Wooden wicks haven’t been around long, maybe a half-decade, yet wood wicks vs. cotton wicks for candles are a heated subject.
Which is better for candles: wood or cotton wicks? It depends on where you’ll burn the candle. Wooden wicks won’t work well outside, but they’re wonderful for inside scent throw. Cotton wicks fit candle wicks well.
This article compares the two and discusses which wick is ideal for different candles.
Cotton Wicks
Braided cotton creates cotton wicks. Compressed and dipped in wax to maintain form. Cotton wicks are cheaper and easier to maintain than wood.
Cotton wicks are often braided flat and self-consuming. They need no trimming. Before these wicks, people trimmed candle wicks using scissors.
Cotton candle wicks can be stiffened to stand further out of molten wax. Copper wire stiffeners are used. Due to lead poisoning concerns, lead has been outlawed. Synthetic fibers and paper stiffen.
Cotton wicks are flame-resistant. This is Mordanting. The flame would soon consume the untreated wick. Pre-treating wicks with salt and borax can increase flame colour and brilliance.
Which Wick Type is Cleanest-Burning ?
Cotton and wood wicks are simple to ignite when initially lit. Wooden wicks are harder to relight and require more attention. They illuminate in 20 seconds.
Some candle makers attach many wood wicks to prevent this. Other firms use accelerants to keep their hardwood wicks lit. It’s difficult to determine if the accelerant or adhesive is safe to breathe when burnt with a candle.
If you pick the correct wick, both can burn neatly. Single-ply wood or 100% cotton wicks are best.
Sustainable and eco-friendly candles require eco-friendly wax. Check out my guide on candle wax.
Wood And Cotton Wicks Poisonous?
100% cotton or single-ply wood wicks burn without toxins. Wax kind is crucial. Non-natural waxes like paraffin are carcinogenic.
Wood wicks burn cleaner than cotton wicks because cotton wicks might contain lead and are treated with chemicals to inhibit their burning.
Which Candle Wick Is Best?
This depends on the candle’s purpose and location. Outdoors or in a draught, use something other than wooden wicks. They’re more prone to blow out in a breeze. Once blown out, they’re hard to relight.
Cotton candle wicks do better outside, although they can be unpredictable and burn faster.
Wooden wicks throw more aroma indoors than cotton wicks. The wick burns lower, likely. With a low, burning wick, wax heats around the wick.
Cotton wick candles have larger flames, so they burn scent rapidly. Cotton wicks produce a powerful burn and are less fragrant following burns.
Wooden wicks offer a lower, horizontal flame that heats candles faster. This wick warms scents faster despite burning lower and slower.
Conclusion
Wooden wick smell throw is pure and deep. The horizontal, crackling flame is fantastic. Wood wicks are a sustainable and environmentally-friendly candlewick material if used properly.
Wooden wicks shouldn’t be bonded or chemically changed. You can only be sure harmful substances are utilized.
Cotton wicks still have a role in the candle market, especially outdoors, where hardwood wicks suffer.
Never choose a candle based on its candlewick. If you’re worried about chemicals and carcinogens, investigate the wax used. Paraffin is toxic to burn, although it’s typically coupled with hardwood wicks since they operate better.
Consider these qualities while choosing a candle:
- Is it coconut, palm, or soy wax?
- Is phthalate-free?
- Is it Non-toxic?
- Is cotton wick lead- and zinc-free?
If you need clarification about which wick to choose, acquire a similar candle to compare. Each wick type has advantages and disadvantages. There’s no incorrect or right solution; compare both and choose one.
