How to Make a Candle Wick

Did you know that you can make a candle wick out of household items? In this Instructable I will demonstrate how to make a candle wick out of common household supplies. 

Step 1: Supplys

-scissors
-wax
-pliers
-cotton string

Step 2: Melting the Wax

First, cut the string to size. Then, melt the wax and soak the string in it. Finally, take out the string with the pliers and let the wick cool off.

Step 3: Finshed

Once the string has cooled off, you can put it to use in a candle.

Comments

[jaxxsinner23]

Ok im having a hard time here, what or where can u get a cotton string from?

[lavonne.catrina]

I am currently in the process of trying 100% cotton Qtips. I cut them in half (my candles will be too short) I then placed them in melted wax and let them soak a bit. I could see bubbles emerging from each end which tells me that they are absorbing the wax and quite nicely. Once I see less bubbles I will remove them and let them harden and cool. I will update this post as soon as I test them out.

[NATAStj76]

How long do you leave the string in the melted wax?

[shyy100true]

Hello I'm new to this site my name is Lisa andI'm hoping I might ask him the right question in the right context I've heard before and I don't know if this is completely true or untrue that you could make a candle look out of a toothpick or dental floss is anybody ever heard of that that was my first post thank you I enjoy your site

[mallonanna05]

I used wax melts but found the smell never lasts, I bought a few bottles of oils used them to added melted wax, pour it into the melts or candles give them a good stir and now you have the smell of your choice which also lasts longer than melts do.

[Bionicsweety]

Don't you have to use something on the bottom of the wick to make the wick stay?

[Big blue bull]

There are a few more steps to make a wick that burns more evenly and slowly, I recommend only using cotton. This person made a nice set of instructions: https://candles.lovetoknow.com/Homemade_Candle_Wicks

[nina.szikszai]

Maybe dont use wire, just string

[nina.szikszai]

Do you have to use wax melts or can you use just wax crayons

[Julierenae]

What else can u use besides cotton string

[Artistmom123]

https://youtu.be/XrflifL2dH4
I learned this tip many years ago. Please don’t use wire or synthetic materials. Those metals and plastics are then in the air you are breathing. I have stopped using paraffin candles inside the home and only burn my old unhealthy candles on the patio. Here is a tip; Place your old burned-down jarred candles on a cookie sheet in a very low oven and allow to melt. Use this old wax to create “new” candles or, you can add citronella oil to an old jarred candle to which you have added a new wick. You can also pour that old wax “sludge” into cardboard egg cartons to make dandy fire starters. Hope this helps!

[2026mazure]

I used acrylic yarn will that work

[ironsmiter]

if you want to be super wick master, a thin piece of wire run in the cotton thread before waxing, wil give it that stiffness you've come to expect from commercial wicks

[QueenC4]

Would also works well it is taking it to the top of the inside of your freezer it hardens quickly take a shish kabob stick and put a piece of tape at the top of the wick put the stick over the Mould or whatever year making a candle in put over the top of it

[Frugal Girl]

Hi, do you have an instructable on that? I made wick today- about a meter in length. It's quite rigid but always interested in other ideas.

[ironsmiter]

No ible on that... but it is so super simple, you will probably laugh.

Take a piece of florist wire(or any other thin, stiff wire), slightly sharpen one end, and skewer the cotton wick onto it.

3 foot long wick? that is probably a little beyond what i would call a wick. Unless you are making a candle to power a lighthouse!
If it is not for a candle.... although you CAN make it yourself, you are probably better off ordering it from someplace like http://www.seriousjuggling.com/kevlar-fire-wick.htm

[Frugal Girl]

The long wick is chopped into 1 inch lengths and used in either spent tea light wick holders or a homemade wick holder.

I like the idea of the sharpened wire, thank you!

[ironsmiter]

https://www.instructables.com/id/Make-an-oil-burning-candle/step3/
If you didn't want to reuse the tealight base.
I've added a quick 3 image Paperclip wick. In the final image, you can see the very tip of the metal sticking out of the yarn.

Metal twist ties(like off of a bag of bagels) work even better. the wire is much thinner, but still plenty stiff. An added bonus for tea lights is, the metal conducts the heat, melting the wax better.

[Frugal Girl]

Yes, I like this- similar to what I do- in my instructables. A friend has just devised another floating wick using a tea light cup (minus the tea light) as a boat- he has two versions- one is you make a hole in the base- pushing a sharp pointed tool through from the bottom without turning the tea light cup over- doing it this way means that after you insert your wick you can use your fingers or pliers to crimp the hole closed. The other one he does is still using the tea light holder as a boat but he attaches the springs from clothes pegs to the edges, he has maybe two or three then he can burn three wicks.
All the photos are on my group- you're most welcome to join and share your ideas
https://www.facebook.com/groups/326267467511640/

[Bret16]

Will any glass container do or does it have to be special hardened glass ?