How can I make my own Candle Wicks?

Question

I would love to know how to make my own candle wicks at home. How can I make my own Candle Wicks?

Answer 1

Hi Diane,
Candle wicks ARE just natural twines, cotton being the most common. Jute, Linen, and even Wool have been used in different times and places.

The commercial wire core wicks today are for the convenience of stability when pouring the wax. The wire helps the wick stay centered, and in place while burning,

Old school candle makers dip the natural fiber twine, preferably braided, in the liquid wax, and let them cool to stiffen them.

Braided twines are more stable also...twisted twines may curl and not retain their profile when the candle is burning, causing the wick to droop into the wax and go out.

Cool question! Thanks, and good luck!

Answer 2

We used to make candles when we were kids.
It needs to be a heavy cotton string.
Most candle makers don't use cord as heavy as we did and the candle aren't as good as what we made. It has to be 100 % cotton and the heavier it is, the better it will burn.
I forget what it was, (it was over 40 years ago) but my mother used to grow a plant in the garden each year and it seems she would boil it down and then we would mix it into the melted wax and it kept the skeeters away.
She grew several others just for scent and they lasted forever it seemed.

Answer 3

I reckon some decent string would do it - not that plastic stuff, but the the cotton/wool fibrous kind.