To visit our library of over 750 articles on home improvement, please click:
Home Improvement

Your Candles Are Killing You and Your Furniture - Substitute It!

Even though most of the houses are well lighted with electric powered lights, we can't escape using candles at home. Whether it is for a romantic candlelit dinner, for festive season such as Deepavali or Christmas or as back up when electricity cuts off, we know that candles are useful for every household. What we don't know is that candles are a common unrecognized cause of poor indoor air quality.

To be specific, the ingredient used to produce candles such as paraffin contains a host of toxin. This makes candles the major cause of black soot deposition, which damages home interiors, not to mention skin and lungs. Other dangerous ingredients in candles are lead wicks, synthetic scents and colorants.

Solution? Always go back to the nature! Try natural wax such as beeswax, soy, bayberry and palm. There are many goodness in beeswax which is derived from flowers and bees. It is nontoxic, naturally aromatic (Hey! After all, its from the flowers!) and when burned emits beneficial negative ions that actually help purify the air.

Michele Lum (michele@ideastoenhancehome.com) is the founder and CEO of Ideas To Enhance Home, a site where you can get free tips and ideas on how to enhance your home for better life in health, business, romance, children and security just by placing interesting home decors and setting up simple systems.

RELATED ARTICLES

Helpful Kitchen Remodeling Ideas
Functionality and aesthetics are the two main objectives of any kitchen remodeling plan. A kitchen must provide an efficient working place, even while it looks good.

Hammocks Create a Stress Free Zone
Stress is all around us, from the office to the front yard and everywhere in between. Homeowners are buying hammocks and porch swings to create that stress free zone they need to unwind after a busy day. All hammocks and porch swings are not created equal. A hammock can come with a stand for easy set up anywhere such as at poolside or by a lake; or others are hung between trees or from a ceiling. You will have to decide what type and style you want as there are so many sizes and types available. You might also want a chair style that can be hung from the ceiling. There are different sizes available in these as well. These are especially nice if you live in an apartment or townhouse. A hammock and swing are great sources of leisure for any backyard or porch. Combine a quality hammock with all of your other patio furniture and create a getaway in your very own backyard that rivals any trip to the islands. Hammock stands can be placed anywhere in your backyard to create the perfect oasis setting.

Choosing a Vinyl Replacement Window Contractor
Whenever I write an article, it's usually tailored to the do-it-yourself homeowner to help them save some money on the high cost of labor these days. This article is for the "not so handy" homeowner who wants to have new vinyl windows installed in their home. So, where do you begin? Well, the first step is to get estimates. You should always get 3 estimates. Keep in mind that the price you are quoted doesn't necessarily reflect the quality of the product. For example, I used to wear the hat of Owner, Salesman, and Installer. So, when I would give an estimate, my only markup would be to pay my salary. On the other extreme, some companies have an inside sales staff who do telemarketing as well as mail solicitation. These people set up in-home estimates. Then, there is an outside sales staff who visit the customer for an in-home estimate. If the customer signs a contract, there is another employee who measures your windows. Then, the installation crew comes out and actually installs your windows. In many cases, you never even see or talk to the owner. Now, imagine if this company, let's call them shears, was selling the exact same window that I was selling. After you got both estimates, you might be inclined to think that my product must be inferior if I'm able to sell it so much cheaper. The reality is, it's cheaper because I pay two salaries; my salary and my other installer's salary. The other owner has to pay his own salary plus Inside sales, outside sales, field measurer, and installation crew.

Kitchen Remodeling Costs
It is important to prepare a budget for your kitchen remodeling plan before you start implementing it. Without a complete and detailed budget prepared before the kitchen renovation begins, you may get swept into a spending spiral of unbudgeted extras.

What To Look For In Persian Rugs
Selecting a Persian rug can be a daunting task for most people. There is a lot of misinformation out there as to what to look for. Let's face it, a good Persian rug can cost a lot of money, and most people will be hesitant to make a significant investment on something they know little about.

Easy To Follow Tips For Keeping Energy Costs Down
When it comes to cooling our homes and businesses, the cost of air conditioning just seems to keep going up and up. This year is no different. We like the cool comfort of dryer less humid air and we are willing to pay for it. However, there is no reason to just give your money away to the utility company. Older homes are typically thought of as energy wasters. However, newer homes from the 70's and later also have issues when it comes to energy efficiency. More often than not there are mature trees surrounding the older homes. New construction generally stands in a flattened area with new landscaping. If you have ever lived in this new construction, you know immediately that there is a difference in the temperature of your rooms because there is no shade. Check the thermal envelope of the home. If you are asking what a thermal envelope is, it is everything that protects the indoors of the home from the elements and the outdoors. This includes the wall and roof assemblies, insulation, air/vapor retarders, windows, weather stripping and caulking. If you are considering buying a home or you just need to remodel and improve your existing home, know as much as you can about the shell and what is protecting you and you will be ahead of the game when it comes to lowering utility costs. There are some common sense things you can do to cut your energy costs and keep your homes and businesses cool at the same time.

