How Do You Make A Candle Wick? A Must Read Guide

Helen Skeates
Helen Skeates
18 min read

When it comes to creating candles, you can’t do it without wicks. There are a variety of commercially produced wicks available in various diameters, as well as a number of speciality wicks for candles. What if we taught you how to build a candle wick?

Making your own wicks allows you to make custom wicks for different-sized speciality candles. You can make it exactly as you want it. Follow these simple steps to make wicks for your homemade candles.

To make your own candles, you can either buy pre-made candle wicks or make your own. It is the most common type of wick that is coated with borax. A few simple materials can be used to manufacture hardwood wicks and mobile wicks.

What Are Candle Wicks?

What exactly are wicks?

There are many different ways to make wicks. Wicks can be manufactured from old T-shirt scraps, but they can also be made from braided, coated cotton strings.

Candle Wicks - How to make Candle Wicks at Home | Candle Wicks Making With Cotton Thread - YouTube

Consider the wick of a candle to be a miniature gasoline pump. Once the wick is lit, the wax in the jar begins to melt. The melted wax is drawn up by the wick and used to power the flame.

Flames can be extinguished by excess liquid wax around the wick. To prevent the flame from being smothered, make sure the wick is the proper length and that there is adequate space around it.

Finding the ideal wick for your candle’s wax and design can take some time. Look at the various candlewicks in more detail.

Different Types of Candle Wicks

Keep in mind that braided wicks outlast twisted wicks by a significant margin.

Braid your wick in the style of a friendship bracelet after mounting your cotton threads on a board. Pull and tighten the braid until it is secure. Pre-braided cotton string might also save you time.

It is the flat wick that is the most prevalent wick type. Flat wicks are made of three cotton strings neatly braided together. Additionally, when lighted, the wicks curl and break off, earning the term “self-trimming.”

Square wicks, like flat wicks, break away in the same way, except these wicks are thicker. These candles are preferred by beeswax candlemakers. Beeswax clogs more frequently than soy wax.

Rather than using a standard wick, a cored one is recommended for use in votive and devotional candles. Wicks made of cotton and metals like tin or zinc are used in these burners. They’re designed to stand on their own, but it’s difficult to make at home.

Keep things basic if you’re producing nautical-themed candles for your home. Soy wax, clear glass jars, and flat wicks are all good options.

Making Your Own DIY Candle Wick

Quality cotton string, scissors, candle wax, and tweezers are all you’ll need to make your own wick. Tweezers can be substituted with pliers in the same way.

Start by snipping your thread. The flame requires a quarter-inch of string, so be sure to measure.

Afterwards, heat your wax and dip your thread into it. Allow your wicks to cool on a counter or drying rack before reusing or repurposing them. Your personal candlewick will be ready when it’s dry!

How Do You Make A Candle Wick

Steps on How Do You Make A Candle Wick

Step #1:

The wick’s thickness and length should be determined. One wick is all you got. Three strands of twine are required for larger candles. To burn properly, larger candles may require the separation of two or three wicks.

Step #2:

Measure and cut the rope. 3″ more than the candle’s height is all you need for the wick. Cut three equal strands of rope to construct a wick.

Four inches taller than the candle’s height is a good rule of thumb. Afterwards, trim the wick to the appropriate length. Not too long, though.

Step #3:

In a mixing basin, combine the warm water, boric acid powder, and salt. As long as it takes to soak for at least eight hours, it’s fine to do so. When drying the twine, leave it in the solution for at least 48 hours.

To expedite the drying process, the wicks should be draped or hung. With time, the wicks will develop tiny white crystals that will eventually form a coating. If you’d rather not deal with them, you can simply brush them off with care.

Step #4:

Using a double boiler, slowly warm some of your chosen wax. You’ll need a lot of string or braid to wrap around. You can use any unused wax to manufacture new wicks in the future.

Step #5:

After that, the string is given a layer of varnish. For the next step, soak the twine in water for about a minute. It is not essential to soak the cord for a longer period of time because it does not “absorb” wax.

Alternatively, you can use a pair of tongs to hold the thread in place. Dip it in the wax multiple times to coat it. After that, it’s time to let the thread air dry.

Step #6:

Pulling the rope from the wax should be done with tongs to prevent damage to your fingers. Hang it to cool after letting it drip for a bit to remove any excess wax. While the wax is cooling and before it hardens, carefully straighten the wick. As a result, when the wax hardens, the lines will be straight.

