Scented candles and waxy home remedies
Now that the weather has started getting dark and dreary here in Seattle, I blew the dust off my votive candleholders and loaded them all up with some stinky candles, and now my house smells a whole lot less like Wet Dog. I’m partial to the Illuminations brand of votives because I think they smell really good, and they last a long-ass time. Also, they completely liquify while they’re burning, which looks pretty.
However, the point of this entry is not so much to pimp the Stinky Awesomeness of Illuminations, but more to give you a seriously fucking handy tip: if you burn candles in small holders, put about a teaspoon of water in the bottom before you add the candle. Then, when the candle has done burnt out, you can pop it out easily instead of furiously attacking it with a knife and chipping out little annoying chunks in a sweaty, frustrating effort to remove all the wax.
Seriously, try it. Best Martha-y advice I ever received.
Also, if you are a dumbass and spill wax, the commercial wax removers work fairly well, but putting a paper bag over the spill and ironing it (which heats the wax and sticks it to the bag) almost always does the trick.
Link: Illuminations candles
Ballpark price: $1.50 per votive (usually there’s a price break if you get a bunch at once)
Posted: September 20th, 2006 under House & home, Personally recommended by Linda.
Comments: 11
Comments
Comment from Sara
Time: September 20, 2006, 1:11 pm
Love the new site! Over in your links section you might want to put Awesome! (http://www.ohmythatsawesome.com). Have you seen that one?
(Sweet idea, Sara! Done. – Linda)
Comment from AmyW
Time: September 20, 2006, 1:15 pm
I have tried the teaspoon of water for votives. It TOTALLY WORKS.
I am commenting to say, I enjoy the new site! It is working perfectly in my browser.
Comment from warcrygirl
Time: September 20, 2006, 1:19 pm
Great advice, I don’t know how many times I’ve looked at a waxy votive holder and just said “fuck it” as I threw it into the trash.
Comment from Jennifer
Time: September 20, 2006, 1:31 pm
I always put my votives in the freezer. After a week or so, the extra wax pops right out!
Comment from JenJ
Time: September 20, 2006, 3:56 pm
Oh my God thank you for the votive tip. I am a candle freak, and this sounds so much easier than my insane method of removing excess wax. This site looks great! (Of course I would happily read your grocery list, but still. Awesome idea!)
Comment from Marie
Time: September 20, 2006, 7:30 pm
Just wanted to second the freezer method…
Comment from robin
Time: September 21, 2006, 4:34 am
Love the new site! Also LOVE candles and LOVE walking into nice smelling house. It’s like an obsession of mine. I’m so fed up with buying candles that smell good under your nose but do nothing while they are burning. I’m gonna try these, Linda, on your advice.
Also, yeah..the water in the votive holders works like a charm.
Comment from megan
Time: September 21, 2006, 5:29 am
Thiriding the freezer tip. Although you don’t have to wait a week. Just a half hour or so - enough so the glass is nice and frozen.
Pier 1 candles are my crack. I am a big fan of their various spicy scents - it makes the house smell so nice and, well, homey!
Love this site!!
Comment from qtilla
Time: September 21, 2006, 7:52 am
I’m a bit ashamed to say this, but forget water and freezers. I use partylights and they liquify and disappear, also the wax doesn’t get hot enough to burn skin, so if a munchkin or dog pulls one over if they don’t touch the flame, all is well. I order mine online to avoid the candle party situation.
Comment from dude who secretly likes candles
Time: October 26, 2006, 12:23 pm
The water thing works, but liquid soap works better. I tend to forget, or not put enough water in, but if you put a tiny bit of liquid soap in there and then give it a quick smear all around with your finger, it’ll work for two to three candles
Comment from hqhetfslrz
Time: July 3, 2007, 12:37 pm
Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! dhpmrspacfat
Write a comment