I was listening to my own podcast (a rare thing, since I don’t edit them) about the Head Explosion Rule as I cleaned up the kitchen this morning.
So when I ran across that glass lid-thingy in the picture, and began to feel a physical, head-exploding sensation come over me, I knew just what to do.
I threw it in the trash.
It’s the lid to a candle that my 13yo bought for me for Christmas. I love the candle, but I’m really not one to put lids on candles.
I’m sure there’s a reason to put lids on candles, but I’ve never, in my 41 years of life, known what that reason was.
But knowing that someone in the world of candles knows of a really good reason (obviously, since they make the lids) that I don’t know made me think maybe there was a reason I should keep it.
Knowing there’s a reason + not being able to imagine what that reason is = head explosion.
If something causes my head to feel like it’s going to explode, I declutter it.
If you’re a candle expert, feel free to explain the reason. Not that it matters now, since it’s gone.
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--Nony
This made me laugh. I just threw out several of these lids. And I declutter the same way. I’ll see something over and over in a drawer or cabinet, and then one day, I just can’t take it anymore and it’s gone.
LOL…me too. I just gutted all 3 bedrooms this past week and lots of stuff got tossed because no one had looked at it or for it in many many months. The rest is being donated once I get it into boxes and bags.
Not a candle expert, but if you put the top on the candle after the flame is out, the candle doesn’t get dusty. The top gets dusty but the top is smooth and easier to clean than the candle.
what she said. but i probably would’ve tossed it too.
Putting the top on the candle puts it out without blowing it (and then the wax can go flying) or having to go look for a snuffer.
Head explosion…that’s a good one. I feel that way about those random pens, buttons, screws etc. that show up on the counter…I don’t however feel that way about the candle lid. I cover my candle in the kitchen to keep the dust out of it. I am a sporadic candle burner. If I didn’t cover it, the next time I decided to burn it, it would have to burn off the layer of dust first. It is way easier for me to dust the glass than the candle. 🙂 I do however, burn off the first layer of dust in the living room because those candles don’t have lids. sigh.
We must be kindred spirits!
I always throw away the candle lids. But I decided to google your question, and the lids are to keep the fragrance oils in the candle from losing it’s scent when not in use/burning… I will still continue to throw away the lids 🙂
I always use the lids to “blow” the candle out. It doesn’t put smoke in the room 🙂
only w/ glass or medal lids though
If you have decorator candles, and dust gets stuck to them, you can use an old pair of nylons (hose or kneehighs) to rub them clean.
I just tossed a bunch of nylons, but they are still in the house trash – might dig out a pair and try it!
Also nylons are good for tying up plants because they are stretchy and for a sink drainer to stop clogging pipes
I save the lids so I can store things in the jar after I have used the candle and cleaned up the jar…..
That’s what I thought they were for. But the scent/oil sounds plausable too. But I don’t use lids either. I’d reuse the jar for storage though
totally get it!! Haha! I do use the lids but I’m like that about McDonalds toys I randomly find! I smuggle them into the trash like a ninja!
Long time reader, first time commenter. I just love the head explossion explanation, i had one yesterday. My 4 year old was eating grapes and the rolled off the couch and under it, in stead off getting to it in a minute i picked the up ( and some dust bunnies because you know couch ) right then. Only took a second!
I put the lid back on the candle to both extinguish the flame & to keep the odor from stinking up the house.
Thank you for permission to throw away the candle lids. Seriously.
Thank you for not making me feel alone….I throw out every single candle lid too. Not a single lid is safe. I don’t see a purpose in them one bit lol….
I’ve got to say I tend to keep little things like this, thinking “oh I could use this in a DIY project…. ohhh, I’m sure I’ll need it in my next art project….” and then I have no room in my drawers left and have to do a huge purge of things.
I don’t buy candles without lids because I rotate my candles out and it takes me a long time to actually burn an entire candle. The ones not in use go in a closet and without lids, the closet would smell like competing scents and give me a headache when I opened it. If the lids don’t work for you, there’s no reason to worry about tossing it. I feel the same way about soy sauce packets from the Chinese restaurant—I don’t use them and never will, so into the trash they go, right away.
