The Pros and Cons of LED Candles

LED candles are the latest technological advance  which has been introduced to challenge the established world of wax and paraffin candles, scented or unscented. The purpose of this type of technology is to create a candle which is environmentally-friendly and does not have the disadvantages that traditional ones have , such as annoying smoke, the risk of causing a fire or the possibility of the wax staining the surface where the candle has been placed . Another important drawback has always been not being able to use candles outside if there is a bit of a wind or leave them in places where there are young children . Would it ever occur to you to leave a traditional candle burning in a child´s bedroom to create a warm, cosy atmosphere while the infant is sleeping? The answer is, naturally, no. After several years of investigation, a “candle” has been made which does not produce any of these inconveniences or safety hazards but is still 100% natural. Now you can leave a candle burning anywhere you like around the home or garden without having to worry about the possible dangers involved in doing so. Now, those are the positive benefits of these candles. Most candles fans would argue that there are a few drawbacks. If you love scented candles like the luxury ones made  by brands like yankee candles and true grace candles then LED candles are not for you. Put simply, they have no aroma. The other main benefit of a real candle is its soft dancing flame which can help give any room a light and gentle atmosphere . LED candles have tried to approximate the flame of a real candle but it is hardly the same thing. There is no doubt} that these new "candles" are certainly handy for a number of situations but for true candle lovers nothing beats the real thing!






The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store where you will find a wide range of candles, including the famous Yankee candles

The Benefits Of LED Candles

LED candles are the most recent introduction to the world of domestic and commercial lighting  which has been designed to offer an alternative to the established range of wax candles on the market, including both the scented and unscented varieties. The reason someone has taken the trouble to come up with such an alternative to a basic item like a candle is to introduce an item which is eco friendly and which does not carry with it some of the drawbacks associated with traditional candles such as the risk of accidental fire . One other problem with traditional candles is that very often you are not able to use candles in the open air if if it is blowing a gale as well as the more significant problem that it is not safe to leave a lit candle where kids are playing or in a room which is left unattended. Candles help create a warm inviting atmosphere but could you ever countenance a situation where you would leave a lit candle burning in your child’s bedroom while they slept? Clearly, the answer to this question is no. Now, however, after extensive research and experimentation, a “candle” has been manufactured which does not have any of these associated problemsbut is still 100% natural. Accordingly  you can now leave a candle alight anywhere you wish in the home or garden without any of the attendant worries associated with leaving a traditional candle around. Well, so much for the advantages of these LED candles. While acknowledging these positive points most fans of candles, scented or otherwise, would point out that they, too, have a number of drawbacks or negative points. If you appreciate scented candles like the de luxe varieties produced  by manufacturers including yankee candles and true grace candles then LED candles are unlikely to be a real alternative. In simple terms, they have no perfume. The other main plus point of a wax candle is its lovely glowing flame which can create a welcoming mood in just about any room you care to mention. Those who make these LED candles have done their best to give their products something similar to the flame of a real candle but it is really not the same thing. It is beyond dispute} that these new "candles" come in handy for a number of situations but for true candle lovers nothing beats the real thing!






The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store where you will find a wide range of scented candles including luxury brands like True Grace candles

The Pros and Cons of LED Candles

LED candles are the most recent introduction to the world of domestic and commercial lighting  which has been designed to offer an alternative to the established range of wax candles on the market, including both the scented and unscented varieties. The reason someone has taken the trouble to come up with such an alternative to a basic item like a candle is to introduce an item which is eco friendly and which does not carry with it some of the drawbacks associated with traditional candles such as the risk of accidental fire . One other problem with traditional candles is that very often you are not able to use candles in the open air if if it is blowing a gale as well as the more significant problem that it is not safe to leave a lit candle where kids are playing or in a room which is left unattended. Candles help create a warm inviting atmosphere but could you ever countenance a situation where you would leave a lit candle burning in your child’s bedroom while they slept? Clearly, the answer to this question is no. Now, however, after extensive research and experimentation, a “candle” has been created which does not have any of these associated problemsbut is still 100% natural. Accordingly  you can now leave a candle alight anywhere you wish in the home or garden without any of the attendant worries associated with leaving a traditional candle around. Well, so much for the advantages of these LED candles. While acknowledging these positive points most fans of candles, scented or otherwise, would point out that they, too, have a number of drawbacks or negative points. If you like scented candles like the de luxe varieties manufactured  by manufacturers including yankee candles and true grace candles then LED candles are unlikely to be a real alternative. In simple terms, they have no perfume. The other main plus point of a wax candle is its lovely glowing flame which can create a welcoming mood in just about any room you care to mention. Those who make these LED candles have done their best to give their products something similar to the flame of a real candle but it is really not the same thing. It is beyond dispute} that these new "candles" come in handy for a number of situations but for true candle lovers nothing beats the real thing!






