Do you love to burn scented candles? Chances are you are one of the millions who do or you know someone who does!

You know you can get candles at your local Dollar Store but you may want to ask yourself if you would rather pay more for a candle and have some guarantee of what exactly your candle is made.

When you look for a candle, here are some qualities to consider:

Scent:

Do you like the scent? There are so many scents to choose from. Make sure you find one you absolutely love!

Will the scent last to the bottom of the jar or will it dissipate after a couple of burnings? A candle made with good - quality oils or perfumes whether natural or synthetic will have scents that last from the top of the jar to the last flicker of the candle.

Will the scent have 'throw'? Meaning will the scent permeate the room as the candle burns?

What ingredients make up the scent? Did the manufacturer use quality perfumes? Are they natural scents or synthetic?

These are questions that you may want to ask before you purchase your next candle.

Wicks:

Look for a wick made from 100% cotton and avoid any with lead or other metals. If you can, find out from the candle manufacturer what the wick is made of.

Waxes:

Many candle companies are making candles with natural plant-based waxes including soy and beeswax. These candles burn 'cleaner' than traditional candles made with paraffin.

You will notice with nautral wax candles that the container you burn these candles in will not be lined with a black film after burning. In the long run, you will notice that your walls are cleaner too. If you burn candles a lot, and they haven't been natural wax candles, you may have noticed that when you took a picture off the wall that there was an area under the spot where the picture was removed that was cleaner than the surrounding wall. Yes, the black on the walls in the other areas, could have been caused by traditionally made candles.

Also consider that you and your family may have been breathing in some unhealthy particles too!

Burn-Time:

There are many factors which affect how long a candle will burn once it is lit but in general all other factors being equal, the natural wax candles will burn longer than traditional paraffin candles.

The length of the wick is very important for candle safety and is a big factor in how long a candle burns. With natural-wax candles the wick should be trimmed to 1/4" before it is lit. This will ensure an even burning and a longer lasting candle.

Avoid burning a candle in a draft to make it last longer and also do not burn it under a ceiling fan.

In summary, scented candles help set a mood for fun and romance and can add warmth and coziness to your home.

Enjoy the candles you choose and burn them in good health!

I hope this article will help you make an informed decision and buy from a reputable candle maker the next time you are in the market for a candle to pamper your senses or those of a friend.

---------------------- For more helpul information on this and other topics visit http://www.homebizrecipes.com. Free newsletter available. To contact the author, Lorraine Peltier, visit her website at http://www.gourmetcandlebiz.com. Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as this resource information is included.