Candle Wicks

Color, shape, fragrance, and overall appearance is what we look for when we buy a candle. But, these are not the only things that make the perfect candle. If you ask any candle maker, he would say that it's a wick that makes the candle. After all, it's the candle wicks that makes the candle do its primary job efficiently, that is, burning to lit up the surroundings. Wicks are nothing but cords or strings that hold the flame of the candles by drawing or wicking the wax or fuel to the flame based on the capillary action. The size, diameter, stiffness, fire-resistance, and tethering, etc. determines the amount of fuel that would be drawn to the flame. Wicks are generally made of fiber materials that are coated with wax to provide the initial wax source when the candle is lit. There are different types of candle wicks for sale that are bought for different purposes considering the size, shape, fragrance, and material of the candle. To know more about different types of wicks, read on...

Types of Candle Wicks

Given below are some of the common and popular types of wicks that are used in different types of candles that provide the candle with a different burning result:

Flat: This type of wicks are commonly used in pillar and taper candle making. Flat wicks are generally plaited or twisted and are known to burn consistently. While burning, they curl back to flame and consume their own self.

Square: This type of wicks are more sturdy and are self consuming as well. They are commonly used in beeswax candles as they also control blocking of the wick that is caused by certain pigments or fragrances.

Cored: Core wicks are essentially the stiff wicks that have a round cross section that holds the flame straight. The core material is generally made of zinc, tin, cotton, or paper. They too are braided or knitted and are generally found in jar candles or devotional lights, etc.

Oil: Candle wicks for oil candles are made with a special purpose. They are made in a different fashion to meet the requirements of oil candles. Generally they are used in oil lamps that may have different sizes and shapes.

Twisted Wicks: These are one of the most lowest quality wicks. Because due the loose construction they burn very fast as the wax reaches the flame faster but this type of wicks are widely used in birthday candles where burning for longer period is not essential.

Well, these were some of the types of wicks. Now, let's see how you can make wicks at home.

How to Make Candle Wicks?

To make them, you will need:

• Table Salt
• Borax
• Scissors
• Cotton Kite Strings or Twine or Yarn
• Cloth Pins and Lines
• Paper Clips
• Binder Clips
• Old Newspaper

Once you get all the materials, you shall start with the actual process:

• Take one and half cup of water and make it warm.
• Add 2 table spoons of table salt and 4 table spoons of borax in it.
• Take a long cotton string, twine, or yarn. Make sure to cut the string in to the length that is four to six inch longer than the candle you wish to make.
• Soak it in the above mixture for fifteen minutes.
• Now, wait till the string is completely dry.
• Once the string is completely dry, prepare the solution of a melted wax.
• Now dip the string in melted wax four times with the help of a paper clip until its completely saturated with wax.
• Remove them from the wax and pull them tight and dip into the water again.
• Then lay them on the wax paper and dab away the excess moisture with the help of a paper towel.
• Let them dry thoroughly and later you can store them in a rolled newspaper.

You see how easy it is to make candle wicks at home. You can experiment with different knitting and plaiting patterns and use more fiber bundles to make different types of wicks. So get ready to start your own candle making business and design some beautiful candles.