7 Tips for Burning the Perfect CandleWritten by Chere Deshayes
7 Tips for Burning Perfect Candle Tapers, columns, votives, containers, pillars and novelty - chances are you have at least one of these types of candles in your home. Surveys done by candle manufacturers suggest that 7 out of 10 U.S households use candles, 96% of which are purchased by women. The basics for candles are easy, just light them! However, if you want to get most out of your candles and not watch your money go up in smoke (literally), here are seven tips to follow. 1. KEEP THE WICK TRIMMED One of best things that you can do for your candles is to keep wick trimmed to ¼ of an inch. Wicks that are allowed to get larger than ¼ of an inch tend to burn faster and smoke. If you are noticing black soot accumulating on your container candles, wick is too long. Nail clippers are a great tool for trimming wicks that can’t be reached with scissors. 2. AVOID DRAFTS Burning candles in drafty areas can cause uneven burning and excessive smoking. Not to mention that your candle will burn faster. If you notice flame of candle flickering in any direction other than straight up, there is a draft. Prevent drafts by keeping burning candles away from heating and air-conditioning vents and open windows. 3. REFRIGERATE THEM Candles that are cold will burn slower. To cool you candle, first wrap in foil or cling wrap to prevent wick from absorbing any moisture. Pop them in fridge for about an hour and light! Make sure you don’t put them in freezer instead. They will break!
| | Here's One Way to Identify a Good Real Estate Agent Written by Ron Scott
BETHESDA, MD - October 19, 2004 - As an experienced California real estate broker, you can imagine that I can be pretty jaded when it comes to home buying process. While finding right home at right price is of primary concern, I have always started process shopping for an agent willing to go extra mile. To that end I have a simple test I put prospective agents and brokers through that might help you next time you are looking for real estate brokerage services. To set stage, understand that I have been thinking about retirement now for several years and have narrowed my final resting place to two general areas: Bethesda MD and Scottsdale AZ. I started calling agents in Bethesda area early one morning and, from outset, made it very clear to everyone I spoke with that I had not yet committed myself to either destination. The first three calls generated predictable reactions. The agents, two men and one woman, upon learning that I was a “lookiloo” found a way to excuse themselves from conversation. Two tried to be delicate about it, one was abrupt. The latter encounter left me feeling like a telemarketer. My fourth call was taken by an inexperienced agent who, obviously working on her broker’s orders, insisted upon getting my social security number so she could pre-qualify me on spot. I ended that call myself. My search fortunately came to an end when I talked with Gretchen Koitz. It was obvious from outset that she was experienced. Instead of going for jugular as previous agents had done, she spent 45 minutes conversing with me and in doing so earned my trust and respect. As it turns out, her willingness to spend time talking with me is not a matter of having a lot of time on her hands. She is Director of New Agent Training at Long and Foster Bethesda Gateway Office, an office that she was proud to say had done over a billion dollars of volume each of last three years. That was impressive to me because most of firms I worked with in California thought it was time for celebration and extended vacation when they reached 10,000,000 mark.
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