The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store where you will find a wide range of scented candles including luxury brands like True Grace candles

What Exactly is Eco Cleaning?

So what do we really mean when we talk about eco friendly cleaning  products and techniques? We decided to get some help from the "coalface" so we asked cleaning specialists Proclean Domestic Cleaning and carpet cleaning glasgow for their thoughts:

Environmentally friendly cleaning involves being aware that most  of cleaning materials we use each day around the home contain chemicals (such as ammonia, phenol and ethanol to name but a few) and using them too much or indiscriminately can be injurious not only to the environment but also to our health and wellbeing. There is accordingly a strong argument to suggest to alter our habits when it comes to doing the chores around the house, replacing harmful products with ones that are environmentally-friendly and that do not put at risk the health of those using them . For example , if we are conscious of our environmental responsibilities, we will try to clean our toilets using biodegradable products which evaporate and disintegrate easily and quickly, instead of using bleach. But there is another aspect to eco-cleaning and that is to ensure we conserve as many resources as possible while cleaning. A perfect example is water. Let´s face it. We are all guilty of leaving the bathroom or kitchen tap on and letting the water run when it isn´t at all necessary. Why not try using a bucket of water and detergent to wash all the accessories, then rinse and  use another bucket of clean water and detergent to tackle the floors. Are you aware of the amount of chemical products that go down the waste outlet whenever we clean the bathroom? And remember these chemicals get mixed with all the other residue that goes down the toilet. Of course, later they are treated but they don´t break down completely and, unfortunately, they end up polluting rivers and seas. If you are truly committed to helping save the planet keeping it clean, use biodegradable products or, better still, turn to more traditional and cheaper ways of cleaning using vinegar for washing the floor, glass and mirrors or bicarbonate of soda for cleaning white surfaces such as marble. For plastic finishes, use cotton wool soaked in methylated spirits. Use air-fresheners with natural oils. Scented candles are a perfect example.  Add some vinegar to the washing-up water. Not only will you save on washing-up liquid but your plates will have a beautiful sparkle . If we really want to clean ecologically, we should keep to a minimum the amount of products we use that contain chemicals. Don´t you think it´s a bit over-the.top to use a different product for each type of surface? The simplest and most natural ones will end up being the best and your home will be looking spick and span. Moreover, you´ll feel great having done your bit to help look after the environment!

So, there it is - take the advice of Proclean Carpet Cleaners Glasgow and make your household chores eco-friendly.








The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store which supplies a wide range of scented candles, including the famous Yankee candles

Don't Forget Your Home Office When It Comes To Interior Design

 An


organised desk or office at home is absolutely


essential if you want to run your home – or indeed your home business –


efficiently.


Organising your work space in the home need not take too long and don't forget


to pay some attention to the design and


layout of your home office so that it has the same sense of style as the rest


of your home .







To


make certain that everything is in the


right place make certain to label drawers in your


storage cabinets. But if this job needs to be done try to inject a little


style and panache . To give your office an personal touch, you


could use luggage labels hung on to handles or bookplate


inspired stickers for a library style.







Do not forget to tidy up your computer too. First things first this


means giving it a good clean, including the monitor, the keyboards and the


mouse. It is never easy


to clean the keyboard. All those small spaces seem to attract dirt and crumbs,


so if you are cleaning this part of the computer then a cotton bud is an


invaluable tool. Give the other parts of the keyboard a wipe with a cloth,


preferably a microfibre cloth.


