Candle wicks determine a candle’s scent throw and burn time. Choosing the right wick for your candle making supplies can enhance your candle’s longevity. Here are the differences between wood and cotton wicks to help you decide which will work better for your handmade candles:
Aromatherapy Benefits
Aromatherapy candles rely on oils like lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint to create a soothing aroma. Cotton wicks may not release the full fragrance since they result in smaller melted wax pools, which limit the amount of scent diffused. Wood wicks create wider wax pools that hold more scented wax, helping to release the candle’s scent. For candles designed to disperse natural aromatherapy oils, wood wicks may allow optimal scent performance.
Burn Differences
Both wood and cotton wicks are found in candle making supply kits. Wood wicks are designed to burn, giving candles an ambient atmosphere with crackling sounds and flickering flames. The natural appearance of wood wicks complements individuals who want a rustic feel to a space. Wood wicks may be trickier for beginners, since they need trimming and positioning for an even burn. Selecting the right size and layering for the wax helps wood wicks perform well. New candle makers seeking straightforward candle making supplies may prefer starting with cotton for its ease of use and steady burn time.
Ease of Lighting
Due to their flexible composition, cotton wicks are easy to light and stay lit even in drafty settings. Wood wicks sometimes pose more challenges when lighting when the excess wick is untrimmed. Sizing wood wicks helps avoid relighting difficulties. Trimming wood wicks before every burn also promotes faster lighting. Individuals wanting wicks that are easy to light and relight may favor cotton options.
Soot Production
Wood wicks may lead to more soot due to their brighter flames. Signs of sooting include dark residue on wax surfaces or smoke when extinguishing flames. Soot particles can discolor surrounding areas over time with prolonged use. Some sooting accompanies all wax-based candles to a degree. Properly sized wood wicks help minimize sooting by decreasing the flame’s size. New candle enthusiasts prioritizing a clean burn with minimal soot may prefer cotton wicks at first for easier maintenance. More experienced candle makers can master wood wicks to balance broader flames with low soot output.
Aesthetic Appeal
Wood versus cotton candle wicks contrast in appearance, so your choice may depend on your aesthetic preferences. Clean cotton wicks are barely visible within candles, focusing attention on the wax’s texture, color, and inclusions. The larger, more visible wood wicks make for a rustic look. They complement rustic decor styles or nature-inspired themes. Their crackling sound adds to their appeal for ambient atmospheres. Cotton wicks might be more suitable for sleek, minimalist designs. If you want wicks that add visual interest to finished candles, opt for natural wood varieties.
Burn Time
Regular cotton wicks make broader wax pools but produce smaller flames, and wax is used up slowly for an extended burn time. Improperly sized large wooden wicks yield huge melting wax pools, brighter flames, and expedited wax consumption. Though wood burns longer than cotton, larger flames diminish any burn time gains by using excess wax at once. Selecting the right wick length and size for each candle size can avoid this issue. Wholesale candle supply vendors often carry different sizing options depending on what you want the burn time to be.
Purchase Quality Candle Making Supplies
Once you are familiar with wood and cotton wicks, you can try both to expand your candle making supplies. You will learn how to perfect wood wicks without excess soot. For straightforward candles with steady, strong flames, you may rely on dependable cotton wicks. Evaluate which wick aligns best with your candles’ purpose, fragrance, and aesthetic. Utilize both wood and cotton wicks to diversify your candles with different looks and burn times today.
