Here are some tips, tricks and hints about candles and melts you may or may not know. They can come in handy for those who don't, so a good friend helped me put these together.
All hints, tips and tricks by me personally, that I know will work on my candles and melts have a blue asterisk [ * ] in front of it. I have no idea if this will actually work with other candle brands.
If you have a Tip, Trick or Hint, please send it to me by clicking the link below. It will automatically put in "HSC Tips, Tricks and Hints" in the subject line for you. Please let me know if you want your name under it or not.
Keep wax free of matches, wick trimmings, or other flammable materials. Keep wick trimmed to 1/4" for proper burning. Burn only on stable, heat resistant surface for 3 to 4 hrs for best results. Keep out of drafts. Discontinue use when only 1/2" wax remains in bottom. Do NOT move candle while burning or if wax is hot. Keep out of reach of children & pets. NEVER leave burning candle unattended.
Wicks
Always be sure your wicks are trimmed down to 1/4". This will make your candles last longer and burn cleaner.
Before I light my candle, assuming yours has cooled completely, I just reach in and pinch off the top. This seems to take it right down to the right length. If any of it gets into my candle, I just turn it over and out it comes.
Jar Candles
It's best to burn your candle until the wax has completely pooled over the top. That way, you always have a clean burning jar candle.
If you like to change scents often in day, and have a candle warmer or tart melter with the heating plate, you can purchase Corningware™ 7 oz Ramekins in a package of 2 from just about any store, (I get mine at Walmart & KMart). This way, while one is cooling, you can just put on another with another scent in it. You can change several in a day.
*Changing Melt Scents
Be sure that your wax has COMPLETELY COOLED. You can then turn it with your thumbs to loosen it, turn over the bowl, and out comes the wax. I put mine in ziplock bags, as these tend to refresh the scents better for the next time I am in the mood for that scent. By doing this, you can use them over an over again, making them last a very long time.
If you are still having problems, put it in the freezer for an hour or two and try again.
Votives in Warmers
If you pull out the wick assembly from the bottom of a votive, you can use a votive as a melt, as long as what you are using will hold 2 oz of wax. If not, go pick up a couple of those ramekins. * See "Melts and Warmers Above"
*Cleaning Jars
If you want to save your jars to keep "things" in, it's very easy to get the wax out. Just put it in the freezer for a few hours. You will probably still have to 'cut' the wax with a dull knife, so be VERY careful, but then the chunks will come out easily and you should be able to use pliers or something to pull the wick assembly out along with any wax attached to it.
Then, I put in hot water and I put it in the microwave for 2 to 3 mins. Be EXTREMELY careful when removing it. Use pot holders with a good gripping so as not to let it slip.
I then soak it in Dawn™ Dish washing liquid and clean it throughly until the jar is not hot to the touch and wash it thoroughly.
If I am using it for sugar, candy or anything edible, after washing it, I then clean the interior with regular rubbing alcohol to get out Every trace of the oil residue and rewash it again to be on the safe side.
Removing Wax
on Material
Step 1 - Scrape away as much wax as you can with a dull knife.
Step 2 - Place a sheet of butcher paper, glossy side up, or a portion of a brown paper bag on top of the wax.
Step 3 - Press the tip of a warm iron gently over the affected area until the wax melts and attaches to the paper.
Step 4 - Lift the paper from the fabric as it cools.
Step 5 - Dab a small amount of denatured alcohol onto the stain if any candle dye remains on the fabric.
Step 6 - Sponge with water.
Step 7 - Wash the fabric as usual.
Removing Wax
from Carpet
You have a candle that has been knocked off the coffee table right on to the floor and you are freaking out thinking i have to replace my carpets. Well think again i will show you how to get that pesky wax right out of the carpet with this easy trick.
Step 1: First you will want to let the wax get hard on the floor. do not try to scrape or cut you will just make a bigger mess and spread the wax, not to mention cut your carpet.
Step 2:
Take a brown paper bag and lay over the wax stain. (Your local grocery store still sells brown paper lunch bags and they are still cheap!) Plug in your iron and get it warm, not too hot. After it is warmed up take the iron and go over the bag slowly. you will notice that the bag is soaking up the wax.
Step 3:
After the bag is soiled with wax grab a new brown paper bag and repeat. Keep doing this until you have all the wax up off the carpet. Now you will not have to replace your carpet and the floor looks good as new.