Exercise caution when it comes to cleaning your monitor screen. Avoid if possible usingany liquid on this, but if there are


stubborn stains you could wipe them very carefully with a


very lightly dampened microfibre cloth







Try to keep the desk area in


your home office as neat and tidy as you can. As soon as you have finished


cleaning your computer, take some time to organise


the remainder of your desk. Make an


effort not to leave papers lying around or


it is almost inevitable something


will be lost.


a few in trays are perfect for keeping more urgent papers


in sight, while at the same time keeping everything neat and


tidy. You could have one for priorities and another one for


items which do not require to be


worked on straight away.







And


when you have dealt with all these everyday tasks, there is nothing wrong with giving your home office  a decorative


flourish. You could


add a stylish touch to your home office with display of


flowers or a pot plant. If you prefer not to have to look after real flowers or


plants there is always the silk variety. Or why not sit an


attractive scented candles on your desk? A


jar candle or a scented candle tin from a company such as true grace


candles or yankee


candles would be perfect. You can find them in a vast range of colours, designs and, of course, fragrances, so that there will always be a candle available to suit your interior design requirements perfectly.  Perhaps you prefer a jar candle in which case it is hard to look beyond True Grace's beautiful jar candles in etched glass crystal, but if you would like something in a tin, rather than in glass,  then there is loads of choice available there too.  The choice is yours!


































Thew author is the owner of The Scented Candle Store which supplies a wide range of scented candles including Yankee candles

Tips On Getting A Great Smelling Home

One of the rooms in every house that tends to be prone to unpleasant smells is the kitchen  because of cooking, food stuffs etc but happily in most cases it is a simple exercise to eradicate these stale odours.  One of the first steps in dealing with the problem is to try to find out where the smell is coming from. You may find the source of the odour is coming from the fridge, the trash bin or even from a dirty drain. If the smell is indeed coming from the drain, a regular measure of bleach - try using it every day - should deal with the issue. Just pour a litlle bleach down the sink shortly before going to bed. If you discover that the odour emanates from your waste bin, be certain  to empty it regularly. Not only that, but also do not forget that you should wash the bin  now and again~ at regular intervals, for preference with a disinfectant such as Dettol, since stains and food can build up on the surface of the bin if it is not dealt with. If you discover that there is a stale smell emanating from the fridge, simply place inside the appliance a glass with a splash of vinegar and a bowl with some baking soda. This is a remedy your granny would recognise  but it's nonetheless effective for all that. When you return home from your vacation and discover that your freezer has defrosted, clean it using water and baking soda or vinegar. Try to leave the door of the freezer slightly open and repeat the process. Afterwards, sit half a lemon inside or a glass of milk with some lemon peel. When it comes to cleaning the oven and micro-oven, sit a heat resistant bowl inside with water and lemon juice. Heat the oven for several minutes and leave the recipient inside for half an hour. In order to have  your washing-machine clean and smelling pleasant all  that is required is to switch it on at a temperature of 60º(without any clothes)and add some bleach to the wash.  And if opening your wardrobe or shoe cupboard brings with it the hazard of smelly shoes, you are not alone Don´t worry! We have the answer! Place inside the cupboard a little bag with some coffee beans or some camomile. If you have a young child who unfortunately has wet the bed , clean the mattress using warm water and bicabonate and you´ll see how the stain and the smell disappear. Don´t forget that there are special products that can help to leave a pleasant aroma around the home. For example, you can add an aromatiser to the water for ironing or place a little perfumed sachet inside the bag of the vacuum-cleaner.There are even mattresses with natural oils incorporated which neutralise body odour and give off a pleasant aroma. One of the most straightforwardsolutions to this problem is to have a go at using some home fragrances, such as some scented candles or reed diffusers diffusers. There is a vast selection to be had but we recommed luxury makes  like True Grace candles and Yankee candles, to name just two of the many available.




