CasaSugar

How-To: Remove Candle Wax

CasaSugar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 05:30:00 -0800

There's nothing more romantic than a candlelit dinner, but waking up to a table covered in wax is no picnic. Before you reach for a razorblade that will scratch up your gorgeous dining table, or even think about tossing your tablecloth in the washer, I have some tips for safely and easily removing that candle wax. If the wax has dripped onto a hard surface like a metal, wooden, or glass table, use a blow dryer to melt the wax. As it liquefies, wipe up the melted max with a paper towel or a cotton rag. To hear how to remove wax from your table linens, read more.

Begin by scratching away as much of the wax as you can with a dull knife. Don't pick too hard if you have delicate linens.
Now, lay a piece of newspaper or kraft paper down on your ironing board. Set the waxy portion of your tablecloth on top of that, and then lay down another piece of paper. You can also use a piece of brown paper bag (i.e. lunch bag) for this.
Turn your iron on low-medium and slowly iron over the paper. The paper should absorb the wax as it liquefies. Lift up the paper to check that it's working, and increase the heat and replace the newspaper or kraft paper if necessary.
Next, wash your linens or have them dry cleaned.

Casa Quickie: Sticky Drawers

CasaSugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:30:24 -0800

Aging isn't an easy thing to do. For antiques, the phrase "things get better with age" is nearly always true when it comes to aesthetics and market value. But sometimes they do need a little love to get their groove back. When it comes to a chest or bureau with sticky drawers that no longer slide open and closed easily, did you know that the antiaging remedy is as simple and household-ready as a candlestick? Just pull out the chest drawers and grab a piece of wax or an old candlestick that's down to its last legs. Rub the wax along the tracks where the grooves of the drawers will run. Now, put each drawer back, and they should slide in smoothly.

Casa Quickie: Cleaning Votive Holders

CasaSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:00:27 -0700

One of the most effortless ways to bring Summer style to your home is to set basic votives at your outdoor dining table or around any outdoor space. But melted wax gets messy, and trying to scrape your candle from your votive holder is never a fun task. So I was delighted to learn a helpful trick from Martha Stewart for cleaning votive holders. Just put your votive holder into the freezer for a couple hours, and then the votive will shrink and pop right out. No mess. No fuss.

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How-To: Rid Your Candle Holders of Wax

CasaSugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:00:00 -0700

I recently hosted a dinner party lit by dozens of candles, from votive holders on the coffee table to candlesticks in the dining room. Part of cleaning up after a candlelit soiree involves getting rid of all that wax. Thankfully I've learned a few tricks and tips over the years to make it easier. Here are a few of my favorite wax-removing solutions.

Before placing a candle in a votive holder, fill it with 1/4 inch of water. This way the wax won't stick to the glass and will be easier to remove.
If you skip the water step, after the party, put your wax-coated candle holders in the freezer for a few hours. This will allow the wax to shrink so you can easily pop it out with a screwdriver or other tool.
If the frozen wax doesn't pop out right away, try placing the candle holder upside down while it returns to room temperature, then try again.

Get three more tips.

Casa Quickie: Banishing Candle Wax

CasaSugar — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 16:08:43 -0700

If you're like me, you've had a candle drip onto a wool rug or carpet a time or two. Luckily, my mom told me about an easy way to get wax out of carpets. Just place a folded paper towel over the wax and then press down on it with a warm iron (no steam) for about 10 seconds. The wax should lift up onto the paper towel. Then, just flip the paper over to a non-waxed spot on the paper towel, until you've lifted all of the wax up.

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How-To: Remove Contact Paper Adhesive

CasaSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:00:12 -0800

Remember how I covered my hideous linoleum floors with woodgrain contact paper? Well, while they looked fabulous, it came time to take them off. The contact paper itself was easy to remove, but as expected, a very tough adhesive residue was left. I tried literally everything to get rid of the sticky mess - WD40, Goo Gone, vinegar, Oops!, you name it - and searched far and wide on the Internet for tips to no avail. In the end, thanks to a tip from a friend, I was able to remove the residue. Want to know what the magic potion was?

