the freezer it may well crack.
  2.  If the candle is perfumed the scent in the candle may migrate that instead of being evenly distributed around the wax it can move to the sides and top.
    cracked candle fridge

So now you have risked cracking and the scent being ruined and do not mind either is it still worth trying?

Sadly, not.   Basically candles burn slowly.  The only part of the candle which matters is that part which is closest to the wick being burnt at the top.  Once lit wax around the wick will soon reach its normal room temperature.  As the candle to continues to burn down the area of wax that is being burnt will been warmed up to its original temperature ages ago.  It only takes a couple of moments
for the heat from the flame to warm your icy candle to room temperature.
So The few extra minutes of burn time that you might get from putting a candle in the refrigerator isn’t much, and really isn’t worth the effort.

So it is back to basics!  Your candles will burn for longer if you love them and care for them.  Trim their wicks, keep them out of draughts, put them out correctly and burn them for the right amount of time.  Please see our blog on candle burning.

How to use Microwave to Create Scented Candles

We are introducing an amazing new product which enables you to create beautiful candles using old (or new) cooking oil.   Called the Greatest Candle in the World It comes in a tin which contains scented candle powder, wick holders  and candle wicks and a scoop for measuring the powder.
The greatest candle in the world

Microwave candle old oil

You will also need:-
a. A glass to make the scented candle in.
b. A metal tin or baking tray (just to keep things tidy!)
c) Approximately 100ml Cooking Oil (used or new).
d.A jug or container in a microwaveable material (glass or ceramic). It will be hot when it comes out of the microwave so use a container with a handle.
Making the Candle:-
1)
(only if you are using up old oil, if using fresh cooking oil skip this step).  Filter you oil oil through a coffee filter or small screened colander.  If possible let the oil rest for 24 hours before recycling it to make sure the old particles are separated from the oil.
2. Pour the oil into the jug and pour one heaped scoop of scented wax powder/
3. Microwave for 1-2 minutes on Medium power
4. Using your oven glove remove from microwave and add a further 2 heaped scoops and stir until dissolved.

Stirring the microwave candle5.Pour the oil/candle powder mix into your glass.
6. Place the candle wick using the cardboard wick holder into the oil/wax. Be care as the oil will be HOT. Use a pencil or other long object to make sure the wick is placed centrally at the bottom of the glass.
Microwave scented candle 7. Let the candle cool until solid (this does not take long, 5 to 10 minutes).
Now you have a lovely scented candle!  The kit contains enough ingredients to make at least six candles. Please watch our video on you tube

 

 

Citronella Candles

Citronella Candle Pots

Citronella oil helps repellent insects, although it should be said that although they help keep the mozzies away they are only about 45% effective and should be used with other repellents if you need to be 100% sure of not getting bitten!    Citronella candles are blended with oil from citronella, a grass native to Asia.
Citronella candles are usually yellow, citronella is yellow and some manufacturers companies dye their candles.  They have a strong lemon like scent which is not unpleasant.    We do not recommend any of our citronella candles for indoor use.  The scent tends to be very strong and all our Citronella products are designed to be used in your gardens, patios etc.citronella t lights

If you are having lots of people around or are trying to keep mosquitoes away from an outdoor event such as a wedding we suggest using several candles. A really effective way of doing this is to use citronella T lights we sell in bulk discount cases of 50 for only £7.25   You can use any non flammable container, jam jars, or our small basic votive holder.

I recently gave a party and used old jam jars with citronella t lights which I hung from the branches of a tree. I used a mat ribbon which I tied tightly round the neck of the jar and a loop of green plastic covered garden wire. I then twisted the ends of the wire to make a secure hanging loop.Candle jam jar

We also sell filled hanging citronella glasses a small filled votive holder for only .85p  plus some other filled pots so we have a great choice.