The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store, supplying a range of home fragrances including scented candles by Yankee candles

Give Your Kitchen And Bathroom A New Appeal

Are you considering changing the tiles in your kitchen or bathroom ? Well, think no more. Brick-shaped tiles are very much in vogue at the moment . Retro ones are inspired by the type used in some London underground stations, and are ideal when thinking of a new look for a traditional home . But if that´s not your style, don´t give up on your brick-shaped dream. Stylish more modern tiles  mean that there´s something to suit everyone and at every price point .These tiles look especially attractive  surrounded by clean, contemporary  accessories. In the kitchen there are plenty of  of products  which work well with them, from a sleek chrome espresso machine, to the more basic   jars  for everyday items like bread, coffee and tea. Scented candles are also a great choice  with these type of tiles, all the more so in the kitchen or in the bathroon. A plain white brick shaped tile on the bathroom wall is the ideal backing  for a choice  of pretty coloured votice candles, especially if you decide to go for candles at the higher end of the market by brands such as yankee candles and true grace candles, to name but a few. Also in the barthroom brick shape tiles are great on the wall, where you can also fix towel rails and other storage items to keep things neat and tidy.




When you come to purchase tiles, ensure  all of them come from the same batch to avoid differences  in colour. Give them a through look over   to make sure they aren´t damaged at all  and then mix them up so any slight differences between boxes are evened out over the piece   It is worth buying  quite a few extra tiles than you actually need so that you have some surplus to take account of  mistakes, cutting and wastage. If you are loking to make your life as easy as possible  you could lay new tiles over existing ones, although this never looks quite as impressive as laying yoyur tiles on a pristine surface If you wish to avoid this, or you want to tile less or more of the walls, carefully remove the existing tiles and start from scratch. The most important thing is to make sure the are clean, dry and flat before you start the job.






If, while you are fitting the tiles, you see that some of them are a little uneven  prise them out, remove some   adhesive and replace  On the other hand, if you see that they are sunken, apply more adhesive. Another useful tip is to use coloured grout when fitting tiles near  the hob, and in other places if you live in a hard-water area, to avoid discolouration-grey grout goes well with white tiles. Cutting tiles can be problematic, especially if they are small . The best thing is to get a loan of an electric, water-cooled diamond wheel tile cutter. Measure and mark your tiles first, and always wearing goggles when cutting.





The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store which supplies a range of luxury home fragrances including scented candles by Yankee candles

Are Electric Candles A Real Alternative?

Were you aware  that old familiar   wax candles have a contemporary   alternative  - rechargeable electric candles. Fans of traditional candles  - those of us who appreciate  the perfume , the flickering  flame and the  relaxed comfortable ambiance  that scented candles give to our home - will detest  the idea of candle that works by electricity  and that will come as little surprise . There is something extremely fascinating  about the soft glow  of a candle, something that makes us feel very warm and relaxed  . Some folk  have suggested that this dates back  on a subconscious level to times gone by  when our forefathers  used candles to give them some means of getting heat and light  during cold dark winter months . Or maybe it has something to do with   remenbering childrens parties from long ago, with thoughts of blowing out the candles on a delicious cake at a birthday party  No matter the reason , we are most certainly  attracted to candles, particularly  if they are sophisticated  scented candles such as those made by companies  like true grace candles and yankee candles. Well, do electric candles have anything to offer?  Do they have any benefits ? They are made of silicone, and contain a small lamp  inside, which can be recharged by using  an electric charger. When fully charged, these electric candles can provide illumination for up to twelve hours. The lamps which are within  these candles have a flickering effect that is supposed to look like  the dim flicker of a real candle. Needless to say  these electric candles do not melt or go out if there is a gust of wind . Nonetheless , they do not provide  the advantages  of real  candles, which means that you cannot indulge yourself in the sweet smell  of your favourite fragrant  candle and you do not enjoy the same choice of colours, sizes and designs . To be blunt , they are not real candles. That said , there are occasions  when they can be very handy  - such as a form of decoration for restaurants or any other place where candles tend to be lit for a long time . In such a case  it can often  be hard  to make sure that wax candles are always available  There are also situations  where it may not be completely  safe to leave candles burning unattended for a lengthy period . Indeed this is one of the reasons why we can often find electric candles being used in churches .





