The Magical World Of Candles

It’s finally summertime and the evenings are lovely. You decide to pull out the patio furniture and have a margarita on your patio as you watch the sun set. It’s lovely and quiet and then it happens, the pesky buzzing and then the slap on the leg to kill the little varmint. It’s mosquito time. Mosquitoes really do ruin quiet summer nights and that’s why every cupboard is filled with mosquito repellant.

But there is another more aromatically pleasant way to rid yourself of these pests and that is with citronella candles. All candle companies are now making citronella candles along with their lines of decorative and scented candles. Citronella is oil that is extracted from the citronella plant. It is a member of the lemongrass family, which is a natural repellant for mosquitoes. These candles come in pillars, votives, torches, buckets, glass and tapers. They can even be poured into shapes such as animals or flowers.

The Most Effective Use

Citronella candles are the most environmentally friendly way to deter biting insects and mosquitoes. They are a wonderful and safe alternative to the harsh synthetic chemicals that are used to deter the pests. Citronella candles are also very decorative on a patio or outdoor area. One citronella candle can provide protection, but to get maximum and effective protection a central grouping of citronella candles combined with citronella candle torches around the edge of the outdoor area is the most effective way to repel the pesky mites.

Placing your decorative candles at close intervals around the area you intend to use will create a screen candle effect. This will help to increase the proximity of people to the candle. The closer the person is to a citronella candle, the better protection it provides. Always be sure to put your outside citronella candles in a glass, terra cotta or metal container for maximum protection and safety. Torches that are set around the yard or patio always make a decorative statement. These candles come in a variety of shapes and sizes and colors.

They can also be purchased in many different containers. The candles are bright and festive and playfully fit right into any outdoor function. Any major hardware store, nursery and now department store will carry citronella candles. You can even purchase them online. If you prefer making your own candles, try adding a little citronella oil to your own personal candle and enjoy the loss of mosquitoes in your yard.

Many people today use candles for aromatherapy and low lighting to create a cozy and intimate ambience. Aromatherapy is an aspect of alternative medicine that uses natural plant essential oils and other parts to induce a general well being of a person.

Aromatherapy Soy Candles

Aromatherapy soy candles are the rage because they are environmentally safe and at the same time can satisfy the aromatherapy needs of an individual. Aromatherapy soy candles are usually made from 100% natural soy. If the aromatherapy soy candles are not made of 100% soy, then they will undoubtedly have other kinds of wax integrated into them and are therefore not the all soy candles that you might have been hoping for.

Aromatherapy soy candles in their true form are good for the environment because they do not produce any toxins or carcinogens as they burn, and they are also biodegradable. This helps our environment even if it is only in a small way. Compared to paraffin candles, aromatherapy soy candles are more environmentally friendly, and in the long run can be healthier to us.

Aromatherapy soy candles do not burn as hot as common paraffin candles so they burn the essential oils more efficiently. This means that the scent is stronger and more fragrant than ordinary candles as well as longer lasting. Due to this cooler burning, they also burn longer than most candles of the same size. Aromatherapy soy candles are also easier to clean than most candles because they can be cleaned with ordinary water and soap. They also produce less soot, if any at all, compared to paraffin wax candles.

Another aspect of many of the aromatherapy soy candles available in the United States market is that they are made from soy that is planted and produced right in this country. This means that purchasing these soy candles will help our nation’s economy as well as give you a high quality, long lasting product.

Be Careful of Lighted Candles

Care must be exercised when using lighted candles. Pillar candles may have melted wax pooling near the wick and this can burn when it touches human skin. Be careful when moving candles around, as the melted wax might spill on you. Aromatherapy soy candles also need to be monitored regularly when lighted. Do not leave children with lighted candles because they might be tempted to play with them. Do not leave candles burning overnight because this may cause fires. Always make sure candles in containers are cool to touch before moving them to avoid accidents.

Aromatherapy candles are made with special oils that have healing and soothing effects. Aromatherapy candles are made with the essential oils of an alternative form of medicine that has become very popular. Many people use aromatherapy candles in their homes or offices because these oils burn and provide special scents. The essential oils used in aromatherapy candles have been selected from special plants that have substances with soothing and healing powers. These essential oils are carefully extracted usually through a distillation process to make aromatherapy candles and other products.

Many people believe in this alternative form of medicine, but there is no definitive research to support the medicinal effects of these candles. These candles are often used along with the oils in other forms to obtain the desired results. Massage therapists often use the oils and candles of aromatherapy. Others simply burn the candles as they proceed with their ordinary routines. In France, these essential oils of aromatherapy are widely accepted as medicine. In other places, many people believe in the powers of the essential oils while others discount the medicinal benefits of these oils.

Aromatherapy Candles Use Specific Oils To Obtain Special Benefits

Experts in aromatherapy know which essential oils will provide specific benefits and aromatherapy candles are manufactured and sold with these benefits in mind. The oils extracted from basil, for example, are supposed to improve the concentration. Citronella candles are used to repel insects so people use these outside when entertaining. Eucalyptus oil is often used as a decongestant so many people use candles with these oils when they have a cold or allergies. Lavender oil seems to have a calming effect so people might use candles made with this oil at the end of a hectic day.

Aromatherapy candles are sold in different forms with a variety of the essential oils. Some of the candles are sold in the shape of the votive candle while others are sold in glass for longer use. There are candles in special travel tins for people who like the benefits of the essential oils while out on the road. Some aromatherapy candles have special traditions. Bayberry candles are often given as gifts for a new year. The tradition holds that this candle when burned to the end of New Year’s Eve will bring special luck. Aromatherapy candles make great gifts for those who appreciate the special powers of the essential oils. Friends and family will usually appreciate these gifts even if they are not familiar with the powers of aromatherapy.

