Electricity or not, candles have been an important source of light to our homes. We use it every now and then, even for aesthetic purposes.
Well, the great thing is that you can make your candle by yourself. However, one thing you’ll have to decide on is what you use as your candle wick.
Are you thinking of using yarn? Well, we’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ll explain whether you can use yarn as a candle wick.
Read: Does wax melts evaporate?
Is it Possible to Use Cotton Yarn as a Candle Wick?
As you can see, the wick plays an essential role in a brightly burning candle. As such, you must use an excellent material to make a wick.
So, is cotton yarn PERFECT for a candle wick? Very much. Cotton yarn will make a good candle wick. Even more, cotton yarn is a good material for candle wick as it does not have harmful chemicals that may vaporize. So, you should enjoy a great burning experience with yarn as your candle wick.
However, to make a candle wick from yarn, you must ensure that the cotton thread is entirely cotton. You must also be sure that the yarn is free from dye and bleach.
You can then soak the cotton twine in water, boric acid, and salt-based solution. This way, your wick gets stronger and burns solidly.
Also, you’ll need your yarn wick to be six inches more than the candle. This way, your candle burns great.
What Does a Candle Wick Do?
Before deciding what material to use as a candle wick, what exactly does the wick do?
The wick is that string in the midpoint of a candle. Contrary to what you may think, the wick is not what creates the candle flames. Instead, when you light a wick, it melts and vaporizes the candle wax. The vapor is what causes and maintains the flame.
Nevertheless, the wick is one of the most vital parts of a candle. Without it, there would be no light from your candle. So, your wick is what holds the flames. Or better, what starts up the lighting process?
How Do You Make a Candle Wick Last Longer?
Candle wicks tend to burn out. When they do, that will be the end of the candle. However, you want to use a candle for as long as possible.
So, are you wondering how to ensure your candle wick lasts longer? Here are a few ways.
1. Trim the Wick Frequently
It is advisable to trim your candle wick regularly. A candle burns out faster if the wick is very long. Always make sure to trim the wick after you use the candle.
Specifically, the length of the candle wick should be about 1/8 inch. Trimming will not only make it last longer but will also prevent black smoke.
2. Do Not Put Candles in the Way of Air Currents
Avoid placing your candle in the direction of fans, wind, or air conditioners. Excess air can make the candle burn irregularly, and this affects the candle wick. The wick will become longer and cause the candle to burn more quickly.
So, avoid air currents.
3. Burn a New Candle for at Least 2 Hours
If you get a new candle, do not let it burn for a very short period. A new candle, lit for the first time, should burn depending on its diameter.
You should at least let your new candle burn for an hour per inch. Burning for a short time will cause the wax around to wick to be uneven. This situation usually results in a candle tunnel.
With a candle tunnel, the wick will lie beneath, and the wax will not burn. The candle life will be shortened this way. On the other hand, burning for a reasonably long time allows the candle to be even. In turn, this ensures your wick lasts longer.
4. Prevent the Wax from Rubble
Usually, placing rubble close to your candle causes your bundle to burn unevenly. All this dirt and matchsticks eventually cause your candle to burn faster.
However, when your candle is free from dirt, they burn evenly. In turn, this ensures your candle wick lasts longer.
5. Do Not Burn the Candle for Too Long
A candle should not be made to burn for too long. It is recommended that the candle be turned off after burning for 4 hours.
However, before switching it off, you must allow your candle to cool for at least two hours. This way, you will prevent carbon from acting on the wick.
In turn, this stops your candle from burning too fast. This is because when carbon acts on your candle wick, it may become lopsided and burn excessively.
What Candle Wax Lasts the Longest?
Making a good candle depends on the quality of the wax. Several materials can be used to make candle wax. These include paraffin, beeswax, palm wax, gel candle wax, granulated wax, and soy wax.
However, of this variety of candle wax, beeswax is the most long-lasting candle wax.
Beeswax, as the name applies, comes from honeybees. It is a 100% natural wax, and it is one of the best types of candle wax. Even more, it is environmentally friendly. Also, beyond lasting long, beeswax does not emit a foul smell.
You might be wondering why beeswax lasts this long. Well, it is because of its high melting point and high-density level. Beeswax has a melting point of 149° Fahrenheit. This melting point also lets it burn brightest.
The density of beeswax also means that it will burn slower, and there will be less drip with your wax. One good thing about beeswax is that the properties remain the same regardless of where the beeswax comes from. Nevertheless, beeswax may be quite complicated to create because of its high melting point.
Another very long-lasting wax material is soy wax. It does not last as long as beeswax, but it is relatively easy and cheap to create. Soy wax is also a completely natural wax. It comes from hydrogenated soybean oil and is also suitable for the environment.