The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store which supplies a range of home fragrances, including scented candles by brands like Yankee candles.

The Benefits Of The Humble Lemon

Of all the citrus fruit, lemon is probably the one that offers the most health benefits. The fruit and juice of the lemon have natural antiseptic qualities and the peel contains large amounts of essential oils which have been used for many decades in the preparation of foodstuffs, cosmetics, medicines and even scented candles. In fact did you know that many luxury brands of scented candle makers  use the essential oil of lemon to give their candles their all important fragrance ? This means that by burning these kinds of candles, as well as enjoying the lovely fragrances they have, you can partake of all the therapeutic benefits that lemons have to offer by inhaling the scented air - in effect, practising aromatherapy. When it comes to food, basically, the healing power of lemon is found in its low energy content, the perfect balance between sodium and potassium and of course, vitamin C. The lemon has such a low amount of carbohydrates that it can be used to help us to diet . Eating lemons is a good way to get vitamin C without having to consume too many calories . Lemon contains high levels of potassium and low sodium content, which is an ideal combination to combat hypertension . For those of us who have high blood pressure and should not consume salt, lemon can be used instead to give added flavour to our food . In fact, many doctors and other health professionals suggest flavouring food with a little lemon juice or with herbs - either fresh or dried - in an attempt to get away from the reliance on salt as a flavour enhancer. Aromatherapists recommend the scent of lemon oil for its soothing and invigorating qualities. Many luxury scented candles such as those made by companies like Yankee candles and True Grace candles are made with essential oil of lemon and when you light them at home you savour the benefits the oils have to offer. If you are a diabetic lemon is also good because of its low sugar content. As well as this, we are all aware that a good remedy for fever is lemon juice mixed together with warm water and honey. The same mixture can help to relieve bronchitis. Tonsilitis can be helped by gargling lemon juice (about ten teaspoonfulls of this citrus in a glass of water). The vitamin C contained in citrus fruits, if consumed regularly , will help considerably to prevent us from getting cold viruses and influenza. Athletes and people who regularly do a lot of physical exercise can recover from tiredness taking lemon juice. Lemon is also used extensively in beauty products and tips for its use abound . Here are a few. For oily skin, gently rub your face with cottonwool soaked in lemon juice and let it dry. To remove the grease, make a mask out of cornstarch, almonds and lemon juice. Spread the mask over your face and then leaving it for ten minutes before rinsing with warm water and cottonwool. To condition your hair, add some lemon juice to the water used for rinsing your hair. As a deodorant lemon juice can be applied directly onto the skin as it neutralizes body odour.





The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store which supplies a range of luxury scented candles, including brands like Yankee candles.

How To Create True To Life Scented Candles

Making your own scented candles can be a really fun hobby . Not only that but there is considerable pride to be had from making your own candles, instead of just going along to the shop to buy one. Doing it yourself means you can create a candle in the exact shape, colour and fragrance you wish , with no need to compromise. It is pretty easy to make your own scented candles. For most people this will start by investing in a scented candle kit which contains everything you need to get started. However when all is said and done the aroma is the most crucial part of any scented candle. Some kits contain man-made fragrances. The best course of action is to get natural perfumes similar to those used by luxury candle makers. In specialized outlets you can select essential oils for use in creating your own fragrant candles. There is a wide variety of sweet smelling perfumes such as lavender, sandalwood or cinammon to mention only a few. These oils, which dissolve in paraffin, are to be found in small bottles or droppers. Some of them, for instance citronella, are suitable for warding off mosquitoes or other pesky critters, which is very good for summer dinners outside. Other useful ways of adding natural fragrances to your home made scented candles are by using items such as dried flowers, herbs or dried citrus peel. If you dice these very finely they can be left to infuse in warmwax for about 40 minutes, which is sufficient time to discover that they will have infused the wax with delicate, realistic fragrance. We would then suggest that they are extracted from the wax. If you leave any solid items in the finished candle there is the possibility that they might spark when the candle is alight  or alternatively that they might burn, giving off an unacceptable quantity of soot. As well as the foregoing methods of creating aromas for your homemade candles, which are similar to the methods employed by luxury candle makers like True Grace candles and Yankee candles, there are two other shortcuts you can take, if you do not have time to make your scented candles from scratch:



You could add your chosen essential oil to the molten wax at a dose of about 3-5%. You have to mix well so that the essence is spread uniformly. You can also dip the wick into the softened wax for about 20 minutes. This results in the perfume being emitted more quickly - in fact just as soon as the wick is lit, though the scent is not long lasting.



