Tuesday, 30 August 2011

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

Monday, 29 August 2011

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

Monday, 22 August 2011

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 60ยบ(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

Thursday, 18 August 2011

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