Removing nicks from candles – Improve the look of dusty or nicked candles with an old pair of pantyhose.  Using the hose like a glove, simply rub out the problem. 

Removing white coating from candles – This coating, known as “bloom”, can develop on candles stored in cold temperatures.  Put your hair dryer setting on low, and gently apply low heat to your candle.  Usually the bloom will disappear within 15 seconds.

Getting wax out of votive candle holders – place ¼” of water at the bottom of the glass votive holder when lighting the candle.  This will prevent the hot wax from sticking to the glass, and will also ensure that you won’t burn the candle too low as well (stop burning all candles when they are less than ¼” tall).

How to remove wax from carpet – Begin by scraping up the excess wax with a butter knife or other dull edge.  Put a paper bag over the remaining wax, then press gently on the bag with a warm iron.  The wax should transfer to the paper bag.  You may need to test several settings on the iron to determine the sufficient level of heat to melt the wax Keep using clean parts of the bag so you don’t accidentally put any wax back in the carpet.  Repeat the process until your rug is wax free.  One note, however – if the wax has artificial color, you may not be able to get the color out of your carpet.

Some people have also suggested using an old towel or even white paper towels instead of the paper bag.

Make sure that whatever you use doesn’t contain any color or dye so that you’ll avoid dye transfer into the rug. 

Removing candle wax from tablecloths or cloth napkins – Start by placing an ice cube or ice pack on the wax to harden it.  Once the wax becomes brittle, use a dull edge to scrape away as much wax as possible.  Some people like using a credit card for this purpose; just make sure if you use a knife that the edge is not serrated, which could damage the cloth.

Next, follow similar directions as removing wax from carpets; place one paper bag underneath the cloth, another paper bag on top of the wax, and apply heat through a warm iron.  Again, test various heat settings to find one sufficient to transfer the wax to the top paper bag; you should be safe starting with a medium setting.

If colored wax left a stain, pre-treat the stain and launder the soiled fabric as soon as possible.  Toss in a color-absorbing laundry sheet (Shout makes these) to prevent color transfer to any other items in the wash load.

Ears alert, tiny nose peaking out, the Chihuahua candle is a great example.  The candle is 4 inches tall, three inches in length, and just over three inches deep.  My favorite features of this candle are the cute little eyes and the hint of a smile on this sweet creature’s face.  I get the same feeling looking at the Beagle candle, with his sweet little head cocked to one side, floppy ears draped against his neck, white snout surrounded by brown fur that looks so soft you’ll want to pet them.

The Boxer candle, complete with furrowed brow and droopy lips, reflects the playful personality of this regal breed.  The Golden Retriever candle captures this animal’s very soul, with soft eyes, alert brow, and even a hint of his tongue emerging from his mouth.

Other breeds available include German Shepherds, Poodles, and Rottweilers.  There are also candles shaped like other animals, like Orca whales, elephants, and koala bears.  The candles are less than $20 and are unscented.  I checked, and the company made sure they had a great supply in stock for the holidays, because as Christmas candle gifts, these are one of their most popular items.

The most important thing is to never leave a burning candle unattended. Even with a jar candle the flame can reach above the top of the jar. If you are enjoying a scented candle, just light it in the room you plan to spend the most time in. Though it may be more romantic with candlelight in your bedroom, keep things safe by extinguishing that flame before going to sleep.

Put your candles in a candle holder that will not easily tip, and place the candle and holder on a solid, heat resistant surface. Choose a place out of the reach of pets and children, so the candle cannot be accidentally knocked over. Make sure flammable objects, like lampshades or curtains, are at least 3 feet away.

Keep the wick of your candle trimmed to about ¼ inch. This will prevent excessive smoking from the wick, so you can enjoy the beautiful scent rather than anything else!

Finally, when the candle is only ½ inch tall or deep, or the container cracks, it is time to say goodbye to that one. Better to start burning a new candle than take any chances.

Enjoyed safely, candles add color and beauty to our lives. By following these simple candle safety ideas, candles can be part of your life forever.