For the speediest technique of introducing fragrance in your candles all you need to do is light the wick and wait for the top layer of wax to become liquid. Then all that's necessary is to place a few drops of oil around the lighted wick. Although this will give you a very pungent initial aroma  it doesn't last that long because the ouil is not mixed throughout the candle.






The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store which specialises in home fragrances including scented candles by brands such as Yankee candles

Getting The Best Scented Candles

Fragrant candles are available in a veritable array of different styles,


colours and fragrances nowadays , so there should never be a time when you cannot find something that meets your needs. Candles are to be found in a range of scents including the familiar , such as rose or cinnamon, or perhaps even


something a bit more off the wall such as orange blossom. Then there are the truly


wild and wacky aromas made by some luxury scented candle makers - such as


companies like True Grace and Yankee candles to name but two


- for instance, Asian Pear Bellini. In the extremely unlikely event,


however,that you are still having a problem exactly what you want in terms of scented


candles then there is one further choice available - you could make your own!


Making scented candles is an extremely popular hobby these days and many people spend


hours each week carefully making fragrant candles to their exact requirements,


and then enjoying them at their leisure at home . Essentially there are three methods of creating   your own scented andles and none of them are difficult to do . You might want to purchase a scented candle making kit, which will contain just about everything you need to get started . All you then need to do is to


select the fragrance , design and colour you want, follow the instructions and very


soon you will have your first individually designed scented vandle. Alternatively, if you


already have some scented


candles around the home you will already know that you should never burn them


right down. It is recommended that you stop burning jar candles when there is about a quarter of an inch of wax remaining. You will always be left with wax which remains in the bottom of the jar . Save up a few of


these used candles - in the same fragrance, of course - and then mix this together so that you have enough to create a new candle. Melt the wax, pour


it in your chosen container and there you have it. The beauty with this


method is that if you   are using leftover wax from expensive candles ,


your own home made version will share the same quality of wax and essential


fragrance oils as the original, which means that while it may not look quite as


refined as the candles you originally bought, the quality should be reasonably


comparable.  Just imagine, your own handmade candles with the same lovely fragrance as candles by Yankee candles or True Grace candles. The final way in which you can make your own candles is to go to a craft


shop and buy all the necessary bits and pieces separately. You can pick from a large array of waxes such as paraffin wax or beeswax, as well


as a full range of colours and fragrancing oils or extracts. This is probably


the most complicated way of making your own candles but it does allow you the


greatest choice. You will be able to come up with a candle which is truly unique


and your own.





The author is owner of the Scented Candle Store which supplies a range of home fragrances including scented candles by makes such as Yankee candles

There Is More To Wax Than Making Scented Candles

Marble is a very good looking and important stone and one that is just as appropriate for use in the home as in the commercial environment. If you want your marble to last as long as some of those ancient statues you will need to keep it clean. The first thing you should learn about this rock


is that it is very porous, meaning that it is susceptible to dirt and stains easily. That  said, it is ordinarliy quite straightforward to remove stains from marble as long as you attend to them a soon as possible. The usual technique of cleaning marble


is very easy. Simply clean the surface using a sponge or


cloth which you have first of all saturated with water and a mild detergent. Obviously, if the stains


are a bit more difficult to get rid of, you will have follow a different method of cleaning. If the


marble has gone a bit yellowish, then you should gently scrub the


surface using a soft brush soaked in water and vinegar. Likewise, rust


marks on a marble floor can be removed using water and lemon juice mixed


together. If you try anything acidic in an effort to to get rid of a stain, you


must rememberthat they are corrosive on stone and, therefore you will require to take sensible precautions. Otherwise, the stone can suffer irreparable damage.