As others have said – lids keep the dust out of candles, but the biggest reason NOT to toss them is that they keep your candle smelling stronger longer. Without the lid the oils that make it smell good eventually dry out or dissipate and the candle will loose its fragrance.
Toss them in your donate box! Lots of folks would be glad to have them.
We use them as ashtrays out side….
I just tossed a coupl ethis week from our christmas gift candles! So funny to read your post, because I was trying to think of your tips, and was thinking would I EVER put this back on???? Or if I did feel like putting it on where whould I look for it….? Then I happily chucked it. 😀 <3
The lids are to extinguish the candle without causing that black smoke to rise and collect on your walls and ceilings. Thing is, while you burn the candle the smoke is rising and doing the same thing, but less so. So there you have it. I usually misplace the lids and can never find them when I want to extinguish my candle, so it’s probably best to just chuck them.
I don’t really use candles, but coming from the desert, I think about a lid perhaps coming in handy when transporting them- especially if they get left in a hot vehicle for any amount of time.
I have two candle lids that I have kept “just in case” … but now I can’t find the candles !!!!!
You are in my head… again. Positive thoughts that make me realize that it’s not just me. I have a soul sista! Thank you…
You are in my head. Again… thank you for reminding me I am not alone. Soul sista!
I use them as tealight holders….or ashtrays….or to put pennies in when I’m going thru the pockets of laundry. Wen its full it goes in a piggybank….
Ok, here’s a reason NOT to use the candle lid. I have a certain candle that I KOVE that they don’t make anymore. Rather than burn it, I have it sitting near the head of my bed so that I will randomly smell it when I’m lying in bed. I do the “head explosion” thing with certain clothing. When I put it on, if I am paying close attention, I can literally feel myself tense up and feel anxious. So now, rather than hang it back up, I toss it.
Love, not KOVE, lol
It’s just such a great tip, Dana.
I was just listening to the first book tonight and this topic, head explosions, came up. I had to literally lol even though this is a refresher listen. It just really struck me funny. I always thought the lid keeps the candle’s fragrance from wearing off too but that doesn’t mean that I never come across them solo!
It’s to snuff the candle and keep it clean. I wouldn’t have kept it, either, though.
I use the lid to extinguish the candle so my husband doesn’t say “I smell smoke! Is something burning?” every time I put a candle out. It also helps for large candles that I don’t burn right away to avoid a layer of flammable dust. Of course, this doesn’t explain the 2 lids I’ve been keeping for years thinking there is a candle “somewhere” missing a lid.
The lids help keep the oils strong.
I do not use lids to extinguish for that makes smoot in the jar, and discolor the wax a bit. I use a wick-dipper to dip the wick to extinguish, then I put the lid on.
However, I do not keep random lids; when the candle is done, so is the container and lid.
Dust inhibitor and I grab them to use for pattern weights when sewing.
Yes – perfect for sewing pattern weights! Also, if you do any work with beads of any kind, these glass candle lids are great for keeping beads of different colors and sizes separate while you’re working on a project. I sit them in front of me at my workspace. And the lids are heavy enough to not tip over and spill beads all over. I always keep several of these lids on hand, but only because I use them. Otherwise, I’d pull off the plastic seal from the glass portion and toss both in our recycle trash.
I burn candles a lot and usually will put the lid under the candle if it can fit. Or if not, I put beside the candle. I use the lid to extinguish the candle and it also holds in the scent. Always keep the wicks short. A couple tips for next time you receive a candle?
I have a hard time throwing the glass jars that “Glade” candles come in. I always think that there just has to be a use for them that I haven’t found and as soon as I toss all of them, I will discover it. Of course, I don’t take into account that there will always be more because I like the candles.
It’s the bloody jars that the pasta sauce comes in. They are good Mason jars, surely I shouldn’t through them out! But then, one day, I open the cupboard and see the ten good mason jars that are just THERE and I have no use for them and BOOM! head explosion! (I am getting better since we moved recently, now I let them sit on the counter for a few days instead of washing and putting in the cupboard, then get annoyed, and throw them out.
I am laughing (but want to cry) because I have one of those, somewhere. That is because I have one of everything (or so it seems). When and if I see it again, I will remember this (I hope.).