The Bathroom - The Forgotten Area Of Your Home?
The bathroom in your home is the one room that has undergone a complete transformation in the past several years. A transformation that is as far as how it is defined. Kitchens are to cook and eat in, living rooms are still for living and entertaining in and the garage still holds vehicles and junk (not to mention lot's of tools). But the bathroom has evolved so far beyond its traditional functions that to truly reflect its current status in many homes, "spa room" or the "retreat" might be more appropriate names for it.

Measuring For Your Vinyl Replacement Windows
Let's say you're tired of those old wood windows, and you decide it's time to upgrade to vinyl replacement windows. You get 2 or 3 contractors to come out and give you an estimate. After they leave, you can't believe windows can cost so much. I mean, having to get financing to replace your windows just doesn't seem right. Let me explain to you why the windows are so expensive. You have to pay the salary of the salesman who comes over to give you your "free" estimate. Then, you have to pay the salary of the installers. Finally, you have to pay the owner of the company. In some cases there is a broker who acts as a middleman, and he or she gets a cut too. No wonder you need financing!

Vacation Break for Electrical Machines
Are you overloaded? Have you become a part of the highly stressed modern working environment? You may need a break - a vacation, a change in environment, a change of pace...

3 Kinds Of Wood Used In Real Wood Furniture
Real wood furniture is the most popular furniture in existence. It's been around for hundreds of years and probably existed when the cave people got tired of squatting on the dirt floor of their caves and looked around for a better way.

Family Fun ? Is Swimming In A Safe Pool
Family fun is one of the most important things you can strive for to give your children some lasting memories they will always cherish; even into adulthood. Your children will always remember the times you spent together as a family on vacation or at home. If you are fortunate enough to own a swimming pool, you are well on your way to giving the kids fun family memories. The kids will be able to invite their friends and this way you know where they are; enjoying the water right under your supervision. Purchasing a pool for swimming has one important thing to consider. They can be dangerous if the proper pool safety is not adhered to. Indeed; there are laws and city ordinances that must be adhered to if you are to have a pool in the backyard. Here are some things to consider if you choose to own a pool for your home and family:

Home Remodeling Business
Need for home remodeling

Seven Essential Color Concepts for Designing Spaces
Understanding a few essential color concepts will help you design your living and work spaces more purposefully. Embrace the colors that work best for your specific activity and emotional support. Here are seven Design Psychology color basics:

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.

Choosing Your Builder: Cheapest Quote Wins?
You have your 3 quotes from each potential builder so choosing the one you are going to trust with your re-modelling, new garage, extension etc. should be easy, shouldn't it? Unfortunately most homeowners would consider this the end of their search for a builder when in fact what you should be doing next is the second most important if your home improvement project is to run smoothly (what's the most important? You will find the answer at the end of this article).

Five Easy Ways to Give Your Kitchen Designer Wow!
A beautiful kitchen is the heart of any home (even for those of us who spend most of our cooking time around the microwave!) Time spent together in the kitchen can bring a family closer together and make wonderful memories (although my own memories of doing dishes as a teenager are less than pleasant - something about dishwater being *disgusting!*) Turning your plain kitchen into something special isn*t as hard as you might think. Here are a few simple ideas which can make your kitchen a designer showcase.

Create a Joyful Home with Living Accessories: Houseplants
Houseplants can be soothing because of their visual impact. Besides being naturally appealing, interior plants can make you feel cooler on hot days, especially when they move softly in the breeze from a ceiling fan.

Guide to Bathroom Design
The first step is to plan the design ? as with kitchens, your local supplier will run off a computer-generated plan based on the room's dimensions and your particular requirements.

Cork Flooring Is The Best Option Around For Durability And Aesthetic Value
It is inevitable, almost everyone no matter how long they have lived in their house, wants to replace their flooring at some point. Do you have carpet that is covered in pet stains, juice, coffee or wine stains? Carpet gets matted down and shows wear patterns quickly. Alternatively, maybe you have hardwood floors that are full of scratches and dents. Linoleum that is peeling up at the edges and seams and has rips and tears in it.

Why Are There So Many Different Light Bulbs?
There are many different types of light bulbs. Each has its own uses and requirements. Some can save you some extra money because they are energy efficient. There are also many different brands. You can also often find discount light bulbs to save some money. Learning the differences will help you choose what is right for you.

Discount Flights - Discount Flights and Hotels

Cheap Car Insurance - A Guide to Buying Cheaper Car Insurance Online

Cheap Car Loans - Get a cheaper car loan by applying online

Advice Bureau - A Guide to Managing your Personal Finance

Property Handbook | Home Improvement | Home Improvement site map

mortgage calculator | cheap car loans | broadband providers