To prevent harm to the surface, rub it gentle with the solution for a few


minutes and then remove it totally with soap and water. If this does not get rid of the stains, repeat the procedure but don't leave the solution


on the surface for more than a couple of minutes. As marble is very


porous, it absorbs any liquid very quickly and that's why it's a good


idea to apply a layer of wax to the surface. Now, this is a different type of wax altogether from the waxes that businesses like true grace candles and yankee candles use to make their scented candles.


The wax helps to cover the pores and the surface becomes smoother so that cleaning becomes an easiet task. However, once you have repeated this procedure a few times, the marble can end up looking yellowish. Should this occur you should remove all the wax using a product suitable for this


task. After removing the wax, give the marble a good clean with soapy water and then


apply a new fresh layer of wax if you wish. Marble will keep looking its best if you follow some simple advice. You should always


clean marble surfaces using a sponge soaked in soapy water. After


washing make sure you rinse the surface thoroughly to get rid of any soap before drying the marble surface carefully. Avoid the overuse of lemon and


vinegar. Don't use abrasive surface cleaners and never be tempted to mix bleach with


ammonia as this solution is highly toxic. If the marble has got a


cigarette burn, the stain will not be capable of being removed. The only possible solution


is to polish the surface until the mark eventually disappears. The best best piece of equipment for this task is a brush. Using a sponge is only suitable when the stains


are easily removed. As long as you follow this simple advice, the marble


you have at home will keep its shiny, attractive appearance and will be


in perfect condition.












The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store supplying a range of luxury scented candles, including Yankee candles from the USA

Fill Your Home With Fragrance With De Luxe Scented Candles

We all know   just how important it is to have our home looking nice


but it is equally important  to make sure it smells good too. No one


likes to come home to a house which has a musty, stale smell . As a


result, an enormous industry  has grown up in recent years producing home


fragrance products. In days gone by, your main choices when you came to


pick up some home fragrances at the supermarket were either a tin of


euphemistically entitled air freshener or else a plug in air freshener.


Both of these products shared one thing in common . More often than not


they smelled simply distusting. All they were designed to do was to


blanket any odours with another smell, which was supposed to be more


acceptable. These products were not good to smell nor did they have any


aesthetic appeal either .



Things have thankfully changed dramatically since then , thanks to home fragrance companies such as true grace candles and yankee candles, so that if you are looking to give your home a fragrance makeover today you can choose from beautiful products such as scented candles,


fragrance diffusers - sometimes called reed diffusers or simply scented


reeds - as well as incense sticks, oil evaporators and the lastest


addition to the home fragrance lineup - room sprays or mists. Room


sprays are a perfect way of giving a room a quick blast of pleasant


fragrance , for instance, when you have just lit a candle and are waiting


for it to start working. In both appearance and style room sprays are


very like a perfume for the home. They come in similar style bottles


with a spray atomiser which enables you to direct the fragrance exactly


where you want it. Many companies like True Grace candles and Yankee candles make these products so they are easy to come by.



All these products have one difference from


old fashioned home fragrances. Where the disgusting smelling air


freshener or plug in would have been manufactured using synthetic


fragrance compounds - which explained why they were not that nice to


smell - modern luxury scented candles, reed diffusers and room sprays


are made with the use of the finest ingredients. In particular, these products


derive theit aroma from essential plant oils and extracts, instead of


from something synthetic . When you think that these are the same


ingredients that perfume companies in France and


elsewhere have used to make their products for many years , you can see


just what a superior product you will receive when you insist on


luxury home fragrances rather than the cheap mass produced products which are avaiable in


dollar stores and supermakets. True, they will cost you more but,


just like fine perfumes and colognes, they are artisan products made with real care


and expertise and will give you long lasting true to life fragrances


that you simply cannot get from the cheaper alternatives.












The author is owner of the Scented Candle Store, which supplies a wide range of home fragrances, including scented candles by companies like True Grace candles and Yankee candles