Take some time for the wax to cool and firm before using it. Suppose you wish to attach a wick tab to the bottom of your wick…. Threading it through the middle aperture is conceivable. After that, crimp it firmly with needle-nose pliers. Cool and dry is the best place to store the finished wicks.

Tips for Making a Candle Wick

As with producing candles, the process of creating your wicks may require some experimentation. You may not always be able to manufacture wicks for your candles that burn properly right away. When making your own wicks, keep these guidelines in mind.

Isn’t it true that we all encounter challenges when we try anything new? The first time we accomplish something, it’s not usually ideal. Consequently, we’ve compiled this list of tips for making your own candle wick.

Tip #1:

There is no need to let the wick to completely dry after the first dip into the hot wax. If you’re manufacturing dipped candles as indicated in step six above, you’ll want to be careful. Next, just like with store-bought ones, cover the wicks with melted wax and let them dry.

Tip #2:

It is possible for single-strand wicks to be used in many different candle shapes and sizes. Before soaking, braid three or four strands of twine together to create larger or wider candles. When it comes to the wicks of candles, the larger the candle is, the thicker they tend to be.

Tip #3:

Many braided wicks are needed for large candles. Distribute the wicks in an even manner around the candle, and you’re done! Because of this, bath & body works may sell certain scented candles with three wicks.

Tip #4:

Borax powder can be substituted for the boric acid in the solution if desired. Using Borax, on the other hand, may cause the flame to take on a blue tint.

Over on eHow: Cracking the Code on How to Make Wooden Candle Wicks | 17 Apart

Candle Wicks of Various Types

Braid your wick in the style of a friendship bracelet on a wooden board. Pull and tighten the braid as you go along. You can save time by purchasing pre-braided cotton thread.

The most common wick design is the flat wick. Flat wicks are formed by tightly braiding three cotton strings. When lit, they “self-trimm” by coiling and breaking off small pieces of themselves.

In the same way as flat wicks, square wicks breakaway, but they are thicker. Candlemakers use this type of candle for beeswax candles. In comparison to beeswax, soy wax is less likely to clog drains and other plumbing fixtures.

Votive and devotional candles, on the other hand, should be made with a cored wick. These wicks are made from cotton and metals like tin or zinc. As a result of their upright design, they are more challenging to manufacture at home.

How to Choose a Candle Wick

Candle wicks can be made from cotton string, or you can use wood. It’s best to use cotton twine or cable on its own, but you can also soak it in various ingredients like oil, salt, or even produce a Borax solution, which is the most suggested method.

You should check for the following characteristics in a candle wick:

  • Maintaining a consistent amount of flame
  • Carbon deposits blooming is minimal or nonexistent.
  • Slight dripping is OK.
  • mild container temperature that remains constant

Candle wicks treated with borax are the most common, but if you don’t have access to or don’t want to produce your own borax solution, there are other materials you can use.

How to Make a Cotton Candle Wick

You can use a cotton wick in your DIY candles in a variety of ways before we get started with our Borax solution.

The following should be done:

  • 100 % cotton thread
  • Scissors
  • Salt and oil from a vegetable source

Make sure the string or twine you’re using is dye and chemical-free by using only 100 percent cotton thread or twine. If you like, you can also use linen, hemp, or jute. It’s best to avoid using wool, which has a built-in fire retardant property.

Vegetable Oil

Soak your cotton string for 20 minutes to an hour in any vegetable oil. In order to dry, hang the clothespin on a hanger or somewhere else where it can be hung. The oil-coated wick can be used again in 24 hours. Cotton wicks covered in oil will burn more slowly than uncoated cotton wicks.

Salt Solution

Cover your cotton wicks with water in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil and add 1 tablespoon of salt. After removing the wick from the boiling water, allow it to air dry for at least one night. Cotton wicks for candles can be made with simple cotton wicks that are stiffened with salt.

Borax Solution for Your Candle Wick

Earlier, I indicated that the most common type of candle wicks are cotton wicks soaked in borax. Increasing the candle’s lifespan and brightness while decreasing the quantity of ash and smoke it produces are all benefits of this technique.

Please keep pets and children away from Borax powder as it can be hazardous if inhaled or consumed. Borax makes the cotton string more durable, while kelps keep it burning steadily, both of which are good candle wick features.

A ubiquitous home commodity, borax is also known as sodium tetraborate, and it’s readily available at any supermarket or convenience store. If you’ve never heard of borax, it’s basically baking soda, but it’s more commonly used as a cleaning. Borax powder can be found in the laundry section of a store.

