Candlelight has been used to light the dark for centuries, but they do come in handy in other ways you might not have thought about.
1. Calming Aid
Do you have a tendency to associate places with experiences? Now that many of us are working from home, we might associate our home workspaces with stress. To counter these negative associations flooding our view of the home, lighting scented candles can create a lovely calming effect, allowing us to relieve any feelings of tension and focus on our work. Of course, this only works with scents that appeal to you. If you have trouble finding a scented candle to your liking, you can consider making your own candles, which are relatively simple and can become a wonderful family activity.
2. Mosquito Repellent
Mosquito sprays are good at keeping pesky mosquitoes at bay, but so can citronella candles. If you’re making your own candle, simply add lemongrass-scented essential oil, which contains citronella. Do note, though, that the effectiveness depends on the amount of citronella present in your candle, and that these candles may not work as well as other devices that have been scientifically designed to repel mosquitoes.
3. Cutting an Onion Without Crying
Did you know that you can avoid the waterworks while cutting an onion simply by lighting a candle nearby? Cutting an onion releases gases that turn into sulphuric acid when they interact with the moisture on the surface of your eyeballs, resulting in that characteristic sting. The heat from a flame helps draws the gases away from you through convection. Burning a scented candle after cooking also helps to remove any lingering odours in the kitchen.
4. Waterproofing Items
It may not have occurred to you, but the fundamental ingredient of a candle — wax — is waterproof. Thanks to its properties, candle wax can be used to waterproof just about anything. This includes your shoes, your backpack (or anything made of canvas), paper, and the list goes on. Simply rub some wax on whatever you’re trying to waterproof, and use a heat source (like a hairdryer) to melt the wax so it binds to the material. You can even rub a candle over written text, such as the address on an envelope you’ve written, to ensure it doesn’t get accidentally smudged by water.
5. Writing Secret Messages
A great rainy weekend activity with the kids is using a candle to write a secret message. Not really practical use of a candle, but it is fun! All you need is some white candle wax, a piece of paper to compose the message, and some watercolour paint to reveal it. To begin, write your message on the paper using the candle. Of course, all you’d see is the blank piece of paper. That is until you brush some watercolour paint over the paper — because wax is waterproof, the paint will only stain the parts of the paper that hasn’t been covered with wax. This technique can also be used to create beautiful art pieces too!
Further Reading
With so many ways to use a candle, you might be inspired to buy some during your next shopping trip. But why not try your hand at making them? Check out the books below for easy-to-follow steps and you’ll soon have a stash of uniquely scented candles to enjoy or present as personalised gifts to your friends and family.
- Candle making basics: all the skills and tools you need to get started by Scott Ham, 2018
- The scented candle workshop: creating perfect home fragrance, from wax to wick by Niko Dafkos, 2019
- Candle making like a pro: a complete guide on how to make perfect candles at home for fun & profit by Vanessa D. Langton, 2015
If candle making isn't your thing, but you're looking for more craft fun, then check out the craft eMagazines available on our Libby App.