| |
| |
|
Home Improvement Information |
|
|
|
Get the Lead Out: Candle Wicks in the US
According to the National Candle Association (NCA), most US-manufactured candle wicking is made of cotton or cotton-paper combinations. Nearly 90% of the candles made in the United States (i.e. members of the association) use wicks that contain no lead. Generally, the metal you find in a US-made candle wick is either zinc or tin, which are known to be safe alternatives to lead. With increasing competition in the candle industry, many makers are celebrating the fact that they use no lead in their wicks, when in reality those NCA members voluntarily agreed more than 25 years ago to end the use of lead wicks! Further, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of lead wicks in all candles sold or manufactured in the US in 2003. The original idea behind using metal cored wicks was to provide more rigidity so that as a candle's wax pooled, the wick wouldn't slump over and drown out. Wick technology, as little as it's known, has improved dramatically in recent years. Usually a self-trimming cotton wick works just as effectively as any metal-cored wick. Today, metal cored wicks are used more frequently in smaller container-style candles, where a cooler burning wick is desired to prevent the container from developing heat fractures (cracking). Even so, if the container is appropriate for candles, the heat from a hotter burning cotton wick should pose no threat to the candle holder. Sadly, some foreign imports still slip through, although rarely.If a consumer is still worried, there is an easy way to test whether or not a candle is using a lead core wick. Take out your candles and rub a piece of plain white paper on the tip of an un-burnt candle's wick. If you see a faint grey mark - like that of a pencil, it is using a lead core. If you bought that candle recently in the US, contact your local EPA division. If the candle was made before 2003, dispose of them properly to protect your familly. Understanding the composition of your candles can go a long way toward using them safely and effectively throughout your home. Lisa Robbin is the Director of Product Development for the giving candle, the maker of Heavenly Gems resin-based clear candles. Lisa writes articles on all things candle related in an effort to educate consumers about making the most out of their candle purchases. You can email her directly at lisa@thegivingcandle.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Maintaining Your Hot Tub Purchasing a hot tub is a big investment and one that should not be taken lightly. Hot tubs cost thousands of dollars and if not maintained properly they can become ineffective within just a few months. The Best Way To Clean Carpet? What is the absolute best way to clean carpet? Carpet manufacturers are almost unanimous. The best way is to use hot-water extraction, also called steam cleaning. Planning Permission Tips UK - Trees and How They Can Affect Development when Applying for Planning Like most folk, I believe that more can be achieved in life by open & transparent negotiation - laying ones cards on the table for a reciprocal arrangement & courtesy. Unfortunately, like most things in life, there will be times when one side will try & gain the advantage at the detriment of the other party using this method. Refrigerators Electric Consumption - Lower It In 15 Minutes I recently had a customer ask for my advise about cleaning her refrigerator.I started to describe the pros and cons of different cleaners that can be used to clean the interior when she stopped me abruptly. Color Help: Color Theory and Design Psychology Color theory is an entire science unto itself, and to get a full picture of how it all works, I'd suggest picking up a few art books. In this article, however, we're going to take a brief look at the essentials of color theory, in light of the concepts of Design Psychology. In The Mood Creating a Designer Home With LightingTraditionally, spring is the time when many of us think about redecorating or remodelling a room in our home and we begin skimming through glossy magazines, or visiting showrooms for ideas. The results always look stunning, but how do you replicate 'that' look in your own home when your rooms are probably a fraction of the size of those featured in home interior publications? Even if you had the time, energy and resources to purchase exactly the same products that appear in a beautifully prepared photograph or showroom, somehow they never seem to look the same in your own home. Key Bathroom Remodeling Ideas One of the simplest ways to start planning your bathroom remodeling is to tour other bathrooms to get bathroom remodeling ideas. Pay attention to what you like and don't like. Painting and Decorating Tile Ceramic tile can be beautiful and elegant. But it can also be bland and uninspired. Would You Steel Your Household Appliances Would you steel your appliances? That is a question many consumers are now asking themselves.The "in" style -----------------------Stainless steel household appliances are the "in" style right now. Professional Asphalt Paving Contractors In California Choosing an asphalt paving contractor can be a major event if you don't take cautionary measures to ensure proper work to be conducted. First, you must review your service provider's credentials and make sure that they have a well known history of success in the asphalt paving industry. Things to Consider when Buying a Hot Tub or Jacuzzi Tub We recently purchased a new Hot Tub and Gazebo from Cal Spas in Minnesota. The purchase was not something we planned, just something that caught our eye when visiting the Minnesota State Fair. Cheap Interior Design Ideas Cheap interior design ideas come in many forms these days. From television shows to magazines, the industry is trying to teach the consumer how to design cheap. Home Inspection: A Doctor Visit for Your Home Has your house had a check up yet?Home inspection is like a visit to the doctor for your home. The home inspector will give your home a physical from top to bottom. Interconnects for Your Audio/Video System - Choosing The Proper Cables Research & DevelopmentI began designing audio and video interconnect cables in 1988. I was asked to develop custom interconnects for discriminating audio and videophiles, who wanted to see and hear the quality of their components and the source material without added personality from their interconnects. Hardwood Floors - 7 Tips For Selecting Perfect Flooring DESIGN STYLESWith thousands of colors and styles to select from today it can seem like a daunting task to make the right flooring choice. To narrow the field down it is recommended that you select a flooring style that complements your overall interior design style. How To Ward Off House Thief To most of us, security at home is very important. Ever experienced coming home one night and found your belongings scattered around? Or maybe you heard funny noises while you were sleeping and wondered if it was some thieves in your house? Would you like to worry less and enjoy your home better? Well, besides house alarm or sealing up your house with grills and locks, why not place an interesting home decor, which will help to ward off house thieves? Chinese culture believes that by placing umbrellas in the lobby or at the front of the house, your house can be prevented from being the thief's target. How to Troubleshoot Video Problems Few things can be as frustrating as picture problems. You get your system all ready to go, flip the switch, and WHAM! One or more channels look terrible. 3 Kinds Of Wood Used In Real Wood Furniture Real wood furniture is the most popular furniture inexistence. It's been around for hundreds of years andprobably existed when the cave people got tired of squattingon the dirt floor of their caves and looked around for abetter way. Kitchen Magic It's amazing -- some people manage to get a complete aerobic workout just while preparing dinner! Back and forth, back and forth -- I get tired just watching! Today, pay attention to the way you move while you cook. How many times do you cross the length of your kitchen in one evening? Do you find yourself doing squats to get at your pans? Stretches to reach your dishes? Are you becoming a world-class hurdler, jumping over the dog's dish every time you go from refrigerator to stove? All it takes is a few minutes to re-arrange your kitchen storage, saving you a lot of time and energy in the long run. 5 Reasons to Make Early Spring Firewood Time at Your Home As the weather hints of warmth and the spring buds appear on trees, firewood may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But early spring is the ideal time to buy or gather your firewood for your fireplace or woodstove.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2007 |
