Use Home Fragrances To Give Your Home A Warm Welcoming Fragrance

Evewrybody is keen to keep our homes   in the best possible light. Despite the fact that it may seem peculiar at first glance the way our home smells can often be important too. At the end of the day why go to all the trouble of getting your home beautifully decorated if the overall effect is ruined by some persistent smell that you cannnot quite locate. If you are confronted by lingering, persistent odours in the home there are a few tried and tested remedies you can use in an effort to get rid of them

First things first - make an effort to keep rooms clean and organized. Who know what may be hidden under that pile of magazines that has been sitting undisturbed in the corner for ages . Take some time to de-clutter and, of course, make sure you vacuum and polish often. If you have pets in the house they need to be bathed regularly and their beds or litters should also be kept clean. One of the easiest ways in which to overcome odours is to keep your home well ventilated. Open your windows whenver weather conditions allow to let some fresh air in. This alone can effectively combat that dank lived-in smell. Provided you are not affected by hay fever, try to make the most of the better weather in summer by letting some fresh air in. Put simply it helps make everything appear so much brighter and fresher.

Home fragrances like scented candles are also worth trying out. By this, we do not mean those foul smelling air fresheners or artificial plug ins which were used extensively in the Seventies, but more natural products such as incense sticks, scented candles or scented reeds. When it comes to selecting home fragrances it is probably advisable to go for the best quality products you can buy, like scented candles made by luxury brands such as True Grace candles and Yankee candles. These manufacturers craft their products using essential plant oils meaning they afford your home a fresh, natural fragrance. There is a plethora of different fragrances available so give several a try until you find one that you prefer.

The two rooms in the home that that are most susceptible to lingering smells are the kitchen and the bathroom. Give your kitchen or bathroom work surfaces the once over by using the tried and trusted old favourite of vinegar, which you can also blend with bicarbonate of soda. In fact vinegar combined with baking soda is a powerful freshener for a few different parts of the home. It can be utilised on drains, washboards and draining boards, not to mention on a whole host of kitchen and bathroom surfaces, including the internal parts of the fridge.

To conclude, a simple but effective way to give your living space a homely, comfortable fragrance is by cooking up a pot of good quality coffee. As the coffee perclolates, it will fill your home with its divine fragrance, masking any foul smells. So there you have it - four or five inexpensive, natural ways to keep your home smelling good - and no need to call on the bottle of bleach hidden away in the cupboard under the sink!



The author is owner of the Scented Candle Store which supplies a range of luxury home fragrances including True Grace candles and Yankee candles

Enjoy Your Barbeque This Summer

It's summer, and who doesn´t feel like than dining outdoors ? A barbecue is a great way of spending  time with friends on those hot summer nights  near the pool or in your garden. With a litle care and planning you can ensure that your event is truly successful.






The choice of food we buy will naturally be extremely important , because our guests will have different tastes and preferences. It is best to stock a wide selection of meats and fish  so you can be sure there is something for everyone. Easy to cook  cuts like chicken breasts and pork cutlets are always a good choice. They cook quickly  and are receptive to any number  of flavourings or marinades. Fish, too, is extremely easy to cook on a barbeque. If you are cooking whole fish, put some sliced onions and lemons in the belly cavity and make sure you use a special fish holder which will make turning the fish over much easier. And when you are thinking about food, please do not forget the vegetarians among you. There is a tendency to regard  barbeques as something exclusively for carnivores but it is possible to  make delicious vegetable based meals on the grill. Vegetable brochettes or kebabs are always popular while Mediterranean vegetables such as aubergines and peppers also work really well once grilled .






The choice of drinks is also very important,  because they usually have a large bearing on  the success of your event. Try to make sure you have a selection of wines, beers and of course non alcoholic drinks for the designated drivers. If the weather is hot, plenty of ice is also a necessity. One clever way of keeping a large amount of drinks chilled is to fill a common-or-garden waste bin full of ice and keep your white wines and beers in that. Not only does it keep your drinks cool, it also makes a great talking point for guests. When it comes to wines, everyone has their own preferences , but Spanish wines seem to work well with grilled food. One wine that can be highly recommended is the Spanish red "Ribera del Duero". As far as white wines are concerned, you can't go wrong with one from Rueda in southern Spain.