Starting with our cotton wick solution, let’s begin:

  • Infuse the Water with Heat

Add 1 cup of water to a small pot and bring it to a boil. Keep it warm, but don’t let it come to a rolling boil.

  • Borax and salt should be dissolved in water.

The water should be poured into a bowl and cooled. Add one tablespoon of salt and three teaspoons of Borax powder to the mixture. The mixture should be well mixed until it is entirely dissolved.

  • Cotton String can be soaked in the Solution for a few minutes before use.

For the final 24 hours, soak your cotton strings in the solution.

  • Dry the Cotton String.

Remove the cotton string with tweezers from the solution of Borax. Hang it up for 2 to 3 days to dry. Because the candle wicks soaked in Borax must be totally dry before they can be used, the drying process takes a long time.

Adding Wax Coating

A wax coating can be added to your Borax-soaked candle wicks to improve their performance. The wick can be made stiffer and simpler to handle by using candle wax. In addition, they will make it easier for the wick’s flame to catch.

Here are the steps you need to follow to coat your wick in wax:

Step 1: In a double boiler, melt the wax. Depending on how much wax you have, you can melt up to half a cup.

Step 2: Submerge the candle wick in wax after it has been soaked in Borax. Make sure the wick is completely covered in wax.

The wick must now be dried. Dip your wick at least two times into the wax to ensure a thick layer. Despite its thickness, the wick should still be pliable.

Wooden Candle Wick

Candle wicks can be made from balsa wood sticks. Any craft store should carry balsa wood sticks.

Making your own candle wick from wood is as simple as following these steps:

Make sure your candle’s container is at least 1″ taller than the length of the stick. If you’re using balsa wood, make sure the sticks are 1/2 to 1 inch diameter.

Depending on how long you have, soak the wooden stick in live oil for 20 to an hour. You may speed up and enhance your fireplace’s ability to burn with olive oil. As an added bonus, olive oil doesn’t produce any smoke or soot when burned.

Place your wooden wicks on a tray covered with paper towels and allow them to air dry. Keep your candle’s wooden wick dry before lighting it.

In order to secure the wick in place, use a wick tab. To insert the wood, pry open the metal wick tab and insert the wood end. When the wax is melted, the wick tab will hold the wood securely in place.

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind candle, consider using balsa wooden sticks. A crackling sound is made by the hardwood wick as it burns, giving your candle a truly unique look and feel.

Important Tips to Making Your Own Candle Wick at Home

  • Smaller candles can use thinner wicks, while larger candles can use thicker wicks, depending on the size of the candle.
  • Using three or four songs as a cotton wick is an option if the string is too thin.
  • In the same way as producing your own candles requires some trial and error, wick-making requires patience and perseverance.
  • Wax can be used in single-strand candles such as tea lights and tapers.

FAQs

What can be used as a candle wick?

To make candle wicks, butcher’s twine is a good starting point, but any thick cotton cord will do. Embroidery cotton, torn cotton material, or a clean shoelace with the plastic cap removed can all be used. The best results are obtained by soaking the twine for at least 24 hours.

Can you use a toothpick as a candle wick?

A toothpick is a good choice for the candlewick because it’s little and easy to work with.

Can I make a candle wick?

It’s possible to make your own candle wicks out of common household items. Homemade candle wicks can be treated with oil or salt, but cotton thread works just as well. Cotton string candle wicks produce a clean, long-lasting flame with little to no sooting.

Can you use spaghetti as a candle wick?

There’s no need to sacrifice your favorite aroma if your candles are burning too low to reach the wick. Light a strand of uncooked spaghetti instead of your fingers. Grandpa’s birthday cake candles will be lit thanks to this long-lasting candle!

How can I reuse a candle without a wick?

Make an easy hack by filling your candles with boiling water and watching it bubble up, or you can use a hot water bottle and heat it up that way. You may then simply apply pressure and see the wax come out, which you can then use as you like.

Where does the wax go when you burn a candle?

Burning candles release a lot of their own ash into the air. The wax in a candle burns to produce the light and warmth it emits. During the burning process, a portion of the wax melts, flows up the wick, and evaporates.

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Can I burn a candle without a wick?

Is a wick necessary for a candle to burn? Because of capillary action, a candle will not burn without a wick. Wax is transported to the flame via the wick, which vaporizes and burns it. The flame will continue to burn due to the evaporation of the wax, so be aware of this.

Conclusion

The process of making candle wicks necessitates careful consideration of a number of variables. It’s not as simple as wrapping a piece of thread around your pillar of flame. Isn’t it time you learned how to produce your own candle wicks?

Helen Skeates

Helen Skeates

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