So brighten up your barbecues and enjoy the outdoor life with less chance of  your events being plagues by those irritating biting mosquitos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using Candle Accessories

We all have times when your candle does not fit into your holder, when dinner candles drip, when an old T light seems impossible to remove.  We have several accessories which make it easier for you.
1.  Candle Tongs. A brilliant gadget. A long tong for lifting  T lights out of tall containers.
T light tong
2.  Drip rings.  We love these, they look good and are a godsend when you have no alternative but to burn candles in a bit of a draught.
candle drip ring
3.  Candle Sharpener. Another useful item, use if your dinner candle is too thick for its holder.  It works like a giant like a pencil sharpener.
candle sharpener
3. Candle Gutterer or Follower,for use with straight sided dinner candles (like our classics candles with self fitting bases).   It follows the candle down as it  burns providing a protective shade for the flame, again ideal when you cannot avoid burning candles in a draught.
candle gutterer
7. Gas Lighters, much better than matches as it ensures you do not leave match ends in your candle.   It is long with a rotatable lighting end, perfect for candles when it is hard to reach the wick.
8. Candle Lighting Tapers.  These have been around for years of course.   A 30cm taper, again useful for lighting candles in awkward places.
8. Snuffers. Snuffers are really useful for putting out dinner candles and candles that are out of reach.  Blowing a candle out if not really a good idea, you can inadvertently blow molten wax over your clothing or surfaces.  Of course the best way to put a pillar candle out is to dip the wick back into the pool of molten wax and bring it up again making sure it is centered.
candle snuffer
9. Candle Flower Rings.   They sit prettily at the base of the candle and come in several designs.
candle flower ring

10. Stickum  Small blobs of soft wax that you put under a dinner candle to make them sit securely in their holder.
stick-um

 

How to save old wax and make wax melts.

So you have spent a fortune on that special scented candle, and now you are left with a useless glass with some wax at the bottom.  It is really easy to remove the wax and make wax melts from the residue.
You will need
1. A spent scented candle in a glass.
2. A double saucepan or metal bowl over a saucepan of hot water.
3. A mould for the wax melts, anything will do ice cube tray, bun tin or cake tin.
1st Step.
a.  Remove the old wax.
i)   Place the glass in a bowl of warm water and wait until it has heated up a little, This is to prevent the glass cracking in the next step.
ii)  Take the warm glass and and pour a really hot water on top on the wax residue.
candle end in glass        wax floating to top       candle end
The next bit is fun!    Watch as the wax left in the gently floats  to the top of the glass.  You may have to prod the edge slightly first to encourage it to rise.  Remove the wax stub with a spoon and place on a kitchen towel to dry.
b. Make your wax melt.
i)  Melt the wax residue in a  double saucepan. Remove the wick sustainer and what remains of the wick.
ii) Pour into your  mould.  You can use ice moulds, as I have done here, or bun tins or foils.
   melting the candle endtin foil mould for floating cand  Pouring wax into mould
iii) Wait until fully set and then  remove it  from the mould.
iv)  Place on your oil burner, place a T light in the oil  burner, and light it.

c.  Enjoy your favourite scent again as it refreshes your room.  It is such a waste throwing all that expensive residue away!   Here it the wax melt on our yellow oil burner now on sale at only £2.00!
oil burner with wax melt

Do watch our video on how to do it!

 

Pond Candles

One of the most exciting ways of making a venue unique is to use candles on a lake or a pond.   You get wonderful reflections  in the water and I have seen them at outdoor wedding receptions where they make a wonderful addition to the atmosphere.
floating pond candles