How Do You Make Candles Burn Slower?
It is always hard to see your candle burn out completely. When this happens, you may be forced to get a new one. However, there are some easy ways to make your candle burn longer.
1. Put Your Candle in a Freezer to Toughen the Wax
Candles melt slower when the wax is hard. It is advisable to put candles in the refrigerator to harden the wax. This process may take about a day or two in the fridge or 2-8 hours in the freezer. The time spent in the refrigerator largely depends on the thickness.
2. Trimming the Candle Wick for Longer Burn
Shorter wicks make a candle burn slower. To keep the wick shorter, trim the wick when the wick and wax have cooled from burning. The recommended length is usually 1/8 inches.
3. Correct the Wick’s Position Whenever It Moves Out of Place
Always ensure to adjust the wick when it becomes crooked or bends. If the candle burns with a bent wick, it may cause the candle to burn unevenly. And this may cause your candle to burn fast.
So, ensure you adjust your wick each time it gets bent. You can always do it when it gets cool.
4. Add Table Salt to the Wax
When you turn off the flames from your candle, you can sprinkle salt around the pool melted wax on the candle. Doing this will make the candle’s melting rate slower. You should ensure you apply salt quickly before the wax hardens.
Read: Do wax melts smoke?
How to Make Candle Wicks Stand up?
Candle wicks are prone to bending every time they burn. As you must already know, bending may cause the candle to burn unevenly. When this happens, it is vital to adjust and straighten the candle wick.
Repeating this process whenever the candle is lopsided can be very tough. Here’s some good news. There are actual ways to make the candle wick stand and stay up. These options depend on how you use your candle.
If you use a votive, you may consider using the wick pin. The wick pin holds the wick firmly in the center of the candle. It also allows you to add other wick materials to the candle.
You could also use wick clips for votive candles. You can attach these clips to your candle’s base to keep the wick straightened from that position.
For candles in jars, you can hold the wick with glue. A wick bar can also keep the wick in shape at the top of the candle.
Other tips include regularly trimming the candle. Shorter wicks are more likely to stand straighter. You should also prevent debris from the candle as this may alter the burning of the wax and wick.
What to Do with the Candle When the Wick is Gone?
Is your candle entirely useless after the wick burns out? This critical question always arises when all that’s left of your candle is wax. Many people think that’s the time to dispose of your candle. However, there are a lot of things you can do with your candle. Here are seven things you may try with your candle wax.
1. Make a New Wick
If your wick is entirely gone, you can add a new one to the candle. Melt the candle wax, hold a wick into a container, and mold the candle wax around it. When it forms, you have your candle ready to use, with a new wick.
2. Make a New Candle
Making a new candle is simple. You just have to melt the existing wax, add more candle wax if you wish, and fix a new wick into the center.
3. Use the Wax for Other Purposes
You don’t have to make another candle if you don’t want to. You can divert the wax into other useful purposes. You can melt the wax and use it as an adhesive or as a lubricant.
4. Fire Starter
Your wax can be a good fire starter. You can add it to your fireplace, and it will give off a lovely scent.
Which Other Items Can Be Used as a Candle Wick?
Candle wicks can be made from many materials. Even though cotton is the most popular material, you can make homemade candles from various other materials. Check out a list of materials you can apply to make candle wick.
1. Wood
Wood is one of the most used alternatives to cotton wick. Already processed wood like toothpick may be used as a wick. Twines from trees could also serve as a suitable wick. Wood also has a natural ability to burn, making it a suitable choice.
To make a wooden candle wick, soak the wood in olive oil. Afterward, pour the candle wax into a container while holding the wood at the center.
2. Borax
You can also make candle wicks from borax. Borax is a powdery substance popularly used as a cleaning material. You can make borax wicks by dissolving salt and borax into boiling water.
Afterward, soak twine into the borax solution and leave it to dry. Add melted wax to the twine, and you have a fully formed borax candle wick.
3. Butcher’s Twine
Butcher’s twine also works well as a candle wick. To get a good butcher’s twine, you may add borax or simply add wax to the twine to get a fully formed candle.
4. Paper
Paper is also a perfect substitute for cotton wicks. From paper towels to newspapers, paper material can be rolled to form a wick. The paper, however, needs to be long enough and thick enough for the candle wax.
Final Thoughts
Having a candle always comes in handy. Candles can add a new touch to your dinners and baths. You could also celebrate memorable events with them. While you put all these in mind, you should also consider what type of candle you want and how to put it into efficient use. This article helps with that and also makes sure you have a fuller experience.