The atmosphere that you achieve for your special occasion will have much to do with the lighting you choose . The idea is to illuminate  the garden or area where you are hosting  your barbeque with scented outdoor candles. Luxury scented candles in glass jars like  those made by companies  such as True Grace candles and Yankee candles look great  twinkling  away in the twilight , especially  those giving off a citronella fragrance. You could place a row of different coloured candles along a wall to make a nice display or else use candles to pick out the border of a pool or pathway in your garden. This looks especially striking after dark. Scented candles are really delightful to smell, but if you choose citronella candles they have an added benefit  in that they are renowned  for their ability to ward off annoying  mosquitoes, flies and other bugs which are unfortunately very much present  on hot summer nights and which can make an al fresco event a misery for some. Other fragrances  which have been shown to be effective against bugs are eucalyptus and bog myrtle. Paddywax candles, a luxury brand from the USA, makes a lovely eucalyptus scented candle, mixed with the fragrance of olive wood, but I have yet to come across a bog myrtle scented candle. Whatever  food, wine or candles you choose, enjoy your summer evenings in the garden!




The author is owner of the Scented Candle Store where you will find a wide range of home fragrances, including Yankee candles and True Grace candles

The Safe Use Of Scented Candles Outdoors

Scented candles are very  popular  these days  as a home accessory . They come  in such a vast  selection  of colours, as well as different shapes and sizes, meaning  that it is usually  pretty easy  to find  a candle to match or compliment the decorative effect you are looking to create in  your home. But did you know  that you can also use scented candles outdoors ? Scented candles are a great  way of decorating a table for a barbeque or for an al fresco dinner during the better weather in summer . You can also decorative your garden by using scented candles. For example , if you have a garden wall then a few scented candles dotted along  the top of it will look great , especially  when the sunlight starts to go down . Another terrific idea is to dot  scented candles around the edge  of pathways to light them up as daylight fades in the evening. Scented candles in jars or tins work best for these ideas , such as  the ones you will find from luxury brands  like  true grace candles or Yankee candles. One word of caution  - make sure to  sit your candles securely  on a level surface. Even outdoors  a candle, if knocked over, can pose a  fire hazard. Wherever possible , place  your candles on a heat resistant holder - such as  a coaster or place mat - ensuring  it is wide enough for the size of the candle. If you are using pillar candles rather than jar candles, then the same advice applies to placing them on a flat, secure surface but, in addition, the first time you light the candle, let it burn for a few hours at the very minimum so as to hollow out the edges of the candle. This creates a "well" which holds the molten wax, preventing spills.The next time you decide  to light the candle, try  to ensure  that the wick is of a decent  size - a height of two to three centimetres is ideal. If the wick of the candle is higher  than that, cut off  any surplus , so as to ensure  a cleaner, more even burn, with less risk of sparks or dirt or debris collecting in the candle. To put the candle out , if you do not have a special wick dipper, then  use a spoon. Dip the wick while still alight into the pool of the candle's own hot wax. This will extinguish  the flame with minimum  soot and leave the wick clean for the next time you use the  candle. Needless to say , the candle should never be exposed to high temperatures or rain . Always keep candles out of the reach of children and animals. While the  candle is alight , never move it from one place to another . Burning candles should never be left unattended.








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

The Healing Powers Of Scented Candles

Aromatherapy can be described  as a quasi-medical practice  on the ability  of various   fragrances  to stimulate the  mind and body   thereby promoting   recovery from illness  and a general sense of wellbeing. There are many people who believe strongly in aromatherapies attributes, along with other alternative medicines such as reiki and reflexology



Aromatherapy is based on  the use of essential oils which are extracted from plants and other botanicals . The oils are obtained by a process known as distillation. Essential oils are very powerful , so ytou do not need to use much to achieve your desired effect . They can be used alone in healing therapies and relaxation, where they are usually diluted with a neutral carrier oil, but are also used in the formulation of various products, from soaps to scented candles .