There are three ways of doing this:-
1. Buy pond candles online.  These are especially large floating candles made especially for use on water.
2. Make your own!  You will need
a. A mould. Use tin foil cake tins, or a small metal bowl

metal bowl for floating candle tin foil mould for floating cand

b.  A cooking thermometer
c.  Double saucepan or metal bowl over a saucepan of wagter
d.  About 200 gramms wax and stearin mix, or 180gms of paraffin wax with 20gms of stearin added.
e.  Wick, the size will depend on the width of the mold you are using but I would suggest about 60mm or 2.5″.
Method.
a.   Heat the wax to 180F in your double boiler or metal bowl over water.
b. Take a length of wick and dip it in the wick, take it out and pull it straight.
This is called ‘priming’ the wick and will ensure that it is ready waxed and stiff.
c.  Pour about 10mm or 1/4″ of wax in to the base of the mould.  Wait until it is almost set then push one end of the wick down into the centre of the wax.
d. Place a stick of across the top of the mould (a chop stick is ideal), and fold the wick gently over it.
e.  Pour in wax to the top of the mould at 180F.
f.   When it is nearly set prick the surface to expose any air bubbles.
g.  Top it up with hot wax at 180f.
h. When completely set take it out of the mould.
3. Float T lights in foil containers.
T light floating foil container

So light up your water and your event!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use Church Candles Outside

Because church candles are made of harder wax and have larger wicks than pillar candles they are ideal for burning outside.  Of course it is really important that they are placed securely into a container.  I had great fun designing this project which uses church candles in a terracotta plant pot to give a dramatic and safe display.  This project is ONLY suitable for outside use, please do not try it inside as church candles tend to smoke unless their wicks are kept scrupulously trimmed, and burning several of them together is not a good idea indoors.church candles alight in potYou will need:- 
1. A selection of 7 2″ diameter church candles. I chose 6″ x 2″, 9″ x 2″ and 12″ x 2″.
2. An oblong terracotta pot
3. Some ivy.
4. Some sand (earth will do just as well).
1st Step

church candle with ivy
Pour about 15 cm of earth or sand into the terracotta pot. You need a decent depth to give height and also to ensure that the candles are firmly fixed.
2nd Step

terracotta pot for candles
Damped the earth or sand with water.  This will ensure  that the ivy does not dry out and that the candles will sit securely.
3rd step
ivy for church candles
Place some ivy  cuttings in the soil or sand. It looks good when you leave some draping over the edge of the pot.
4th Step
placing church candles in pot
Place the candles in the pot. This picture is a little misleading as the candles would really be at least 2cm apart as in the picture at the top of this page.  It does’t matter so much of course when candles are being burnt outside, but if placed too close together they will drip horribly!
Please make sure that you put the post somewhere where it will be safe from being knocked over, away from inflammable material hanging leaves) and that the display is not within the reach of children.

Finally light the candles and brighten up your barbeque!

 

 

Wax tarts and how to make and melt them

The easiest, quickest way to fill your room with wonderful fragrance.   Basically they work like scented candles without a wick!   They melt fast in oil burners and the scent is diffused quicker then when using candles.  You can vary the strength of the scent by the amount you choose to put in.  Prettilly packaged they make a  wonderful gift. This step by step guide will teach you how to make small white hearts.  Ideal packed in a small box for organza bag for wedding favours!
Heart wax melts

So you will need:-
1. A rubber heart ice mould ( bun tins work well also).
2. A cooking thermometer
3. A double saucepan or bowl over a saucepan to melt the wax in.
4. A metal jug to pour in the wax.
5. Wax and stearin mix (put in 10% extra stearin if you want them extra white).
6. Candle perfume.
   pouring wax melt   double saucepan for wax

Making the Wax Melts

1.Melt about 200 gms of  of wax and stearin mix in a double saucepan or in a metal bowl over a saucepan of hot water. Heat to 180F.
2. Add a few drops of camdle perfume.Stir gently.
2. Ladel the moten waxwax from into your jug.
3. Fill the wax hearts.
4. Wait for them to set, and then simply pop them of of their mould.

About Wax Melts
Candle manufactures invented was melts, also known as wax tarts.   Place them in oil burners  light a 4-5 hour Tea light and their perfume will quickly infuse your room.  They are very safe to use and safer than using oil and water in a wax burner.
Make wax melts from your left over scented candle ends.  I am shortly going to write a blog about how to easily remove old wax from scented candle glasses – such a shame to throw that wonderfully scented wax away!