DIY: Water Balloon Candle Holders

CasaSugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:00:21 -0700

I've been totally in love with Glassybaby candle holders for months now, but I can't bring myself to spend $40 on a small votive. So when I came across CandleTech's DIY for making water balloon luminaries with very much the same shape simply out of paraffin wax, I knew I'd found an affordable alternative. All you'll need for this project is high-melt paraffin wax, water balloons, a piece of paper, a double boiler, a cookie sheet, and perhaps a candy thermometer. To learn the steps, read more.

Here's how, from CandleTech:

Fill the balloon with lukewarm water.
Melt your wax on the double boiler, keeping the temperature around 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Use the candy thermometer if necessary to keep track of the temperature.
Dip the balloon into the wax just below the water level, holding it for a few seconds.
Lift it out of the wax and repeat several times, letting it dry for a few seconds in between.
Lay the paper on the cookie sheet. Then press the balloon while it's still warm on the paper to create a flat base.
Continue to dip the balloon in the wax until it is about 1/4" or 1/2" thick.
Let the balloon cool completely.
Take a knife, fork, or skewer are carefully pop the balloon over the sink.
Pull out and toss the pieces of balloon.
Warm up your cookie sheet.
Then, flatten the top of the candle holder but pressing it onto the warm cookie sheet until it's level.
Set a tea light inside, and light away!

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Casa Quickie: Shine Like the Top of the Chrysler Building

CasaSugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:00:07 -0700

In the classic musical Annie there's a great line imitating Miss Hannigan during the "Hard-Knock Life" number that I always think of when I'm mopping the house:"You'll stay up until this floor shines like the top of the Chrysler Building." The image of how that landmark sparkles in the skyline is actually a great motivator for me. But, sadly, the plot, which involves the hard labor of orphans, isn't the nicest thing. But, it turns out that there is a trick to making your floors sparkle just so, and it has nothing to do with child labor or actually mopping.

To find out the trick, read more.
After you've swept your floors with a broom, put a piece of wax paper underneath a mop and run it across your floor. The dust that remains on the floor will stick to the paper, and the wax will give it a brilliant glow. Of course, you should actually mop your floors with soap and water every once in a while, but this is a quick fix.
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November's Architectural Digest Features Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch

CasaSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:00 -0700

If you've ever wanted to see the interiors of Michael Jackson's infamous Neverland Ranch, you can put your curiosity to rest. The November issue of Architectural Digest features two stories about Jackson and his sprawling 2,700-acre Santa Ynez Valley, CA, estate. Inside are many rare photos and a personal story recalled by photographer Harry Benson who visited and photographed Jackson at the estate over the years.

I was intrigued to learn that the icon kept most of the furniture and interiors just as they were when he bought the property from real estate developer William Bone in 1988. I'm also surprised at how dark the interiors are; I expected more color from the much-talked-about "fantasy land." Although, Jackson's playful décor, like his Peter Pan sculpture, more than makes up for that.

Get a sneak peek inside Neverland Ranch and at some portraits of Jackson, and read some memorable quotes when you read more!

View 4 Photos ›

Here are a few quotes from Benson:

Michael took me into the rehearsal studio where he had refined the moonwalk. He told me he often brought Prince there to watch him practice in front of the mirrored wall and said they would dance together someday. I was convinced that was going to be the next act.

One could see how Neverland could take Michael’s mind off all his worries and transport him from the reality of his stressful life. He had everything he wanted there.

Standing outside his bedroom was a wax figure of a queen’s Household Calvary guard. The bedroom itself was dark and quite plain, in tones of beige and brown, and, to be honest, a bit depressing.

Pick up your copy on newsstands today, and be sure to check out these other exclusive online photos.

Casa Capsule: The Week That Was

CasaSugar — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 10:30:09 -0700

Converted barns are the latest trend.
Learn to rid your candleholders of wax.
Meet the new CasaSugar community!
Yves Saint Laurent's villa is on the market.
These Etsy finds are all you need to create a Twilight-inspired home.
Decorate on the cheap with pretty plates.

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