How to Make a Candle Wick

Do you know you can make your own candle wicks? Yes, you can. Homemade cotton candle wicks are becoming increasingly popular. These wicks are a good alternative to store-bought wicks and produce almost the same results. I’m going to be showing you how you can make cotton candle wicks yourself. 

What You Will Need to Make a Candle Wick

• a cotton string (e.g. Butcher’s Twine)
• 2-4 tablespoonful of Borax (or Boric Acid),
• 1-2 tablespoonful of Salt,
• wax (paraffin wax, soy wax etc.),
• double Boiler,
• heat Source (a stove),
• a pair of scissors
• tongs or tweezers

The process is not difficult at all, though it might take a while to complete it. Follow closely.

1. Cut your cotton string to size. It should be a couple of inches longer than the container. You may still have to trim it when you are done.
2. Boil some water (one to one and a half cup) till it is a little warm. It should not get too hot.
3. Add your Borax and salt to the warm water.
4. Place your string in the solution and leave it for many hours. To reduce your waiting time, you may have to start the process in the night so that your string can be soaked overnight.
5. Take it out and hang it to dry completely. This may take up to two days so you have to be really patient.
6. When it dries, heat some wax in your double boiler. It should not be too much; you are not making your candle yet.
7. Soak the string in the wax for about thirty seconds to a minute.
8. Using tongs, tweezers or even pliers, remove the string from the wax and let it dry. As this happens, it will drip excess wax too.
9. Repeat the process (soak, and leave to dry) one or two more times to make it strong.
10. Allow the wax to harden and then it is ready for use.

If you would like to know how to make a wooden candle wick read this post. 

Please do not hesitate to buy our candles or candle making supplies on our website - click the pictures below!