The majority of  scented candles which obtain  their scent  from essential oils are  manufactured  by luxury brands like True Grace candles or Yankee candles. Essential oils are costly , so manufacturers of cheaper candles use artificial   scents  in their products. When a scented candle containing essential oils burns, the the aroma of the oil   disperses  easily through the air, creating an atmosphere of peace and calm .



Certain aromas  have been demonstrated  by research to have particular  effects on the mind and body, so that when you are looking to achieve a particular result  you should pick  an appropriately scented candle. Some of the most common scents with their associated attributes are as follows:



• Citrus scented candles (orange and mandarin). They have a sweet, refreshing scent that helps lower blood pressure, tone the stomach and calm you down if under stress.



• Sandalwood scented candles. They have a subtle, warm scent that helps improve arthritis and respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis and colds.



• Pine scented candles. They have a light, fresh scent that relieves stress, muscle pain, sore throats, coughs, colds and rheumatism. The perfect time to light them is at the end of a hard working day.



• lavender scented candles. The scent of lavender is one of the most widely used fragrances in aromatherapy. It relieves all kinds of aches and pains, from headaches to fever. It is ideal to light a lavender candle when a child is sick.



• Candles with eucalyptus oil. Its aroma eases breathing, so it is used as an antiseptic for the respiratory tract.



• Mint scented candles. They have a fresh and exciting fragance. They are used to revitalize and refresh mind and body.



• Lemon scented candles. Its aroma is used to calm nerves, relieve headaches, stimulate thyroids and ward off insects.



As you will see from all this aromatherapy can convey many notabletherapeutic properties. Scented candles are a simple  and convenient method to enjoy these benefits in the home.








The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store where you will find a range of luxurious home fragrances, including Yankee candles and True Grace candles

Decorate Your Home With Scented Candles

Decorating  your home  with candles and home fragrances is a simple , yet elegant way  of giving your house a comfortable, warm  atmosphere. With the sheer abundance  of scented candles and accessories to choose  from, it can sometimes be a little difficult to know which type of candle is most suitable. Here  are a few  straightforward tips to get the best out of them. Don't forget  that candles can form part of our decor and, especially when you choose  luxury candles such as those  made by brands like True Grace candles and Yankee candles, they can be very pleasing to the eye , all on their own, with little or  no need for further embellishment. For example , if you choose  one of True Grace's beautiful scented candles from the "Village" collection, you will find  that it comes  in an extremely attractive etched glass jar. The jar itself is sufficiently striking  to allow it to be placed  on any table, shelf or mantelpiece, without the need  for any additional decoration. We can use candles of all colours and sizes and they can be used in different ways in different rooms. Put together candles of different heights for  better visual impact. As far as votive candles are concerned, light them in containers - either glass or crystal look attractive - for best results and safety . A more elaborate  arrangement can be made with multiple votives . Try  to arrange them  into groups of similar sizes and designs, to give your home a touch of romance. Place a floral arrangement or natural materials, such as perhaps  some  pine cones or seashells, around the base  of candle holders or candlesticks. These materials look best  with tall candlesticks. A large variety of floating candles in a glass bowl can be very attractive as a focal point for an evening party. To create this, first of all remove all plastic or flammable items near the bowl. The candles float because wax floats, and any candle wider than its height will float. Floating candles look best when there are several of them, preferably in different colours. At parties, christenings and weddings  use candles to decorate your table . Display your scented candles with appropriate accessories such as candle holders, bases or lamps. Alway remember to protect your furniture from any damage that may result from the melted wax, by sitting them on top of coasters. When it comes to choosing candle holders you have the luxury of picking from various materials such as bronze, glass, metal, chrome, ceramic and wrought iron. Wrought iron candle holders are more traditional in appearance and work best in a more conservatively decorated home, harking back to an old country house or castle. For something a little more unusual,  a bronze candle holder is a distinctive touch, adding a decorative and striking look  to any living space.