Candles create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere in anyone’s home. Unscented candles are the oldest form of mood setting known to mankind. The use of candles can turn a room into a celebratory affair or a romantic one. They bring warmth and relaxation wherever they are used. Unscented candles have been used for centuries. Their first use was to bring light into a room before electricity had been invented. In early times, people used to make their own unscented candles. It has only been in the last 30 years that candles have become scented.

Decorative Candles

Today, unscented candles are beautifully decorated and come in many shapes. It is very difficult to make a scented candle in an unusual shape because they tend to lose much of their fragrance, and it is much more expensive to make a scented candle into a shape other than a pillar or in a jar. Unscented candles make perfect gifts at any time of the year because of their beautiful presentation. For example, an unscented candle that is in the shape of a cube can be decorated with delicate botanicals on all four faces. When gift wrapped and tied with a silk bow, this beautiful unscented candle makes a statement. This candle can bring a warming atmosphere to any location and using different sizes of the same candle will make a decorative statement in any room. This candle will burn for approximately 40 hours. Unscented candles have a burn time that is longer than a scented candle.

To burn your unscented candle successfully, remember to burn the candle for 1 hour for each inch of it’s diameter before you extinguish it. This means that if you use a candle with a 2 inch diameter, you should burn it continually for 2 hours at a time. This will allow the flame time to melt the wax pool to the outer edge of the candle. This will help your unscented candle to burn down evenly. If you burn the candle for less than 2 hours it will cause the candle core to burn down only in the middle, and this will shorten the candle’s life. If you love candles and have many of them in your home, then following this rule will keep your home filled with beautiful candles for a very long time.

Candles have always brought peace and serenity to the bathtub. There are very few women who have never taken a bath without at least one candle on the edge of the tub. Unscented candles have given women with allergies a chance to enjoy their tub time as well. When stress is taking its toll on your body, pour a glass of wine, turn on the water and light the candles. It’s a very simple way to relieve yourself of the stresses of the world.

I don’t know what it is about candles. Is it the soft gentle light they emit? Is it the beautiful fragrance they convey to the room? Or maybe it’s the reminder of a gentler, slower way of life.
Mind you there is a down side. Candle wax all over the side board or piano. Candle wax in your best table cloth that will never come out and not forgetting hot wax on your hand as you try to carry a candle. You could always buy beeswax candles but the price tag puts them a bit out of reach for everyday use.
Well there is an affordable alternative.

Natural Soy Candles:

In the 1980s and early 90s there was a demand for a natural non petroleum based candle. The only materials available at the time were beeswax and bayberry wax. Although these were being produced in America by the ‘Candleworks’ company they were very expensive. Nobody really wanted to go back to animal fats!

Michael Richards, the founder of the company, tried combining soy oil with beeswax to reduce the cost and produced the forerunner of the natural soy candle.
And so the all natural soy candle was born! By the mid-nineties, these and other products manufactured by Candleworks were available at The Body Shop.

Natural Soy Candles to eat:

In 1996, a further development occurred in the natural soy candles story when a group of students from The University of Purdue won a competition to produce an edible candle, which of course they made from soy. Now I’ve no idea why anyone would want to eat a candle, but they were such a success that they were later marketed by the Indiana Soybean board under the brand name ‘Harvest Lights’. And so the all natural soy candle had arrived.

All natural soy candles have many advantages

They burn more efficiently
They are less expensive that beeswax
You can clean up any residue with soap and water
They leave behind a beautiful fragrance when they burn
They produce no soot or nasty chemicals

It has to be said that in-spite of all the advantages of using all natural soy candles, they are still a bit hard to find. If you look around on line or in speciality shops I am sure you will find some. Persevere because it will be worth the effort to experience life with all natural soy candles.

Once upon a time all room lighting at night was courtesy of candles or oil burners. It was a way of life. Today candles are becoming more and more popular to provide soft and romantic lighting. Compare eating a fine dinner by candle light to eating by the light of a fluro! Candles are also used for religious or spiritual events

Take Care with Burning Candles

The light from a candle is produced by a burning flame. A burning flame is a source of ignition. If it comes into contact with flammable materials like clothing, curtains or paper, you’ve got big trouble. Animals, children and careless adults can all pose a threat. So be very careful when using burning candles.

The main area of concern is to prevent anything flammable from coming into contact with the naked flame. It’s obvious really.
Remember that substances like kerosene, petrol and diesel also give off a gas that is heavier than air and will ignite with disastrous consequences if allowed to come into contact with burning candles. As I’ve mentioned before curtains clothing and paper should be kept well away from burning candles. Another danger to be aware of is wooden uprights or architraves. Heat rises so anything that is above the candle could possibly be ignited.
Never leave burning candles unattended. If you can’t see them you have no idea when things go wrong. A candle can topple from careless placement or a sudden breeze could blow paper onto it.
A properly maintain fire extinguisher is always an asset in the home and if you intend using burning candles a lot, it could be a necessity.

When candles burn they produce molten wax. Get this molten wax on your hand and you could end up with a burn. Tall candles will usually have a pool of molten wax at the bottom and the little tea lights usually end up burning in a pool of molten wax. Also remember that if you put burning candles in containers that the containers will also get hot. Another potential source of pain!

When you have finished with them always make sure that you snuff out burning candles properly. If you are using paraffin wax candles be aware that, especially in an enclosed area, paraffin emits toxic fumes which are dangerous to inhale and not only that they also produce carcinogenic particles when burned.

It’s all commonsense really, just take sensible precautions and you can enjoy burning candles in complete safety.
If you are worried about some of the more unhealthy aspects of paraffin wax candles you can also buy beeswax or soy candles these days.