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

The Rebirth Of Scented Candles

If you have decided as part of your  New Year's resolutions to try  to live a more balanced, harmonious life , then perhaps  a good way to start  is to invest in a few candles. But surely candles are no longer fashionable or useful ? Well, despite the fact that you may have thought that the production  of candles would grind to a halt  after the introduction of mains electricity and, in particular, the lightbulb in the late twentieth century, the art of candle making has in fact continued and has recently experienced something of a renaissance, with many luxury candle making companies  coming to the fore , such as True Grace candles in England or Yankee candles in USA. These companies  create  their candles in the true artisan tradition, making their products by hand and paying great attention to detail in every aspect  of the creative process. They command \ receive  a premium price for their products  but if this is outwith your budget there are also a number of more industrial mass market candle makers operating who are able to supply   less expensive  alternatives. Candles are to be found in most  homes nowadays. To a degree  the use of candles is perhaps seen as a return to the kind of natural lighting used by our ancestors, a relaxing antidote to the pressures  of modern life, where the use of artificial lighting, in particular street lighting, has contributed to environmental pollution.

However, for all their new found popularity candles do not have  a functional role. They tend to be used these days as something attractive to decorate the home , as in the case of scented candles and other home fragrance items, or for their symbolic value. Sometimes, for example in religious ceremonies, they denote spirituality and mysticism, and sometimes celebrations. All acrossthe world, for instance, we all celebrate birthdays and other significant   days by blowing out candles on a cake. Candles can imbue you with a feeling of deep relaxation and tranquility, and can also give rise to moments of quiet and refection. Equally, the soft glow and flickering flame of your favourite scented candle can help create a romantic ambiance So don't leave your candles at the back of the cupboard - take them out, light them and enjoy their attractive  relaxing flame ! If you are using scented candles you will enjoy the best of both worlds. The lovely flame and beautiful colours of the waxes, combined with the fantastic aromas  they provide .








The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store where you will find a range of  luxury home fragrances, including True Grace candles and Yankee candles

A Brief Explanation Of Dry Carpet Cleaning

When you consider all the carpet cleaning methods out there  perhaps the the one that is most perplexing, particularly to the layman, is the method known as dry carpet cleaning. This technique is also sometimes called the absorbent compound carpet cleaning method. We should at this stage clarify one important point - dry carpet cleaning is not the same as dry cleaning for clothes. According to specialists Proclean Carpet Cleaning Glasgow dry carpet cleaning is generally recognised as having been invented by Racine Industries more than sixty yesars ago. Dry carpet cleaning involves vacuuming the carpet thoroughly, before applying applying a specially designed absorbent powder or microsponges containing controlled amounts of moisture and detegent to the carpet. The sponges contain a small, controlled amount of liquid which enables them to absorb any dirt in the carpet, before the now saturated powder is removed by a powerful extractor vacuum. One of the main advantages which dry carpet cleaning has over other techniques is that there is no need to wait for ages after cleaning for your floorcoverings to dry. In fact, because as a result of the small amounts of moisture employed with this cleaning method, your floorcoverings can usually be  back in use immediately after you have finished your cleaning job, with no with no waiting around interminably  while they dry out. As a consequence , dry carpet cleaning is especially valuable in cases where a lengthy drying time is really not practical, for instance for cleaning carpets and floorcoverings in a commercial environment. While this technique  is most useful  for use in offices and other work facilities, it is now much more popular for use for cleaning in people's homes. According to specialist contractors, Proclean Carpet Cleaning Glasgow , householders, just like commercial customers, do not want to have to put up with the inconvenience of wet carpets whenever they decide to have their carpets cleaned. Another signifuicant benefit of  dry carpet cleaning employing the Host system designed by Racine Industries is that it has been shown to make considerable improvements to the quality of air indoors by removing a sustantial amountof dust mites, pollen and other potentially harmful allergens.








The author is owner of Proclean Carpet Cleaning Glasgow which provides a range of specialist cleaning services, including domestic cleaning Glasgow